It’s easy to think of balance as being able to stand still, or on one leg. It’s a measure, but not necessarily the most useful one.

When holding on makes balance harder

The last few weeks I’ve been working with a lady who’s had difficulty with her walking. Her fear of falling meant that she’s fixed her musculature. So that she feels stronger. But stiffening her pelvis and back has made it harder for her to move and adjust, and more fearful of moving. When you hold your spine still, your steps can become smaller and less adaptable. We’re designed that when our legs move, our pelvis, spine and ribs move too- a cascade of movement.

Sometimes it’s easier to notice what a part contributes when we briefly reduce its involvement.

Feel for yourself

So stand up and take a few steps. See if you can feel if your pelvis and back take part. And then pause. Fix the muscles of the pelvis so it doesn’t move. Keep it like that, and now try to take steps. If you need to, do this near a stable support, and only do as much as is comfortable for you.
How does it feel? After you’ve taken a few more steps in this very restricted way, now let go slowly of the muscles you were holding, and then walk again. Hopefully the contribution of your pelvis in the mix will be a little clearer.

Sometimes, in trying to be steady, we hold ourselves so firmly that it becomes harder to adjust.