The Conscious Art of Balance Watching videos of my great-niece learning to walk, I am struck by her dedicated focus on the task of upright balance – and the pure joy in the accomplishment of that task. It reminds me of her delight when, as a wee babe, her father would fly her around the room in his arms. Now she flies through space on her own small feet. Balance is a wonder, an amazing feat (no pun intended) that we learn…
A wild 4th of July hail storm had me raking up downed leaves in the back yard, adding to my list of summer chores. From carrying bags of potting soil to pulling dandelions, winding up garden hoses, and mowing the lawn, the unending yard work engages me both body and mind. And as creaky knees and aching back threaten to undermine my efforts, these summertime tasks continually remind me to move like a martial artist – no matter the task.…
On a beautiful late summer day in the Rocky Mountains, I joined participants at the Easter Seals Rocky Mountain Village Post Polio Wellness Retreat to teach a class on balance. People from all over the country came to Colorado to participate in classes and activities about living with post polio syndrome – a condition affecting polio survivors that includes muscle weakness, atrophy, and fatigue that can occur many years after recovery from the original illness. Post polio syndrome’s impact on balance may result…
I had the privilege earlier this month of meeting students and staff at the Colorado Center for the Blind and going along as an observer on a cane travel excursion. Steve, the instructor, and the two students led the way – with their keen perception and their canes – on a trip through downtown Littleton to find donuts and bagels at a shopping center down the road. Throughout the journey, Steve asked the students questions about the surroundings and talked…
Fall arrived in Colorado today with a curious mix of summer sunshine and a chill wind from the west announcing the inevitable change of seasons. The day also marks Fall Prevention Awareness Day (and the beginning of Fall Prevention Awareness Week); not the prevention of shorter days and cooler temperatures, but a reminder that although the fall season is unavoidable, taking a fall is not. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) started the observance a decade ago to help people understand that…
At a fall prevention event I attended last week, I was surprised to learn that falls are the number one call for help to the Arvada Fire and EMS Rescue in Jefferson County, Colorado. That is, the fire department assists people who have fallen more often than it responds to fires or any other emergency requiring medical services. The Fall Prevention Fair and Cookout was put on by TRIAD, an organization in Jefferson County that helps seniors stay safe in…
Olympic gold medalist Picabo Street, 1998 winner of the downhill in Nagano, once told a reporter, “Fear is the number one enemy when you’re racing; when you’re afraid your center of balance is back, which is very detrimental to your health.” Detrimental, indeed. Scientific studies have found that, along with increasing the risk of falling and serious injury, fear of falling in daily life leads to activity restriction, a loss of independence, reduced quality of life, and an increased chance of…
“I had no idea what I was getting into when I signed up for class!” Karen, a participant in a recent Minding Your Balance™ class, went on to say that she thought the training would involve things like standing on one leg and core strengthening exercises — a reasonable expectation given that we tend to think of balance as a strictly physical endeavor. While balance obviously is physical (and standing on one leg does take place in classes), balance involves more…
A good friend who volunteers at the local animal shelter stumbled over a hose during cleanup of the dog kennels and took a bad fall. She was carrying a big bucket filled with cleaning solution at the time, and while her view of the floor wasn’t obscured she just didn’t notice the hose lying across her path. My friend, the bucket and all its liquid contents went flying. Fortunately, she came away from the fall with only minor bruises and soggy clothes. Sometimes when we…
Rusty, my beautiful, part Greyhound rescue dog, spotted the rabbit when I wasn’t looking; the rabbit sprinted off and Rusty – relying on his instincts – lunged forward in pursuit. Fortunately, my centering and weight underside practice from Minding Your Balance saved the day: I remained rooted to the spot with Rusty’s leash securely in hand. When Rusty hit his tether’s end he returned to my side and we continued our walk – in the opposite direction of the rabbit’s escape. People often ask if the Minding Your Balance techniques from…