Beauty Through Poise and Balance

What is it about Hatha (physical)Yoga that always pulls me back into its structured routine of exercises whenever I drift away? When done properly it feels like a ballet where each movement is done with grace and poise. I have always admired women of any age who move, gesture, walk, sit, and stand with natural grace and poise. Before I began yoga and meditation, I attempted magnetic and radiant poise with a book on my head as I walked around attempting dignified movements. You cannot copy or impose grace upon yourself. It must flow naturally with a fluid rhythm from the center of your being. 

When you practice Yoga, poise, balance, grace, and a beautiful carriage emerge naturally. You don’t have to remind yourself to straighten your shoulders before entering a room or to not slump in a chair or cross your legs, which cuts off good circulation. Stiffness of the joints and limbs at any age inhibits poise and good posture. In time you see less discomfort through stretching exercises. The slow-motion, “ballet-type” routines impart a strong sense of rhythm and balance. These qualities are carried over into all of our daily activities, and even though they are subtle, others notice, especially when in a changing room and friends are falling against the wall as you hold your balance while slipping into a new outfit.

Whenever I can convince my husband to do Yoga with me, the routines become a comedy act as he stumbles, groans, and complains about each movement. If he sticks with it for a week, I see a more flexible man, physically and mentally, and that is the beauty of Hatha Yoga.