
In our quest for harmony, we tend to call on balance in various forms: work-life balance, nutritional balance, fiscal balance… But what about balance, with a capital “B”?
Balance is the body’s ability to continually adjust and maintain its centre of mass over the base of support, while stationary or in motion. This capacity relies on receptors located in our muscles, joints, skin, eyes, and ears, all orchestrated by our nervous system.
A neglected pillar
The most overlooked word in health is balance. This attribute is often sidelined by other aspects of physical fitness such as strength and flexibility. However, balance is crucial at all stages of life: from children learning to walk to gain autonomy, to older individuals who must minimize the risk of falling to maintain that autonomy.
By working on our balance, we strengthen the stabilizing muscles of our body and improve our ability to realign ourselves, optimizing the quality of movement and reducing the risk of injury. This stability also translates into an increased ability to generate strength and power, leading to better athletic performance.
But balance goes beyond the physical as it requires concentration and mental clarity, making its training as much a mental exercise as a physical one.
Restoring balance
Simple actions like standing on one leg or walking along a line significantly enhance balance. To challenge oneself further, do these exercises with closed eyes or on an unstable surface. Single-leg strength training exercises or exercises with asymmetric weights are also recommended. Sports enthusiasts may opt for paddleboarding, slacklining, yoga, or sliding sports. As for runners, mastering single-leg jumps while maintaining perfect alignment between the hip and foot is crucial.
Virtually everything we do relies on our ability to balance. This multidimensional skill, when cultivated, contributes to a healthier and more balanced life in every sense of the word.
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