The Monkey Mind, A Balancing Act

By Elizabeth Brotz

At the start of this year, I made a commitment to practice yoga regularly. I was coming off a few injuries in 2024 and at first, it was just about movement — stretching, strength, and maybe a little stress relief. Over the past few weeks, however, I’ve remembered that yoga has an equal effect on my mind as it does on my body.

Admittedly, I haven’t practiced regularly in over a decade and a lot has changed since then. But, I’m beginning to find my balance again. Of course, holding a challenging pose requires strength and flexibility. It also requires me to stay present, breath through some minor discomfort and/or know when to adjust, and learn to steady myself when things shift unexpectedly.

Most importantly though, yoga has been a reminder that life isn’t always about pushing harder. It’s about knowing where I want to give my energy and moving there with intention.

We all have different ways of staying grounded, whether it’s through exercise, a favorite hobby, or simply taking a moment to pause on a busy day. What helps you stay balanced?

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