Today we’re going to talk about loving ourselves by working on balance. Falls are one of the biggest risks we face as we age. The statistics on what happens to us after we fall and break a hip are not encouraging. We want to prevent falls with better balance.
Balance is not a talent; it’s a skill. That means we can practice and get better at it.
One way to practice, of course, is to take yoga or Pilates. Both of those are good choices because they have lots of other benefits, making them efficient use of time.
But it’s not hard to work on balance in regular life. I think we all spend a fair amount of time waiting for the microwave. That minute while lunch heats is a great time to try standing on one leg, or doing one-leg squats or deadlifts. Brushing our teeth is another daily opportunity to balance. One of my clients practices calf raises in line at the grocery store.
Assuming we’re already doing weight workouts, a few tweaks can make those workouts even more effective for balance. When we work asymmetrically, we challenge our balance. Any exercise that works our core musculature helps balance. Using instability also helps (think BOSU, wobble board, etc.).
Safety note: start slow and simple and make sure that you are in an environment where you can get support if you need it!
