Chapter 5 - The Idea of Balance
We distinguish between two kinds of balance, static balance and dynamic balance. The static balance is the state in which the forces acting on a body neutralize themselves so that the body stays indefinitely in the same position, until a new force disturbs this state of balance. Dynamic balance, on the other hand, results from a harmonious balance of forces, in the execution of work, for instance, in such a way that the maximum efficiency results from a minimum of expenditure of energy.
Apart from this we must make a distinction between stable and unstable balance, two terms which explain themselves. We finally distinguish between a natural and and unnatural balance. Of all the different kinds of balance an animated body can assume, only a few are compatible with its vital functioning and there is only one which enables it to function under the best possible conditions. This is the state of natural balance. A potted plant will always grow in a vertical direction towards the light, no matter how often you change the position of the pot.
Animals also have a state of natural balance in which they live in conformity with their nature. In the vertebrate, the normal balance is conditioned by the position of the spinal column. In man the spinal column is vertical. The vertical posture distinguishes man from the other mammals, while, rather strangely, it makes him resemble plants.
The three main postures a human body can assume are the standing, sitting and lying position. The problem of balance becomes particularly complicated in the standing position. The problem of balance in this position is, at best, precarious, and the maintenance of the balance implies an expenditure of force with corresponding fatigue. Animals, thanks to their quadrilateral suspension are favoured by better balance, whether in movement or in repose. Animals seem to know instinctively how to assume positions of stable equilibrium. The cat, for instance, is a marvel of balance in any position. If man ever possessed the balancing instinct, he has by now lost most of it. Although there are individual differences, man in general seems to stand in a position of permanent instability. This stabilizing effort may well be at the root of much nervous fatigue and influence the moral and mental attitude of many people. The measure of individual stability can very well be taken in standing and walking, both eyes closed. The longer you can stand or walk this way, the better your natural balance. The re-education of our natural sense of balance is important from the standpoint of better mental health and working efficiency.
The human skeleton is an architectural marvel in its perfect stability, provided that in every attitude, the relative positions of the various elements correspond to their natural purpose. The weakness of the skeleton resides in the mobility of these articulations. This flexibility is necessary, but we make use of it more or less adroitly, as is shown by the frequency of bad posture.
As we have seen, the natural balance of the human body follows, like that of the plants, a vertical direction. More exactly, in order that perfect balance is to be achieved, the axis of gravity must pass through the body following a straight line through the top of the head and the "mula", the root between the legs. This is the ideal posture. When the upper part of the body leans forward, or when the shoulders sag, the balance is disturbed and with it also the balance of the internal organs. Instead of being maintained in their natural place by means of their weight alone, like the materials of a well constructed wall, they are kept in place through unconscious muscular contractions with corresponding loss of energy. Bad posture is often the cause of diseases of these organs. In order to re-establish perfect balance and posture, it is often sufficient to turn the palms of the hands frontward or outward, as in this way, the axis of gravity follows the straight line mentioned above.
One of the primary conditions of good heal resides in good posture, the naturally balanced posture for which our body has been constructed. A certain amount of effort and patience is needed to correct bad habits of posture. Whether standing or sitting, we should keep in mind the importance of correct posture and rectify it. Soon we will do so quite unconsciously. Good habits are formed as easily as bad ones. To achieve a correct body posture in a very short time, it is a good idea to stand and walk for a while with the palms of the hands turned frontwards. You will notice immediately that everything "falls into place", so to speak, that the biceps also are turned outward, and that the elbows turn backward and rest easily on the side of the body. Since the wrists are very flexible, you can turn them any way you like, once the correct, natural posture is well understood, without changing the position of the arms, so that the biceps remain forward and the elbows to the back.
Perfect Posture
In this natural posture, a real effort is needed to bend the upper part of the body or the shoulders. The straight, vertical and well balanced posture, once taken, is easily recognized as the normal one, and one which corresponds with the least effort and the least fatigue. In action as in repose, it imparts elasticity and elegance to the body.
Children should be taught the habit of correct posture from a very early age, so that later on they will assume it naturally and as by instinctive reflex action. The same is true in the practice of any sport. All movements executed in a position of unstable balance are decidedly harmful to the body. Many a record would be beaten if this primordial condition of balance were respected.
One of the first Hatha Yoga exercises is intended to re-educate the natural instinct of balance. Like most of the Yoga exercises, it is a posture, a position which, once assumed, must be maintained for a certain length of time. It is called "tree posture" because the person performing it resembles a tree in outline. In this position we stand on one foot and the problem of balance is therefore before us in its most difficult form. The mastery of this exercise will automatically insure perfect balance.
The exercise of the tree posture is most easily carried out by placing oneself near a table on which to lean, if necessary. In standing on the right foot we assume to begin with the correct posture on two feet, as described above; we thereupon support ourselves lightly with the left hand at the table, slowly lifting the left knee, so that the leg will stand out diagonally. Now seize your left foot with your right hand and place it high upon the right leg. Now let go of the table and, with elbows on body, join your hands in front of the chest as is done in praying. You maintain this position for as long as you can and then change legs.
In doing this exercise, the body should be maintained as much as possible in the line of gravity. The posture seems simple, but is not so easy to assume correctly, although with a little patience and good humour, you will soon succeed. As soon as this is the case, you can vary in it holding the hands above the head, or sideways, bending the body backward, forward and sideways, without losing your balance. The foot is to be changed each time and you can also pracise the tree posture with eyes closed.
As is the case with all Yoga exercises, the tree posture does not demand as much of an immediate effort as western "setting up" exercises do. They rather require patience and attention. This is one of the reasons why Yoga exercises will leave you with a sensation of calm and well-being.
The tree posture has been devised to give back to you the lost instinct of balance and a sense of physical poise, soon accompanied by an equal sense of mental poise.
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