In yoga, balancing poses are particularly effective at forcing practitioners to concentrate. They need to remember where their weight is being borne and must constantly shift position to keep balance.
These poses, or asanas, may not be possible for everyone right off the bat, but they can be modified by using walls or chairs for stabilization or by keeping both feet on or near the floor.
Vrkasana (Tree Pose)
Starting with feet on the ground shoulder-width apart, bring your palms to meet at heart center and lift your right leg, placing your right foot on your inner left thigh. Raise your palms to the sky and maintain pose for five deep breaths before slowly switching to other leg.
Virabhadrasana III (Warrior III Pose)
Begin with feet touching or shoulder-width apart. Raise your right knee to hip level and begin to kick your right leg out behind you, leaning your upper body forward until parallel with the ground as you reach your hands out in front of you to maintain balance. Hold for five deep breaths, then switch sides.
Ardha Chandrasana (Half-Moon Pose)
Starting with feet together or shoulder-width apart, fold your body forward. Place fingertips of left hand on the floor or mat and raise your right leg behind you. Turn your body to face forward and raise your right hand to the sky. Hold for five deep breaths and switch to other leg.
Bakasana (Crow Pose)
Start with your feet together and bend all the way down. Then kneel until your palms can comfortably touch the ground. Bring your hands to shoulder width and spread fingers. Round your back and engage your core until your feet begin to lift off the ground. Draw your heels up and hold pose for five deep breaths.