Finding Balance
By
Gloria Keeling
Click to enlarge
 THE
POSITION:
For the beginning level place one hand on the back of a chair, stand on
the leg on that side and put the opposite foot as high up the leg as is
comfortable for your knee and hip joints. Don't place the foot on the
knee, either below or above is safe. Tighten your leg, buttock and
abdominal muscles. Bring the free arm overhead and breathe deeply
through the nose.
 THE EXERCISE:
Feel your rib cage expanding and contracting
with each breath. Attempt to take your hand off the chair for a few
seconds but keep it close in case you need to grab hold. When you are
ready for the advanced level simply bring both arms overhead and extend
them as far as you can toward the sky without straining your shoulder
and upper back muscles. While holding the position (for up to a minute)
and deep breathing imagine how it would feel to be a tree with your
roots in the earth and your branches in the heavens. Repeat on the other
leg.
THE RELEASE: Upon completion
of the exercise lie on your back, breathe and gently pull your knees to
your chest for at least one minute. Relax and thank your body for doing
the work.
Since I
first named my fitness method Strong, Stretched & Centered in 1975
I have been asked again and again "why that name?" It's fun for me to
think about because it takes me back to those incredibly exciting,
exploratory years when I thought I had the key to health and happiness
for anyone who would listen and follow the method. Hmmm, I guess on some
level I still believe that but it's colored by 27 years of life
experience. While I have had breakthrough after breakthrough in
mind/body work with both individuals and groups I've also had the kind
of losses and failures in life that teach the importance of the "letting
go and learning compassion" factor. In 1981 I wrote the following
description to answer the question "why that name?"
STRONG... being powerful and in control of your life.
STRETCHED... being limber in body and mind and knowing when to relinquish
that control.
CENTERED... knowing who you are, what your purpose is on our planet, and
how to live and move gracefully in that purpose.
We can apply these principles to any and every aspect of our lives. With
just a little thought and meditation we can find a way to meld them with
other belief systems we may have in our lives. For instance, how are we
to be powerful and in control of our lives and still "surrender to a
higher power?" This is one of those wonderful paradox's that expand our
limited thinking by showing us that two opposing truths can both be
"true." Each day I do everything I can to direct my life where I want it
to go. I set goals and work for them, I plan and visualize and expect
the best. I also, at the end of each day, while I'm falling asleep
repeat these words, "use me for the highest good, keep me on my path and
in a state of grace." I assume that whatever life presents, as ideas or
actual opportunities, is a result of the combination of the work,
planning and expectations and the surrendering and asking for help from
a higher power.
If we look at strength in a more practical way aerobic fitness creates a
sense of moving forward and being free to maneuver in the world. It
represents establishing and attaining goals. Aerobics strengthen the
heart, and if we want it, offers the opportunity to be more in touch
with our heart center and our ability to love. Strength building
exercise makes us feel capable and able to stand on our own and take
care of ourselves. Strength represents independence, especially as we
age. The stronger our muscles the longer we can live exceptional lives,
for ourselves and others.
The second principle, Stretching and the third, Centering actually work
in harmony. The more capable we are of letting go, stepping outside the
box, seeing the world from many different angles, the more likely we are
to have a big life. A big life expands (stretches) to include different
approaches and beliefs. A flexible body enables us to move youthfully at
every age. Flexibility is essential to be happy throughout life. If we
are not flexible in our bodies we will become limited in our
movements...we will experience pain and stiffness more and more as we
age. If we are not flexible in our hearts and minds we will experience
emotional pain when life doesn't go the way we expect.
Which brings us to Centering, the third principle. Centering exercises
keep us physically balanced and train us to move gracefully. If we do
them in a meditative frame of mind they also calm us and bring our
mental, emotional, and spiritual selves into a state of grace. If we
want to live active, adventurous lives we must know how to maintain a
strong sense of self, we must know how to live from our centers so we
don't lose ourselves.
The name Strong, Stretched & Centered has many levels of meaning and
each of us must explore at whatever level we are ready and willing to
explore. The following exercise, The Tree, builds strength, balance,
flexibility and centering. It requires control and focus and deepens our
sense of our connection and stability in the world.
Tel (310) 451-5886
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