On the weekend while hiking the very beginning of the famous Stawamus Chief trail near Squamish, I was once again reminded of the role balance plays in not only helping us stay upright while climbing or descending a steep hill but its importance for everyday activities such as walking and sitting.
Try the following short movement sequence and challenge your balance:
- Stand on the floor with your feet hip width apart. Notice the weight distribution in each foot. Are you standing evenly on both feet? Where is your head aligned relative to your pelvis?
- Cross your right foot in front of your left foot to stand to the left of your left foot. Notice your weight distribution in your feet now. How are your head and pelvis aligned relative to your feet?
- With your legs crossed, reach up to the ceiling with your right arm, looking at your arm as it reaches upward. As you reach feel your pelvis moving in the opposite direction of the right reaching arm, e.g. to the left. How does the weight distribution change in your feet? What did you have to adjust to maintain balance?
- Then reach with your left arm and feel your pelvis shifting to the right. Is it easier to reach with this arm? Are you still breathing easily?
- Reach around yourself in all directions e.g. to the sides, downward and notice how your feet and pelvis support you.
- Uncross your legs. Stand and rest for a moment.
- Cross your left foot over your right foot to stand to the right of your right foot. Explore the same reaching sequences with each arm. Notice the differences in this configuration in how your pelvis and feet support you and how you maintain your balance.
- Uncross your feet and stand as at the beginning, noticing what feels different and how your pelvis, back, shoulders and head feel? Where is the weight distributed in your feet now?
