KAWARTHA LAKES-In my practice, I see a lot of people who simply need to find and maintain their balance.
There are many things you can do every day that are both simple and practical to maintain your physical independence with aging, and improve your capacity to move with ease and without pain. Staying balanced is extremely important because if you look at your body’s alignment like the alignment on a car, you can plainly see that one “flat tire” or “loose bearing” can lead to a plethora of other issues that can lead to falls, injuries, and inefficient movement, leading to PAIN.
When we prioritize balance, not just as a method of fitness training, but as a daily MUST, we become more self-aware, have better core control, and become overall more aligned and balanced.
Here are 5 things you can literally do every day to improve your balance:
1.Lie down on the floor and try to get up without using your hands. The first time you do this, you’ll see that it is not easy! But get creative, think of a string attached to the crown of your head pulling you up to the ceiling to activate core and postural muscles. Bend your knees and swivel your hips. The more creative ways you can get up from the floor without using your hands that you can discover, the better. This teaches your whole entire body to function as a unit and allows you to move in even the most difficult of situations. I like to call this “training for real life”. Try it for yourself!
2. Do NOT sit down to put on your shoes! This is a great example of letting convenience take away your independence and good movement skills. Sure, a chair is nice to have, but try to put on your shoes with no chair, USE your balance! Our hips and spines are designed for bending and flexing-the more often we can move more of our bodies, the better! Cultivate that balance and flexibility by putting yourself in uncomfortable situations rather than sitting and taking the easy route. Keep in mind, if you are at a high risk for falls, I do not want you to get HURT, always be safe! If you are very unstable, maybe start by sitting on a low chair or stool before attempting this exercise.
3.Be barefoot as often as possible! Your toes should be the widest part of your foot and have tons of wiggle room between them. The benefits of bare feet are amazing and I can’t speak on this topic enough so if you want to know more check out my Foot Pain Solutions webinar https://sweathappywellness.com/auto-webinar-registration
4.When walking up stairs, try to avoid using the rails (again, if it is SAFE to do so). Promote strength and balance that will last a lifetime, rather than relying on the surfaces around you. If you can do it hands free, there’s a beautiful opportunity to practice your balance-no gym required!
5. Balance and core strength are two skills we developed as babies when we first learned to crawl and then walk on two feet. This is something I am constantly re-teaching adults. We live in a world of convenience, with quick fixes and “band-aids” for every little thing. But the secret to pain-free living is quite simple: use it or lose it.
Please check out www.sweathappywellness.com for more awesome health and wellness information.
Becky Sheehey is a Holistic Health Coach, and a Pilates and Movement Expert with a background in Kinesiology. She lives in Lindsay.
