Why do we need good balance for longevity and quality of life?
We use balance and stability every day when walking around, stepping off the curb, even standing up out of chair unaided requires balance. As does getting dressed, from putting underwear and trousers on, to socks and shoes. We balance when taking a cup off a top shelve and when doing housework. All these things require us to balance as we temporarily move our weight onto a single leg.
We could just sit down to do some of these things, but we will then lose the ability to stand on one leg, therefore losing strength in our legs as well.
The weaker we become, the less able we are to walk and to complete all our activities of daily living, therefore losing confidence to look after ourselves, and eventually even going outside can become dautning and problematic.
Just this week I showed one of my 1:1 clients how to get up and down off the floor after recovering from a knee operation, so she could play on the floor with her grandchildren again. She told me that she felt like she has got her life back, and feels normal again after her operation! This activity of course involves balance and strength.
I teach functional Pilates, which challenges all planes of movement, when standing, sitting and on the floor, so our bodies are able to move freely and in control, so that we can live well for longer. As we get older, all of the above are important to all of us. It’s all about quality of life!
JM x
Jane on WhatsApp
