“Life is a balance between holding on and letting go.” – Rumi
Balance. It’s a word we hear often, whether in conversations about work, relationships, or wellness. Yet when we really pause to reflect, balance is not something we can check off a list or achieve once and for all. It is an ongoing practice, a constant recalibration. It is something we create, not something that we find.
This principle is evident in any yoga practice. If you have never practiced yoga or taken a class, you will still be able to understand the philosophical yoga principles described in this post, as well as how they can relate to everyday life.
Balance on the Mat
Step into a yoga class, and balance reveals itself immediately. In Tree Pose, we press one foot into the ground, lift the other to the inner thigh, and extend the arms overhead. On some days, we find stillness and strength. On others, we wobble, sway, or fall out of the pose before we even begin.
What yoga teaches us is that balance is not about never wobbling; it is about learning how to return, again and again. Each time we reset our foot, draw in our breath, and lift back up, we practice resilience. We discover that the steadiness we seek is not rigid, but alive, flexible, and responsive.
This is where the wisdom of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali comes alive. In Sutra 2.46 “The posture of meditation should embody steadiness and ease.” Though these words were written thousands of years ago, they speak directly to the modern human experience.
The Wisdom of the Sutra
The teaching of sthira (steadiness) and sukha (ease) applies to far more than the physical body. It is a reminder that balance emerges when these two qualities coexist. Too much effort, and we become rigid. Too much release, and we collapse. True balance is the middle path; an interplay between strength and softness, discipline and compassion, holding on and letting go.
Patanjali’s guidance also echoes through the broader philosophy of yoga, which is not only about physical postures but about cultivating harmony in mind, body, and spirit. The ethical teachings of the yamas and niyamas remind us that balance is also moral, emotional, and relational. For example, brahmacharya (moderation) calls us to avoid excess, while santosha (contentment) reminds us to find satisfaction with what we already have. These principles guide us toward a balanced way of living that extends far beyond the mat.
Balance in Everyday Life
Off the mat, the pursuit of balance takes many forms. We speak of “work-life balance,” yet often feel as though we are being pulled in too many directions at once. We want to care for others, but we also long to care for ourselves. We strive for ambition and achievement, yet we crave rest and peace.
It is easy to think balance means perfecting the equation of our lives. But yoga philosophy teaches otherwise. Balance is not a fixed state; it is the art of noticing when we’ve drifted too far to one side and gently guiding ourselves back to center.
Think of it like the breath. The inhale is active, expansive, energizing. The exhale is releasing, grounding, letting go. Neither is better than the other, and neither can exist without its counterpart. Together, they create rhythm. Balance in life works the same way. We need the inhale of effort and the exhale of surrender. Without both, we lose harmony.
The Dance of Holding On and Letting Go
Returning to our Rumi quote, “Life is a balance between holding on and letting go.” We cling to the values that ground us, the practices that sustain us, and the relationships that uplift us. We let go of what no longer serves us. This can be anything, from old stories, unnecessary burdens, and unrealistic expectations.
Sometimes balance means having the courage to persist when things are hard. Other times, it means releasing control and trusting the process. Just as in yoga we root firmly through the ground while simultaneously expanding upward, in life we are called to live in both steadiness and openness.
Bringing Balance Into Daily Life
So how can we bring these teachings into our everyday lives? Here are a few reflections inspired by the Sutras and yoga philosophy:
Pause and Breathe. When life feels unsteady, return to the rhythm of the breath. Notice your inhale (effort) and exhale (release). Ask yourself: Where do I need more grounding? Where do I need more letting go?
Check for Sthira and Sukha. In your daily routines, relationships, and work—are you holding too tightly, or are you too loose? How might you invite more steadiness or more ease?
Honor Seasons. Just as yoga practice changes day by day, life has seasons of effort and seasons of rest. Balance means honoring the moment you are in, rather than forcing it to look like another.
Embrace Imperfection. Balance is not a permanent state. It is a continuous practice of returning. Falling out of balance is not failure—it is the invitation to begin again.
Journal Prompt: Where in my life am I holding on too tightly? Where might I allow myself to let go?
Closing Reflection
Balance is not about perfection, nor is it about standing still. It is about learning how to sway with the winds of life without losing our center.
Rumi reminds us: “Life is a balance between holding on and letting go.” The Yoga Sutras add: balance is found when strength and softness live together, when effort and surrender weave into harmony. May we return to this practice, again and again, with gentleness and grace.
