Balance

Balance…no, I don’t actually mean standing-on-one-leg balance, although I do intend to use it as a metaphor, so stay tuned! I’m talking about balance in our lives to optimize our productivity, our performance, our power, as well as our resilience, our recovery and our rejuvenation (yes, I mean becoming young again!). I have already written about REST, a key component for any dancer hoping to keep this up for a lifetime. But we must balance rest of body and mind with appropriate activity, nourishment and challenges in order to go to the next level. 

Here  are some definitions of the word “balance”: (from www.collinsdictionary.com):

“A state of equilibrium or equipoise; equality in amount, weight , value or importance, as between two things or parts of a thing”

“Bodily equilibrium or stability”

“Mental or emotional stability”

“The pleasing harmony of various elements in a design, painting, musical composition, etc; harmonious proportion”

“A weight, force, effect, etc that counteracts another or causes equilibrium”

“Verb t: to bring in or keep in a state of equilibrium or equipoise”

Take a look at your schedule - does it include sufficient time for rest, relationships, recreation? Is there time for healthy meal prep and mindful eating? Is there time for cross-training in parallel (Yes, this is very important for ballet dancers to “balance” their strength and prevent hip injuries!). Take a good look, evaluate your lifestyle honestly, and consider making 3 SMALL CHANGES. I would love to hear from you!