ach week as I meet with clients, hang out with  friends and  family or even when having  light conversations in daily life, there seems to be an on-going theme:  How do we find balance in life? We are all busy with work, kids, partners, families, school,  volunteering, exercise, social engagements, business events,  household chores, sports, remodels, pets, doctors appointments, book club, shopping, elderly parents, grandchildren ….on and on and on.  I am sure you could add to this list.  How often do you think (or say out loud?)  “I can’t get everything done.” or “there’s only so many hours in the day.” or “I  feel like I am neglecting __________”.  It’s frustrating.  It’s exhausting. It’s stressful.  We KNOW this, yet we do it over and over again, week after week.

In yoga, we often talk about finding balance in our bodies, minds and spirits.  It’s something that takes awareness and practice. Balance is something that we mindfully create for ourselves and our lives, so that we can be happier, more focused and productive, and have a greater sense of well being.

What does a balanced life look like to you?

Make a list of the things you would like in your life that are missing right now. These are things that you know will bring you joy, peace and inner and outer health, but you just don’t seem to get to them. Keep this list where you can see it every day.   Maybe you could make a Vision Board of pictures that represent the things that you would like to bring in to your daily/weekly life.

Do I have your attention yet?

Your feet bear all your weight. If your feet are out of alignment, your whole body is out of alignment.  A habitual turnout of your feet indicates weak inner thighs with stronger outer thighs. Do you have chronic soreness of the PIRIFORMIS? (this is the deep buttock muscle that helps rotate the hip to turn the leg out)  When the Piriformis is overused, it can spasm and create sciatica.

The good news is……..these are imbalances that you can FIX!

Try this:  Stand in front of a full length mirror.  Note how your feet naturally landed.  Are they aligned, or in the V-shape?

** Now try this:  Position your feet about 1 1/2-2 fist widths between your arches.  Spread your toes wide and check to see that they are facing forward, then be sure that you are equally weighting all 4 corners of your foot (like a brick):  the big toe and little toe, the inner heal and the outer heal.  Stand tall and see that your legs are under the hips, and energetically rotate the thigh bones out to bring your knees into alignment.  How does this feel?  Now try walking, as though straight ahead, taking shorter steps if you have a long stride.  Stop, and check your foot position again.

Bringing awareness to your posture, your stance and your gait is key.  Practice.  At first it will feel very strange, but eventually, you will have adopted a new, healthier habit and your body will be in better balance!!