I have patience to sit and listen to people’s stories, I read long articles on line, But when it comes to wait few seconds for an app to open or for the bus to come - I have none.
I can be in a meditative calm state of mind and light incense sticks but a minute earlier I was throwing things or screaming to my fist because of something stupid.
I am a pacifist and a Buddhist I believe in love and peace, but some moments I feel so angry I have no compassion, just resentment.
I am mostly introvert but also very social and love spending time with people.
I feel like I have these contradictions in my personality and in life in general for a reason.
What they teach me is to be balanced.
I am sure you also experience these in your life from time to time. In every Ideology we have, we can find the opposite hiding beneath our believes too. They can live together, as long as you are balanced; In your mind, in your opinions, in your health, in your moods. Balance is a key part of our life, we eager to have life/work balance, we aspire to spend a balanced amount of time with our loved ones, with ourselves and for efficient causes. Balanced is to be open minded and learn to see both sides of every situation (or more if there are). Balanced is to eat healthy and well but know that it is fine to indulge from time to time. Balanced is not taking everything so serious :)
You know the body shift energy and can attribute to this feeling of balance, and it is great! We can integrate balance into our practice.
When you concentrate in Warrior 3 for example, you are in the pose, In the moment, Balance postures teach us to live the present moment. If we distract ourselves even for one second! We stumble.
In every balance posture you do, think about the Starting point of distribution, stand in Mountain pose and feel your center, horizontal and perpendicular.
Then shift your body into the pose with awareness to how the balance center point changes!
We actually have the element of balance in a lot of yoga postures: lunges, triangle, standing twists, arm balances, even in side stretches (sitting and standing).
Every time you are in a pose –think about spreading your weight over between all sides of the body, all limbs involved. In Hatha Yoga it is mostly about pulling energy to 2 different directions in a lot of the postures. Hatha is also translated as ha meaning “sun” and tha meaning “moon.” This refers to the balance of masculine aspects—active, hot, sun—and feminine aspects—receptive, cool, moon—within all of us. We also learn to balance our effort and surrender in each pose.
Balancing yoga postures are: Eagle pose, tree pose, extended hand to big toe pose, Half moon pose, lord of the dance, Side plank, handstand, shoulder-stand, warrior 3.
So step onto the mat, and bring balance to your life.
** Pictures above are from the book "Yoga anatomy" by leslie kaminoff.
** Here is a nice track to listen to while you're working on your balance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRrIAqCdjCI