Balance-How You Can Do It !

 

                    Students using the wall to practice balance. 

Always consult with your doctor before doing these exercises.

As we go through life we tend to be up in our heads thinking about to do lists and schedules, work, family, and daily challenges.  We may forget our connection to the earth. Many people eventually have trouble balancing. We may have stumbled or lost our balance  at one time and came to believe we did not have balance from that moment on. 

Tai Chi practice helps us become very conscious of the earth and how it support us.  As we bring attention down to the feet and relax the mind and body, we can feel how our weight sink into our feet  in a balanced way.  These students below are beginning to retrain their mind to accept their balance. 

Ask a friend or a family member to stand near you while you do this exercise. Have them make sure your back is straight and your eyes are looking at the wall without leaning. It is also nice to have some encouragement. 

1. Step up to a wall 
2. Place hands flat on the wall directly in front of the shoulders.
3. Feet are about 8" apart.
4. With hands flat on the wall, adjust your distance from the wall so you can stand up straight without leaning. Elbows are bent. 
5. Keep hand flat against the wall. Pick up your right foot a few inches off the ground. (see image below) Use the wall for balance. If lifting your foot off the ground is too much for you then lift up your heel only as you feel the weight shift into your other leg.
6. Feel how the weight transfers to the other leg and foot. Hold 10 seconds and put the foot down.
7. As you do this keep you eyes on the wall. 
8. Repeat on other side.
9. Make this part of your day
10. You can gradually increase your hold in time
11. You can get to where you barely touch the wall and when you feel confident, eventually just touch with your fingertips then after you practice this for a few days lift your hands from the wall. 
12. The wall is there to support you if you need it. 
13. Keep your body straight and eyes ahead.
14. In a few weeks when you get stronger, try this without the wall

Beginning to relearn balance, by strengthening the legs
feeling the connection to the earth by sinking the weight into the feet. The mind also discovers you can balance !

Many people come to Tai Chi Class to learn balance.

And many of these students rediscover their balance within weeks by learning basic principles and practicing these principles.

Balance is possible even with an inner ear challenge. This woman (above image) was sent to my class by her doctor.

Never had balance? Now you can !

His friends didn't believe he could balance.  He read an article on how Tai chi can help with balance and made a bet with a close friend he could balance on one leg. He followed along in class and as you can see he has succeeded!

Accomplish what others say is impossible

Can you do this ?

You can do it if you have the desire and willingness to learn and practice.


One of my students who always came into class with her walker.
Left after class without her walker. We noticed her walker in the back of the classroom and ran to find her. She was already in the parking lot. We had a good laugh !

Thank you for visiting Deborah's Little Gems

I hope you enjoyed this post.

Until next time,

Practice your balance. 

Deborah Moen