Balance. The not falling over kind of balance.
I took a nasty spill the other day. I don’t know what, besides a sharp turn and stepping from road to grass, made me fall. For a few days, my shoulder felt like Jane’s might after swinging from too many vines, and my hand was black and blue, but luckily, I’m okay. I might not be next time though.
As we age, balance becomes oh so important. Falls are the downfall of those up in years.
Have you taken the balance test? Can you stand on one foot?
I sure need to work on balance. And compared to other things to work on, like cutting down on sugar or learning to “show don’t tell” in my writing, balance work is fun.
In the April O Magazine, fitness writer Gretchen Reynolds, writes, “My regimen consists of a single exercise–brushing my teeth on one leg.”
So I’m trying to do this too: Stand on one foot while I work on my not-so-pearly whites.
For a picture for this post, I thought perhaps I could show you my bathroom,the very spot where I brush my teeth. Hmm. Boring? TMI?
I went in with my camera and found the lovely bird above. I am hoping she might be the Queen of One Foot Standing, a flamingo (although her beak is too long.) She sits in a tiny gold frame on the wall above my sink. My eyes meet hers as I brush and balance.
Any balance tips out there? Anybody swear by yoga or Tai Chi? Tightrope walking?
Photo: Cliff found the pink bird picture for me in Tijuana years ago. The print is tiny, about two by two inches.
My friend Lisa just sent me this picture. She was in the Bahamas, getting balancing lessons from an expert!
Barbara Younger
Barbara Younger blogs from her home in Hillsborough, North Carolina. Along with Friend for the Ride: Encouraging Words for the Menopause Roller Coaster (http://friendfortheride.com), she writes books for children and adults. She lives in an old house with her husband Cliff. and collections of everything from dolls to buttons to bookmarks. She's the mother of two grown daughters and the grandmother to one adorable baby boy!
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I totally agree with you Barbara, I am in my 50s and have owned horses since a teenager. I thought i was used to their gentle nudges but one little push last year knocked me over and left me with a fractured spine. Luckily i had a full recovery but it was a very worrying time.
I still have horses now but i am a lot more aware that i am more fragile than i used to be. I’m pleased you are OK after your fall.
I will try and brush like a flamingo too!
on May 25, 2012 at 12:42 pm SallySo scary. I’m sorry you were hurt. Glad you’re better now. This balance stuff is tricky.
on May 25, 2012 at 3:19 pm Barbara