CHANGING ROOM CHAT... APRIL 2... THINK LIK... - Strength & Flex

Strength & Flex

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CHANGING ROOM CHAT... APRIL 2... THINK LIKE a TREE...PART ".

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator
10 Replies

Hi everyone.

Here I am again with yet another chat in mind!

Following last week's post. I am still thinking...like a tree. Even more so at the moment I feel, with all the strong winds that we have been experiencing here in the Moorlands!

We all need to be really vigilant when we are out there right now!

So... last week we chatted about the strength that we all need, in our exercise routines, to support our chosen sport; the strong core. ( The tree trunk).

This week...I am thinking , roots!

Now, any one of us who have done any of the exercises from Yoga with Adriene, will be aware, that on many many of her sessions, she refers to being, rooted in the ground. Standing or sitting, solidly, and making a very tangible, physical and mental, connection with the ground beneath us.

Why am I thinking about this? Well, mainly, because of the connection with, balance!

Whatever we do, walk, run, cycle, row, climb or whatever... balance plays a significant part.

NB

Please, please please, do not think that balance exercises are just for the more seasoned of us, ( like me), they are absolutely not! They are for all of us.

Practicing balance exercises can give us so much benefit...strengthening those ever important core muscles, improve our stability and improve the way we move on our feet!

Our balance is so, so important at any age in many, many ways. We ,more seasoned forum friends know as we age, that the way we move, becomes increasingly important. We need to be sure that we can avoid falls and move with confidence. Good balance can make us all feel more powerful in our activities and the fitness benefits are endless.

It might be of interest to note that as with some of our stretches, in balance, there is dynamic balance and static balance!

This is the definition that I found …

* Dynamic Balance: The ability to move outside the body’s base of support while maintaining posture control

* Static Balance: The ability to maintain the body’s centre of mass within its base of support.

Okay!

What should be be trying , exercise wise if we want to address this? Mr OF and I are attending T'ai Chi classes each week. They are a source of relaxation and yes, exercise to, for me and for Mr OF.

T'ai Chi is recommended for the benefits in many areas, but particularity, for strength and balance; Mr OF's balance has improved, dramatically, and I really mean that... in just the relatively short time we have been doing it.

So... take a look.?

Other recommended exercises?

* Dead Bug... ( or tired bug! ) See precious Changing room chat post.

* Tree Pose

* Single leg dead-lift

* Reverse lunges

I'm not going to fill the post here with links... just scroll around for the exercises you feel you may be able to use.

E.g.

There is a Balancing Flow exercise on Yoga with Adriene.

Adidas too, do a series of 8 exercises, How to improve Balance.

I am linking, however, to the NHS balance exercises and again... do not assume they are just for anyone older... they work for us all. They are simple and effective !

nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/b...

Okay... some new ideas there, and some that some of you, may be incorporating into your routines already!

If you get time... take a read, have a scroll around and let us know your thoughts!

The balance bit is maybe something that if we are not thinking about, we do need to start thinking about …

“ Balance ( noun): stability found at the centre of acceptance “

Looking froward to seeing a few of you here.

Oldfloss..

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Oldfloss
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10 Replies
Gthants profile image
GthantsGraduate

I do my tai chi warm up almost every day, before or after my first shoulder exercises of the day. Not sure what it does exactly, but I enjoy it and it makes me feel ... ready, I guess. Wish I could do a class, but there's not one near here.

I did try a Qigong video this morning, but that didn't work at all for me!

Still need to add more strength exercises ...

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator in reply to Gthants

The T'ai Chi class certainly helps... in a group with excellent leadership too. But you are doing it and it helps...

This strength exercises... yes... they really do impact... just a matter of getting into the habit? Easier said than done, I know.

grumpyoldgirl profile image
grumpyoldgirl

Hi Floss, balancing on one leg was a huge part of my recovery program when I broke my ankle, and it's in every pilates class I do. Balance is vital - good balance is so important and everyone can improve theirs. Every tiny adjustment our body makes as we wobble to stay on one foot strengthens our muscles all the way up our leg into our hips and core.

So, yeah. Balance, folks!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator in reply to grumpyoldgirl

Thank you so much for sharing this... all we need now is folk to read it!

So many benefits which would help with so many aspects of our exercise!

It would help with so many niggles and the aches and pains we often read about in the posts on the forums!

CBDB profile image
CBDBAdministratorGraduate Gold

Great post! I just wrote this morning about doing the James Dunne running man exercises (healthunlocked.com/strength... ) from our recent challenge as a warmup to any runs.

Doing these slow-motion is a balancing, strengthening and flexibility exercise all thrown into one, I feel! 🤣

Running Man Exercise in Slo-Mo
Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator in reply to CBDB

Thank you for sharing this link !

Bluebirdrunner profile image
Bluebirdrunner

Hi Floss,

Tree is my favourite yoga pose, but balance is used in so many other yoga postures too. Three legged dog, keeping the weight even through your shoulders, crescent moon, high and low lunges not to mention Warrior 3 or dancers pose. All great for the legs and core!

Am I selling it? ☺️🙏

The balance between family time and running time can be a little harder, but with patience and intention a way can be found...

I am all chilled from my Yoga practice writing this and everything is balanced perfectly...

🏃‍♀️🧘‍♀️🙏xxx

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator in reply to Bluebirdrunner

You are the best role model for the Yoga way! The tree pose is so relaxing, and one that I find very easy to maintain... small person tells me I am very good at it!

Thank you so much for this, I am certainly going to take a look at those other poses that you mention... and you have made an excellent point... the balance in life as well as your exercises...

Yes, it can be harder and sometimes does seem, nigh impossible, but patience and intention... (gosh I love that combination you have used) will take us where we wish to be ! xxx

PeggySusi profile image
PeggySusi

open.spotify.com/episode/5i...

I don’t know if this link will work, but it’s very interesting on the importance of our feet.. if it doesn’t, it’s episode 296 of The Drive podcast.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator in reply to PeggySusi

Thank you ! x

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