Every morning, during my workouts, I spend a significant amount of time crawling around, upside down, balancing on one foot and moving my body into various contortions and positions. My best description of my workout routine is a combination of slow-motion break dancing, yoga and low level gymnastics.
I spend a fair amount of time balancing. I do handstands. I perform numerous movements on the floor with my hands and feet supporting my body as it twists, turns, rotates and floats through the air. I stand on one leg while holding my other leg in front, to the side and behind me in various yoga postures.
Focusing on balance everyday for years has changed me. Obviously it improved my physical ability to perform the different movements. But more importantly, I notice that it has changed my mind and my perception of the world. There is a calming and a focus that comes from doing balance work. I first noticed this effect when I began doing yoga 15 years ago. Now it has changed my life in ways that are difficult to put into words.
This balance which came from literal physical balance, had permeated every aspect of my mind and body. I am calmer, centered, focused, more confident and more relaxed than I have ever been.
I wish I would have started doing yoga and movement training in my teens. I can only imagine how it would have changed my entire life.