Day 38: Tiferet she’b’Yesod, Balance within Foundation
Balance. How does your body do it? Take some time to notice.
That’s what I did today in my morning prayer time.
As you know, I am using the day’s Omer quality to set an intention. So today, I paused midway through my prayer. Then I thought about balance. How, I wondered, is balance a foundation?
Well, my body answered that question right away! I felt my feet against the floor and lifted my arches. I felt the uplift in my legs and my spine—all the way to the crown of my head. Then, I easily took a deep breath. And I felt taller. The more I lifted up, the more I felt balanced.
My husband Charles has been doing Pilates for many years. So I asked him about balance and foundation. He focused on foundation. And he put into words more of what my body said this morning. “I need the bottoms of my feet to make a good connection with the ground!”
But you don’t need Pilates classes to do this balance practice. You can do it any time. Seated, standing, or even lying down. It is also great for staving off boredom!
Sometimes, for example, I am stuck waiting for someone or something. It’s not a crisis situation. Just one where I have nothing to do—except grow my annoyance with each passing minute. So, I turn my attention towards my posture. If I’m standing, I ask how well my feet are planted on the ground. And if I’m sitting, I become aware of the way my lower back holds my spine. Is my foundation solid? Can I let a deep breath uplift me, and help me balance? And, if I can’t actually move, can I imagine a line of energy pointing me towards the heavens?
Try it next time! It’s just two simple practices, really. First, notice your foundation. And then take a deep breath. I can’t make any promises, but it just might improve your balance. In body and in mood, too.
Questions
THOUGHT: How do you think the body and the psyche affect each other?
FEELING: How does your posture feel right now? Once you notice it, do you feel a desire to change it?
DOING: When you are safely waiting in line with nothing to do, how do you entertain yourself? Try the practice described above.
GOD: Do you find it easier to connect with spirit when your body is in a particular position?
New to the Omer? Here’s a guide to the theory and practice. Want to learn more about different definitions of Tiferet? Here’s a resource.
Image: Photo of Laura Duhan-Kaplan by Hillary Kaplan
