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Balancing Yoga Poses Falling Apart? Do this.

Oct 15, 2024

My body tilted right... and then bolted to the left. I felt out of control and was pretty sure I was going to crash into the person practicing in seemingly perfect stillness right next to me. 

I was at the front of a mirrored room and there was no way that no one saw the mess that was my Eagle Pose that day. 

I just couldn't hold onto it. 

And, I wish I had known then what I knew now because I could have fixed it in just a few short moments of that class and saved myself from feeling like I was going to topple over during every single balancing posture that asked me to trust my somewhat tricky left leg. 

So, if you already have a great handle on your Pada Bandha, or foot lock, but STILL have issues with balancing poses, I have a quick tip for you today that will change everything. 

But, before we dig in, I want to talk with you about your Soleus Muscles. 

These muscles are calf muscles that are located underneath your gastrocnemius muscles and is responsible for pointing the foot downward, an action called plantar flexion. The soleus is active almost constantly when standing, and it provides much of the torque needed to maintain an upright position, designed to stop the body from falling forward. 

So, if your soleus muscle is fatigued, or tight, it can effect your balance in these one-legged yoga poses. 

Above in the video, I explain how to work through a simply self-myofascial release technique that you can do to help you improve your balance. Do this before your practice if this is a known common issue for you, or use it as needed. 

Here is the breakdown of what to do: 

1. Grab a self myofascial release ball or make a fist and use your knuckles to massage your soleus on the outside, lateral line of your leg. 

2. Move up and down massaging the area, noticing if there are any tender, crunchy or tight areas. If you find a spot that feels just plain different, stop and pin and hold for 5 breaths, putting light pressure on the area. 

3. After 5 breaths massage this point moving with the muscle grain (up and down) for another 5 breaths. 

4. Then massage at the same point moving against the muscle grain (side to side) for another 5 breaths. 

That's it! 

Try out a balancing yoga pose and see if you can control your balance even more than before. 

Let me know how it goes and if this is a win for you! 

And, stay tuned to this place as I have even more balance hacks coming your way later this week. 

I hope this serves you well today! 

Big Hugs, 

Tori