Natarajasana (Dancer Pose or Lord of the Dance Pose) is a deep backbend that requires patience, focus, and persistence. I’ve always had this yen to do a “Dancer Pose” on my paddleboard. Hey, I am coordinated and have a really strong core. Now that I have been seriously trying to accomplish this before my 76th birthday in June, (so I can enjoy the SUP dancer this summer)
I realize there’s something that needs more practice, focus and persistence. And something more is crucial – balance. I have passable balance on land – hopefully I can transfer that to more than confident “standing on water.”
Like you, I enjoy balance in my life. It takes awareness and practice to gain actual balance and balance in the body as a metaphor. For even the most grounded and centered person, the body can only stay consistently in that state for a short time. We breathe, we move, life changes. With the movement of the breath comes movement in the body, and in our lives. And with this ever present force keeping us alive and creating movement. Finding balance requires the ability to maintain focus and quickly adapt as situations change . We learn not to focus on one thing only, but on one thing at a time. Staying aware and flexible – Will this help me with that on-water “Dancer Pose?”
To be balanced we need to first be centered, balancing the right and the left and the front and back hemispheres of our body along the centerline axis. In my Bikram and other yoga practice that’s a common routine for every pose. Each instruction and movement is designed to draw the body parts and energy in to the center of the body. Wobbly and wiggly – I do give it all my effort and love the outcomes. On land I am one confident “dancer.”
Focal points, visual or mental, serve as anchors for the mind and the body. In virtually every balance posture, yoga teachers tell us what to look at as we begin the posture. We use that visual focal point as an anchor to hold our attention in place. Using a mantra, a single word or short phrase that gets repeated over and over either out loud or within the mind, is a form of meditation that serves as an anchor and to eliminate the mind chatter. My mantra? “Breathe breathe breathe.” . Ahhh, intention! There’s the magic.
During the practice of Yoga exercises, we not only relax the muscles but we also build up strength, structure and stability in the right spots. Out on the water, years of practice breathing, balance, strength and flexibility along with reading the water have given me confidence on TWO feet – what about on ONE foot?
As lame as I am in completing Natarajasana today I have the intent and a vision of a clear blue lake or mirrored ocean with me balanced (however precariously) on the foundation of one strong and steady leg and foot. Reframing the goal of Dancer Pose on the paddleboard into a journey makes the entire process a practice. So far the journey has been punctuated with a splash and a full on wet ending to the balancing act. No worries! The journey will continue.
What’s your balancing act as you gain the SUP Perspective? Links, blogs, comments and quotes are invited and welcome.
Elder SUP 
Thanks…