Balance - Are You Working On It?

How often are you working on your balance?

Having balance means having control of your body in open space, without the need of any assistance.

It's an important physical principle that is needed for daily functioning. It allows us to recognise our body position relative to other objects around us (kinesthetic awareness), including the surfaces we move on while standing, walking or running.

This is something that kids inately practice and develop by balancing on and between objects for fun and play.

From walking on a rail to riding a skateboard, this keeps them agile, strong and aware of their body and surroundings.

The thing is…

If you don't use it, you lose it.

Most people will find when they try to do the things they once did as a child.

The older that we get, the more that life tries to challenge our balance. From a slippery floor to moving onto an unstable object, having balance is a requirement for functional movement and reducing the risk of injury.

When you're in your older years and a slight mishap while walking down stairs can cost you a broken leg - it's importance increases tenfold.

Simply walking or balancing on a low rail can do wonders for your balance, and is something that we integrate into our classes.

It doesn't need to feel like a "workout" or be for a specific amount of reps or sets. Simply setting a timer and trying to balance in as many ways as you can will yield improvement all round.

A daring task: Try to mimic what your child (or relative) does while playing in the park or playground. You might get some strange stares from other adults, but outside of that you'll quickly notice how much balance is required in their movements, and maybe how much you've lost over the years!