I remember when my favorite yoga teacher first began teaching at our health club. She used a few phrases and teaching cues that I'd never heard before but really liked. One that particularly stood out for me was to "Find a place between ease and effort." I thought this was a perfect instruction! I liked having the permission to listen to my body, to find how deeply I could go into a posture while still being able to sustain it without pain, knowing I could back off if needed. Too often in a class setting, I've been tempted to compare my progress to others. Occasionally I've even strained a muscle as I pushed myself in competetion. This new prompt encouraged me to heighten my self awareness, to shift my focus from the outside to the inside while stretching and exploring my edge. In the case of a couple of poses, such as the headstand and backbend, over time this approach led me to surprising places beyond my original perceived limit.

Aside from a yoga practice, there are plenty of other areas in life where it could be helpful to make modifications to find a place between ease and effort: work, relationships, spirituality, community service, homemaking, personal growth, health and wellness, to name a few. Which areas seem to be calling out for your attention? More effort may be required to keep from stagnating in some of these areas. It's always good to be comfortable, yet not complacent. Choose an aspect of your life and reflect upon:

What feels neglected, stale, or uninspired?

What's the underlying potential here?

What could create more enthusiasm and momentum?

What next steps am I willing to take to explore new possibilities?

Feeling overwhelmed is practically epidemic, so I'm guessing there probably are other areas of your life that feel all-consuming. You may need to lessen the pace or ease up on the intensity to feel better. Choose one or two areas where you are struggling or working particularly hard:

What makes you feel stretched to the limit?

What would feel better?

What could make a dramatic difference?

What new action could move you in the desired direction?

As you and your family make the transition from the end of summer back into a fall work or school schedule, I invite you to examine your life circumstances with fresh eyes and make adjustments to find your ideal place between ease and effort.


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Grace Durfee, PCC, is an ICF certified coach, trainer, speaker, and writer who helps busy professionals, small business owners and career changers achieve success while enjoying more balanced lives. She is the author of Balance with Grace: Celebrate the Kaleidoscope of Life. To learn more and to read her blog, visit http://www.balancewithgrace.com