How good is your balance? This morning I was reading an article in AARP magazine about measuring your fitness level and one of the tests was a one-legged balance test. I tested myself and was able to hold the pose for only a few seconds. Yikes!
A Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) that I spotted on Monday at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge would have aced the test. The heron seemed to be perfectly stable as it relaxed in an open area adjacent to a small pond while standing on a single leg. It was a cold morning and I suspect that the heron’s other leg was tucked under its feathers to conserve body heat.
As I get older, I have become more conscious of the need for balance in all areas of my life. When I worked for the federal government a lot of lip service was given to the importance of “work-life balance,” but the sad reality was that few of my co-workers achieved that sense of balance—most of us, myself included, tended to be workaholics. Retirement has provided me a lot more freedom to use my time in a way that attempts to balance my physical, mental, spiritual, relational, and creative needs. It’s a constant juggling act, but I’m working on it.
In the meantime, I think I would do well to emulate the Great Blue Heron and practice my one-legged pose some more.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Gre
Fabulous portrait!
Thanks, Laura.
There is still time to improve your balance, Mike. A standing yoga pose may help there are a few on this website https://www.everydayyoga.com/blogs/guides/yoga-standing-balance-poses-for-beginners
Thanks for your encouraging words, Robert. It seems like there are plenty of resources available–I need to make my personal fitness more of a priority.
Checking the comments here to see if a certain Yoga person chimes in….
I’ve always liked this GBH pose, and your capture with his neck feathers making a show and the reedy background is lovely.
I work on my one legged stands regularly, being keen on staving off physical balance issues.
Gorgeous bird (lovely shot). And with superb balance. 😊 Your text reminds me of how, over the years, I have told my kids to “turn on your balance” when it is winter and things get icy and slippery. I guess it is wise to turn on our balance all year round to stay in practice (ie, tree pose or others in yoga) for the good of our bodily mechanics.
I like your idea of “turning on your balance.” I am very conscious of my balance when I am in the wild with my camera am moving over uneven, potentially slippery ground.