Balance Training is Important for Brain Fitness and Good Health

We all strive toward keeping life in the balance, whether it’s juggling work and personal obligations or simply living a balanced healthy lifestyle. But what about physical balance? Should it be part of your fitness program? Does the ability to stand on one leg for several minutes really contribute to a healthy mind and body?

Most medical professionals agree, maintaining good balance can help keep you in good health, especially as you get older. The earlier you develop good balancing skills, the less likely you are to have a debilitating fall, but did you know that cultivating good balance helps you to feel younger and think clearer as you age?

Exercising both sides of your brain is good for developing the attributes associated with the left and right hemispheres of the brain....and that includes a strong mind/body connection. Mind/Body exercises are becoming more popular as researchers discover new links between mental and physical health. It makes perfect sense since coordination and focus begins with the brain.

The left side of the brain is the logical side. It does all the analyzing and heavy thinking. It is responsible for what we consider “rational” thought.

The right side of the brain is the creative side. Our intuitive thought lies here as does our personal perspectives and beliefs. Ideally we should be using both sides of our brain equally, but most of us favor one side.

An obvious example is that we tend to use either our left hand (a sign of favoring the right side of the brain) or our right hand (favoring the left brain). It’s been said left-handed people are more creative and can better handle multi-tasking while right handed people are more analytical, focusing on one thing at a time.

You can strengthen all those skills in several ways. One is by performing creative and analytic exercises. Another is by honing your physical balancing skills.

Balancing exercises use your core muscles; your abs, laterals and back as well as your thighs, buttocks and calves, so it’s a good idea to warm up first.

You can do some simple stretch movements, some body rolling moves or you can do five minutes of light cardio such as riding a stationary bike or walking on a treadmill.

You may want to begin by steadying your balance with one hand on the wall, or you can hold onto a piece of furniture. Remember, even if you lose your balance, try to recover your pose using your balancing skills. You’ll improve faster.

Most of these exercises are simple yoga stretches or poses. Yoga is great for developing both balance and strength. If you have poor balance, start by wearing shoes. When your balance improves, do the same exercises in bare feet or get yourself some slip-free yoga socks. You can also practice on a yoga mat.

_{Note: These exercises are for information only and are not meant to be medically correct. Not all exercise is suitable for everyone and this or any exercise program may result in injury. To reduce the risk of injury, never force or strain yourself during exercise. If you get dizzy, or feel pain, stop and seek medical attention if necessary.}

1- Hands and Knees Balance - This exercise is popular in both yoga and Pilates classes. On all fours, lift your right leg off the floor, stretching it out behind you. Hold for a few seconds, return to all fours and repeat with the left leg. When you can do this easily, add raising the opposite arm, stretching it out in front of you, or out to the side while you raise your leg. Hold for up to 30 seconds. Remember to breathe! (You can pad your knee with a towel for greater comfort).

2 - Leg Lift - From a standing position, raise your left knee so your leg is at a 90 degree angle. If that's too hard, you can grasp your raised knee with one or both hands. Focus your eyes on something that is not moving and is a few feet in front of you. For example, look at a spot on the floor. Practicing holding the position for up to 30 seconds before doing the same exercise with the right leg. If you want more of a challenge, extend your leg out in front of you. It doesn't matter how high you lift the extended leg.

3 - Balancing Star - From a standing position, again focus on a stationary spot and raise your right leg out to the side while you raise both your arms out to the side in a “star” position. This exercise strengthens your legs, shoulders and hip flexors while you work on improving your balance. Try to hold the pose for thirty seconds, then repeat the same thing on the other side.

Don't ever hold your breath when practicing a balancing exercise. Breathing deeply and evenly actually helps you to hold your balance.

1- Tree Pose- You can begin with a modified position where you put your weight on your right leg and place your left foot to the inner side of your right ankle. When you feel balanced, place your palms together at your chest. Work up to a full tree pose where your foot is placed above the opposite thigh and your arms are above your head. (Never place your foot against the opposite knee as that can damage the knee area). Hold the pose for up to 1 minute. If you lose your balance, try to recover, or just start over. Repeat on the other leg.

2- Dancer Pose - Stand with your feet a few inches apart and grab your left ankle or foot behind you with your left hand. If that's too difficult, simply bend your leg at the knee without grabbing your foot. Lift your right arm straight up. Aim for bringing your knees close together. Hold the position for up to one minute. Repeat on the other side. If you want more of a challenge, hinge your body forward, lifting your leg higher, while you hold the pose.

For better balance and to become a more “well-rounded” thinker try practicing three balance postures for 15 minutes a day, four days a week. As your balance improves, you may want to consider taking a yoga class where many additional balancing poses are offered. If you thought yoga was all about trying to get your body twisted into a pretzel position, you’re wrong. Yoga is not only great for improving your balance, it is excellent for lowering blood pressure, reducing stress, improving the libido, and keeping you more flexible. Some yoga classes will even give you a good cardio workout. If you would rather continue practicing at home, considered getting a balance platform ball and instruction handbood.

Whatever method or location you choose, improving your balance will help you to use both sides of your brain with equal agility promoting a stronger, healthier mind/body connection.

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