Every day is an opportunity to improve our balance. Research has shown that simply being consistent with a few balance activities, amazing gains are made with balance. A balance body requires flexibility, strength and perspective. In other words, we need the ability for our brain to process information from our ears, eyes, skin, muscles and joints.

If you want to have a healthy active life style and remain living independently, then improving and maintaining balance is paramount. Being body aware is probably the best kept secret of balance. Where are you in your space? Balance is really done on the subconscious level. As we age, we tend to think about balance more often. In our youth, we really did not think of it as our body for the most part just handled it.

What is the parameters of your balance safety zone? In other words, think of a bubble that surrounds you. This is your balance safety zone. As a child, our balance safety zone is quite substantial. But as we age the bubble shrinks, especially if you don't work on improving and maintaining balance. For instance, poor balance is represented by keeping your movements close to your body. Good balance indicates that you can move with a wide range of movement. Reaching high on a shelf is not a problem with someone that has good balance. But to an individual with poor balance reaching high on a shelf can seem like an impossible task.

To start improving your balance, take a few minutes to analyze where you are. Do you walk with your head down looking at your feet or do you walk with your head up looking ahead? Are your limbs close to you when you walk or do you use bigger movements when you walk? To reap the benefits of balance consistency is the key. Like anything the more you do it the better you get at it. Here are a few exercises to get you on your way to improvements in balance. Stand on one foot, hold for 10 seconds and then switch feet. Stand with a chair behind you, hinge at the hips and sit down slowly, then put your weight in the heels and balls of your feet, hinge at the hips and stand up, do 10 times. When doing this exercise keep your arms in front of you. Get use to using the large muscles in your legs and glutes to take you to a standing position. Finally, stand with your feet staggered and slowly look over your right shoulder and then the left. Do this 5 times and then stagger your feet the other way. After you get proficient at these exercises, then add time, when doing the standing leg balance work up to 60 seconds on each leg. As you do the stand to sit exercise work up to 20 repetitions. Then try doing the staggered feet drill with closed eyes as you move your head slowly from side to side.

There are a host of other exercises to improve your balance. Start with these and work consistently to improve your balance. No doubt results will be impressive in a few weeks and you will be amazed. Balance can and does improve with consistent work at any age. Please remember all of our bodies respond no matter what our age. Age should never be a deterrent to exercising and improving your quality of life. For more information about health and wellness, please contact Kay Colgan at Middleburg Pilates and Personal training at 14 S. Madison Street, Middleburg, Virginia, or call 540-687-6995.