Balance is Key

“Better learn balance. Balance is key. Balance good, karate good. Everything good.”
Sensei Miyagi - The Karate Kid

Balance is the process in which we keep our trunk aligned with our feet. It is our ability to maintain a desired position for any body part or for the body as a whole.

Balance is achieved through a number of body systems working together. Specifically, in order to achieve balance the eyes (visual system), ears (vestibular system) and the body's sense of where it is in space (proprioception) need to be intact. Also the brain, which compiles this information, needs to be functioning normally.

Maintaining good balance is essential to activities of our daily living. It is the foundation for all movement. Since balance applies to everything we do in our daily life, good balance helps in achieving and maintaining  a mobile, healthy and independent lifestyle.

Balance training is not only a way to enhance our life. Balance training is an integral part of the training routine of athletes. It improves performance and prevents injury.

People of all ages and all walks of life need to keep their balance system healthy.

As children, we develop and maintain good balance through various balancing activities such as running, jumping and climbing.

However, as we age, we slowly lose our ability to maintain good balance. Falls as a result of loss of balance are common among the elderly. Many of these result in serious injuries.

Recent studies have found that a proper exercise and balance training programme can reverse the decline in balance maintenance and reduce the tendency to fall.

Balance is a simple matter. We can do as much or as little as we wish.

I find that training my clients on the BOSU ball (see picture) is one of the most effective ways to reinstate confidence and reverse the loss of balance.

BOSU (acronym for Both Sides Utilized) can be used for different types of balance challenges by changing the platform side. The need to maintain our balance on the BOSU ball requires us to recruit more muscles and work them harder.

For more information on balance training please go to:

BOSU Balance Trainer

Balance Exercises

Balance Training