22/05/2025
Practising balance is important because it enhances body awareness, improves coordination, increases stability, and plays a crucial role in maintaining a functional and healthy life. Research has even shown that, as we get older, our ability to balance may have an impact on how long we live. The key thing is that we should work on our balance before we need to, not after it becomes an issue.
Take any opportunity to practise standing on one leg. Build it into your daily activities if you can - maybe whilst cleaning your teeth. You can stand on one foot in the morning and the other foot in the evening, with your hand resting on a surface or basin if you’re feeling unsteady. See how long you can maintain your balance. Gradually release the fingers so that only a tip of the finger is used. It’s important to make sure that the ankle is flexible and that you soften your eyes and breathe freely into your back. The experience is enhanced if you can do it without socks or shoes. Make it harder by going up on to your tiptoes or doing 10 small knee bends. When you feel even more confident, you can make it harder by standing on a cushion or pillow. Build up the amount you do slowly though. When you can easily balance on a pillow, and if you’re feeling confident, go back to standing on the floor and repeat the basic balance exercise with your eyes closed.
The foot and ankle have many proprioceptors or sensory neurons which sense the body’s position and movement and send signals to the brain to help to keep it centred and balanced as we walk over difficult terrain. Ageing and diseases like Parkinson’s can cause these proprioceptors to deteriorate and this leads to a decline in balance.
In Kinesiology we call client sessions 'balances' as we are working together to bring your system back into balance so, if you need support finding your balance, visit www.kinesiologyfederation.co.uk/search to find a professional practitioner local to you
Try tip number 6. You can do it at any time of the day wherever you are, but make sure you do it. Don’t wait until you start to have issues with your balance.
Let’s improve our health together.
