Balance is difficult to achieve - always thinking should I have a little bit more of this or a little bit more of that.
The reality of achieving balance in movement at least involves consistency and challenge of the right systems. When I work with my clients, balance challenges are a given even if the client does not yet have a balance problem. Maintaining and improving balance is essential for quality of life.
The broad system of balance is the ability to maintain equilibrium when stationary or moving (i.e., not to fall over) through the coordinated actions of our sensory functions (eyes, ears and proprioceptive organs in our joints). These various systems are integrated mainly in our cerebellum to create balance.
The specific skills of static and dynamic balance are:
Static balance – The ability to retain the center of mass above the base of support in a stationary position;
Dynamic balance – The ability to maintain balance with body movement; an equal distribution of weight;
Speed – The ability to move all or part of the body quickly, eg in response to an electric scooter or bike moving rapidly at you whilst you are walking on a footpath;
Strength – The ability of a muscle or muscle group to overcome a resistance;
Coordination – The ability to control the movement of the body in co-operation with the body’s sensory functions (e.g. in catching a ball using ball, hand and eye coordination).
It is important to remember that each of these skills/systems need to be trained independently for achievement of each level and then overlaid to be integrated into the state of agility.
Whether it be balance or agility, there is a need to prepare and organise our classes to help our clients maintain or develop these skills. Balance and agility are often considered only once a person has had a fall, or lost these skills. In this class we will share some simple strategies and tips that can be used in a daily routine at home, or in your average movement class. We will be incorporating these issues in our 12 June 2026 tutorial for paid subscribers. The link is behind the paywall.
