“Balance is not something you find, it’s something you create.” — Jana Kingsford
In yoga, balance is much more than standing on one leg without wobbling — it’s a principle for living. The Sanskrit word samatva often translates as “equanimity” or “evenness of mind,” and it’s a central teaching in yogic philosophy. In the Bhagavad Gita, we are reminded that “Yoga is skill in action” — not perfection, but the ability to meet life with steadiness, whether we are in stillness or motion, in joy or in challenge.
When we look at balance through this lens, it stops being a fixed state we hope to “find” and becomes an ongoing, creative process. Instead of chasing a perfect arrangement of work, rest, relationships, and self-care, we can cultivate daily habits that keep us centered in our values. Balance becomes less about controlling circumstances and more about how we respond to the natural fluctuations of life.
I learned this truth in my own life, and later, I saw it come alive in one of my clients’ stories. Both experiences taught me that balance is not about the “right time” magically arriving — it’s something we build, moment by moment, choice by choice.
My Journey to Creating Balance
As a long-time yoga teacher and practitioner, I sometimes felt pressure to have life “figured out” more than the average bear — as though I wasn’t allowed to be messy or, heaven forbid, “unhealthy.” But as it turns out, I am all those things and more.
A few years ago, I found myself constantly running on empty. I was juggling self-employment, commitments to family and friends, and the adjustment of settling into a new town and home, all while trying to maintain some semblance of self-care. I kept thinking that if I could just get through the next deadline or task, I would finally feel balanced.
That day never came. My to-do list grew longer. My health and well-being slipped further down my priorities. The stress mounted, and I felt disconnected from myself.
It wasn’t a single aha moment that shifted things, but a series of messy missteps, disappointments, and recalibrations. I began to see that balance wasn’t about cramming everything into a perfect schedule — it was about creating space. Space for what nourished me, and space to say “no” to what drained me. I also learned I didn’t have to do it alone; I sought help from a therapist, energy workers, and my family.
Through this recalibration, I began to develop a few core habits — not as rigid rules, but as what I like to think of as small, caring gifts I offer myself. These habits became anchors for balance:
Morning Ritual: Firstly, let’s be clear — these habits are not rigid tasks, but more like caring gifts I get to give myself. The word “daily” is misleading in that it isn’t every day; it’s most days. So most mornings, I set aside the first 15–30 minutes to practice a short tai chi routine and sit in meditation. No emails, no texts, no rush. I take a moment to remind myself of what matters to me and what I want to anchor to. This helps me direct my energy in the direction of balance. This simple practice grounds me before the day’s demands take over.
Movement and Rest: Just like regular meals nourish the body and mind to meet the day’s demands, I discovered that regular movement and regular rest were essential to my physical, mental, and emotional health. Each day I try to move my body consciously and enjoyably — this might be a full yoga asana practice, lifting weights at the gym, or simply taking my dog for a long walk. Just as enriching is my time to rest. I try to give myself deliberate moments to be still — not meditating, but also not distracting myself with TV or scrolling my phone. I sit and just rest. Sometimes I nap; sometimes I simply allow myself to be still. These pauses can make all the difference in how I show up for the rest of my day.
Set Boundaries: This one proved to be the most important in learning to live in balance. Boundaries aren’t just about stating what you don’t want to do, but also about knowing what you do want to do. Healthy boundaries are how we shape our lives, our relationships, and most importantly, ourselves. I started saying “no” more often — whether it was declining additional work, limiting social obligations, or setting boundaries with my time. This was difficult at first, but it allowed me to make room for what mattered most. Setting boundaries helped me reorient my actions, thoughts, and energy toward what I valued — and that included myself. Orienting your energy toward yourself strengthens your personal shape, your identity. This becomes vital when life turns into a roller coaster; knowing what you need to stay connected to yourself and your values becomes the root system that holds you stable through the joyride.
Over time, these practices became second nature. My energy rose, my anxiety lessened, and I felt more aligned in both my work and personal life. The habits weren’t about perfect discipline — they were about loving attention, small adjustments, and making space for what nourishes me.
