Ever feel like one side of your body is doing all the work—and wonder if that’s just part of getting older?
You’re not alone. Most of us aren’t perfectly symmetrical—and that’s okay. But when those imbalances start to show up as stiffness, fatigue, or frustration during movement, it’s your body asking for attention—not punishment.
With just a little awareness, you can start to shift how you move and how you feel.
And the best part? You don’t have to be perfect to feel better.
Imbalances Aren’t Always “Bad”—But Awareness Is Everything
Imbalances often come from years of repetitive movement or postural habits—like carrying a kid on the same hip, sitting at a desk, or favoring your dominant hand.
Sometimes these imbalances are even helpful—like when your job builds strong upper-body muscles. But others can be limiting, like tight hip flexors or a low back that constantly aches.
The key isn’t to judge them. It’s to get curious.
And that’s where real change begins.
Yoga gives us powerful tools for this—especially through the lens of svadhyaya (self-study) and satya (truthfulness). These practices help us notice our patterns with compassion. Instead of pushing harder, we learn to listen.
✨ Noticing these shifts isn’t about being critical—it’s about building a new kind of relationship with your body. One that’s based in awareness, trust, and small, sustainable changes.
It’s this exact kind of work that’s inspiring me to create a new membership for women in midlife—something supportive, simple, and deeply effective. It’s called Rooted in Strength, and it’s coming soon. I’d love to share more with you in the coming weeks.
7 Ways to Notice Imbalances in Your Body
Here are 7 ways you can gently explore how each side of your body feels. There’s no “right” way—just awareness.
1. Start with Your Breath
Sit or lie down, close your eyes, and simply breathe.
- Is your inhale or exhale longer?
- Does one side of your body move more than the other?
- Can you feel tension or tightness more on one side?
Even one minute of breath awareness can reveal a lot.
2. Cat/Cow Spinal Mobility
On hands and knees, move gently between arching your back (cow) and rounding it (cat).
- Notice if one direction feels smoother.
- Does one area feel stuck or tender?
If you sit often, the backbend (cow pose) might feel especially good.
3. Bird Dog (Arm & Leg Reach)
From hands and knees, reach your right arm forward and your left leg back.
- How stable do you feel?
- Which side feels easier or stronger?
This engages your shoulders, glutes, and core—and shows how each side supports you.
4. Side Body Stretch
Still on hands and knees, reach one leg out behind you and sweep the same-side arm overhead.
- Do you feel tightness or restriction on one side?
- Is it easier to breathe into one side?
Side body stretches often reveal tension you didn’t know you were carrying.
5. Kneeling Lunge
Come into a low lunge, one knee on the ground.
- How do your hips feel on each side?
- Is one tighter or harder to balance?
If you sit most of the day, this will likely feel very different side to side.
6. Mountain Pose (Tadasana)
Stand tall and observe:
- Is your weight evenly distributed?
- Do your knees point in the same direction?
- Are your feet aligned?
Subtle shifts in how you stand reveal long-standing habits—and give you a chance to reset.
7. Balance on One Leg
Shift your weight into one foot and lift the opposite knee.
- Which side feels more stable?
- Which side feels wobbly?
This is one of the easiest ways to notice—and gently strengthen—imbalances.
So… Now That You’ve Noticed—What Next?
Awareness is the first step—but it’s a powerful one.
Now that you’ve taken time to explore how your body moves, you might start noticing these patterns throughout your day:
- Do you always shift your weight to one leg when standing?
- Do you carry your bag on the same shoulder?
- When you walk, does one foot feel heavier or more grounded?
- When you sit, do you cross the same leg every time?
The point isn’t to fix all of this—it’s to begin noticing.
Because the more awareness you build, the more choices you have. You start to move through your day with intention instead of habit. You begin to support your body in small, meaningful ways that add up over time.
✨ This is what creates real change—not through force or perfection, but through connection and consistency.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to fix everything today.
And you don’t have to do it alone.
When you start paying attention to how your body moves—without judgment—you open the door to real, lasting change. It’s not about doing more. It’s about doing it with support and intention.
I’m building something for women like you—women who want to feel strong, confident, and connected again without burning out or pushing through pain. If that sounds like something you’ve been craving, stay tuned. I’ll be inviting a small group to join me as founding members inside Rooted in Strength very soon.
✨ You’re not broken—you’re learning. One breath, one movement, one moment of awareness at a time.
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