BALANCE POSES

We come to balance from two approaches, an external and internal approach. The idea of an internal/external approach to balance is comparable to the internal and external styles of martial arts taught in the West. Internal styles focus on the flowing movement of energy using the mind and concentration, while external styles focus on the doing, the physical body of muscle and bone which make the moves. Eventually, the internal and external paths will meet in the middle, in the center, which is CobraBalance.

For an internal approach to balance, we use the Alexander Technique, Chi Kung and creative visualization to release patterns of holding in the body that, if unchecked, prevent us from reaching a natural state of equilibrium. Externally, we put our body into the prescribed balance poses repeatedly until our muscles strengthen and our body feels the balance necessary to hold the pose. As my sensei would say, perfect practice makes perfect. We start with easy poses on flat ground and increase the challenge gradually to non-stable surfaces such as a sandy beach, a Bosu Ball and, ultimately, a slack line.