I need to improve my balance

[minnie99]

which would help more? Yoga? gym strengthening? Curves? Any other ideas? I do better attending a structured session than doing it on my own at home.:)

[Miss Giggles]

Yoga and/or a Bosu ball.

[LadyWild]

I know some of the Wii stuff is cheesy, but many of the games are specifically designed for improving balance and they are fun.

[DeeK]

I second a Bosu ball.

My trainer has me do squats on the Bosu -- then we use it like you would use a step (doing hops across it) --- squat curls w/5# weights really works the core and helps with balance too.

When I started with my trainer my top goal was to improve balance
and then strength training and agility.

He does a lot of core work --- apparently if your core is strong, balance comes along with it.

[LakeMartinGal]

I know some of the Wii stuff is cheesy, but many of the games are specifically designed for improving balance and they are fun.I'll second the Wii -- great balance exercises, and fun... all you have to do is find the time!;)

[gabbyh]

I just got a bosu for the same thing...just terrific...if I don't fall off LOL!

~Gail

[minnie99]

Thanks for your replies. I had never heard of the Bosu ball. I did look on Amazon to read about it. I then looked for yoga classes in my area. (which I did find). Then I looked for yoga mats on Amazon and saw that some were sticky and I have no idea what that is all about. (which mat is best for a beginner). I will just have to stop by the yoga studio and check it out and see for myself.:) The price for class seems to fit my budget. They do have 5 beginner classes for $25! I guess I will start there.

[DeeK]

A sticky mat helps hold your foot steadier in balance moves.

Have fun.

[tbb113]

which would help more? Yoga? gym strengthening? Curves? Any other ideas? I do better attending a structured session than doing it on my own at home.:)

Depending on the issues causing you to have balance issues, you may qualify for physical therapy. It would probably be covered by your health insurance and may be a good starting point if your physician will prescribe it for you

[Anne]

A physical therapist recommended I stand on one foot for a few minutes at a time, alternate feet on a mini trampoline - with a grab bar handy. Also recommended the theraball which might be the same as a bosu? Its about 30 inches diameter and I small dumbell exersizes and stretches on it.

[henrypilarski]

When I was a teenager I skateboarded and started out with terrible balance and my more talented friends laughing at me.

I went on a personal quest to improve my balance and although strange and unusual sounding I used stop blocks in parking lots as balance beams and kept trying to improve my speed walking across them until I could run down a series of 10 of the with ease, jumping to the next.

Maybe a way this could be applied at home without looking like a lunatic in public would be looking for a cheap balance beam or even constructing your own in your garage using a 4x4 wood beam and some old carpet.

I know that this sounds a little extreme but sometimes unconventional methods work the best for certain people.

[heavy hedonist]

actually, Tai Chi is even better than yoga for balance-- that is what it's all about. it's also a good partner exercise for both yoga and walking.

[byronlewis]

Yoga could be a longer treatment and it may take some time to show the results but the results are outstanding. A physiotherapist once suggested yoga to my sister who had some imbalancing problem after her accident.

[Robyn1007]

The first thing u need are strong legs. Keep practicing ur horse stance to build leg strength then practice standing on 1 leg. It also helps with sobriety tests.

Horse stance? Sobriety tests? :rolleyes: Reported.