The Art of Balance

Many factors contribute to the loss of balance and by adding standing balance exercises into your Pilates sessions, you  can enhance your  concentration and awareness.  Balance is essential for everyday activities and effects the way we move. An image that will always remain in my memory while in India was watching how the women would walk while balancing items on their head. The grace and fluidity of their movements was absolutely beautiful.

Balance is important because it helps improve and maintain our sense of alignment. When we are balanced, our feet, ankles, knees, hips, pelvis, spine, neck and head are connected and it allows our muscles to handle weight distribution, sways, from front to back and side to side.

Part of my teaching repertoire includes balance work while performing an upper body activity. I prefer to add this earlier into my sessions to help my clients focus and to prepare them for the exercises to follow. 

If you are concern or having difficulties with balance, it’s advisable to speak with your GP. Many factors can compromise one’s stability such as vision and vestibular sense.