A Client’s Story: Creating Balance Amid Chaos
A few years ago, one of my clients—let’s call her Patricia—came to me feeling completely burnt out and overwhelmed by the constant juggling of her career and family life. She had always been the “go-to” person for everyone around her. While she loved her job and cherished her family, she often felt drained and disconnected. Her body had started to feel stiffer and more achy, a physical reminder that something was off. Like many of us, Patricia believed that if she just worked harder or managed her time better, balance would somehow fall into place. But instead, things felt like they were slipping further away. She found herself unable to show up for her young daughter in the way she wanted and was struggling to find a sense of purpose in her own life.
As we worked together, it became clear that Patricia’s struggle wasn’t about squeezing more hours into the day—it was about intentionally creating space for herself. We explored simple, nourishing habits to support her physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The key was to keep these changes small and manageable, so they wouldn’t become just another “to-do” on her list but rather gentle invitations to pause and reconnect.
Morning Reflection: Patricia began her days with a short, five-minute check-in. Instead of rushing through her routine, she’d pause to take a few deep breaths and then journal briefly to set her intention for the day. Some mornings, this happened right in bed, still waking up, before her feet touched the floor. Other days, she’d get up a bit earlier, pour herself a cup of coffee, and sit at the kitchen table, journaling before the rest of the house stirred. The biggest lesson she learned was that this practice didn’t have to be rigid or structured—it could take different forms, as long as it helped her tune into what mattered most to her each morning.
Mindful Movement: Just like her flexible morning reflections, Patricia began weaving short, mindful movement breaks into her workday. Whether it was a few gentle stretches or a quick walk outside, these pauses gave her moments of clarity and helped break up the mental fog from long hours at the desk. More importantly, they realigned her with the energy and intentions she set in the morning.
Evening Unwind: Patricia noticed how she’d move from task to task all day, only to find herself back in bed struggling to fall asleep, trapped in a cycle of stress and worry about what tomorrow would bring. Together, we created boundaries around her evenings: no work emails or phone calls after 7 PM, and no screens after 9 PM. She started using that time for activities that truly replenished her—reading, spending quality time with her children, or simply sitting quietly by herself for 15 minutes once her daughter was asleep. These moments helped her reconnect with herself and unwind before rest.
Saying “No”: Perhaps the most powerful change came when Patricia began to say “no” more often. She realized that overcommitting was diluting her energy and preventing her from giving her best to anything. Slowly, she let go of the need to be involved in every task, whether at work or at home, and instead chose to focus on what nourished her most. This shift didn’t happen overnight; it began with small steps—carving out little pockets of space and resisting the urge to fill them right away. By setting clear boundaries with her time, Patricia made room for what truly mattered: her well-being, creativity, and family.
Over the years, I’ve witnessed a remarkable transformation in Patricia. She now arrives to our sessions more grounded and present, able to fully engage and receive the support she needs. The overwhelm and chaos have eased, replaced by a gentle understanding that less truly is more—and that not everything needs to be done, or done by her. Most importantly, Patricia has reconnected with herself, and that connection has become the foundation for living a more balanced, fulfilling life.
The Power of Intentional Habits
Both Patricia’s journey and mine highlight a central yogic truth: balance is an inner state we cultivate, not an external condition we stumble upon.
In yogic philosophy, the gunas — rajas (activity), tamas (inertia), and sattva (clarity) — describe the shifting qualities of nature and the mind. Too much activity, and we burn out. Too much inertia, and we stagnate. The art is to tend toward sattva, the quality of harmony, through conscious choices.
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about noticing where we’re leaning — too much push, too much pause — and gently recalibrating. Balance, in this way, becomes an ongoing dialogue with life:
- “What do I need today?”
- “What can I release?”
- “What can I welcome in?”
By practicing small, intentional habits that nurture our physical, mental, and emotional well-being, we can live in greater alignment with our values. The process is rarely linear, but it’s always creative — a skill in action.
So, if you’re feeling out of balance, remember: you don’t have to wait for the stars to align. You can begin now. Choose one thing that brings you closer to your center, and let it become a thread you weave into each day. Over time, those threads create the tapestry of a balanced life — one you’ve made with your own hands.
If you found this post helpful and want to dive deeper into creating your own balanced life, and if you’re ready for personalized support, consider booking a private 1:1 session with me — together, we can explore your unique needs and craft a plan that nurtures your well-being and helps you live with greater ease and presence.