BALANCE POSES FOR ANXIETY & TRAUMA
For beginners to Yoga for Anxiety and Trauma balance poses help to build body awareness (proprioception and interception). When a balance pose is steady and calm it will help build a sense of personal power. When practiced with equanimity they can be a personal exploration into criticism and a gateway to developing self-compassion.
Play around with poses that are tippy but not completely unstable. Notice how weight shifts from one part of your foot (knee and hand in Cakra balance). Do you have a tendency to fall to one side or the other?
Eagle
EAGLE
CATEGORY - Touchstone Pose
LEVEL - 1/2
CORE QUALITIES - COMING SOON!
MODIFICATIONS -
Practice against the wall for support with balance (shown). Alternatively stand away from the wall and have the toe from the upper leg on the ground for balance.
Use Garuda Mudra (shown) or bring hands to shoulders.
Advanced option - hook the top foot behind the calf of the standing foot only.
Tulya Balance
tulya balance
CATEGORY - Touchstone Pose
LEVEL - Beginner
CORE QUALITIES - COMING SOON!
MODIFICATIONS -
Keep toe down instead of lifting it off the ground.
CAKRA BIRD POSE
CAKRA BIRD POSE
CATEGORY - Balance Pose
LEVEL - Beginner/1
CORE QUALITIES - COMING SOON!
MODIFICATIONS -
Keep toe down instead of lifting it off the ground.
Use a blanket under your knees if they are tender.
Warrior 2
warrior 2
CATEGORY - Balance Pose
LEVEL - 1/2
CORE QUALITIES - COMING SOON!
MODIFICATIONS -
Keep toe down instead of lifting it off the ground.
Extends arms overhead and place them on a wall, counter or hip level surface and
Extend arms to the sides or out in front.
TREE POSE
CATEGORY - Balance Pose
LEVEL - 1/2
CORE QUALITIES - COMING SOON!
MODIFICATIONS -
Keep toe down with heel on the ankle of the standing foot.
Place sole of the foot on the calf of the standing leg.
Place either a hand or the bent knee on a wall for support.
Bring hands overhead.
ADVANCED VERSION - place hand on the inside of the bent knee and lean your torso over over to that side.