There are many muscles involved to help you balance yourself in any position. From sitting or standing to walking or running, the better your balance, the better you can perform these activities. Sitting and standing are regarded as stable positions, while walking or running are inherently unstable movements. As your balance improves, the more stability you’ll have when performing both stable and unstable movements.
Your core strength is the core of your balance. The stronger the core muscles are, the better your balance. Your core includes the muscles of your abs, glutes and back. As described in HEALTHbeat by Harvard Medical School, “your core muscles as the sturdy central link in a chain connecting your upper and lower body. Whether you’re hitting a tennis ball or mopping the floor, the necessary motions either originate in your core, or move through it”. In other words, core strength and overall balance is necessary for everyday living.
One way to improve your balance is with a balance board yoga class. This class uses a board that has curved supports. These supports make the board wobble when you get on it. Just standing on the board is a test for your balance and your core strength. Add movements and you learn to improve that balance and core strength. Good balance gives you improved coordination, greater athletic skill and better posture. It also helps keep you from being injured. A study reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that in “two multi-intervention trials by Wedderkopp et al, that included balance board training (400 participants) showed a significant reduction in the number of injuries in the training groups compared with the control groups”.
Infinite Fitness offers a Balance Board Yoga class at a variety of times throughout the week. Check the class schedule tab on the website or our Facebook page to find the class time that works for you!