“Balance is not something you find, it’s something you create.” — Jana Kingsford
If you think it’s hard to balance on one leg, you’ll probably find that the “Old Man Challenge” is really difficult! I saw it on social media and decided that as a 60-year-OLD woman, I should probably give it a go. The challenge is to stand on one leg (without a wall or any other support), bend down, pick up your sock and put it on, pick up your shoe and put it on, and then tie it. And then switch legs.
I’m happy to report that I was able to do this without a lot of difficulty — and I’m proud to say it’s because of my regular yoga and plank practice. Yoga, in particular, emphasizes balance — there are MANY poses designed to improve your ability to stand on one leg — while planks hone in on your core, which also improves balance.
Here’s the thing, this challenge also tests your mobility and concentration. And it’s not meant to be discouraging, causing you to throw up your hands in dismay if it’s a big fail; rather, it’s meant to make you aware of areas where you might need improvement. According to webift.com, if you have trouble bending over, you probably need to stretch more; if you lose your balance, practice exercises that involve standing on one leg; if you can’t keep your foot raised, maybe incorporate some strength training. Or, like I mentioned earlier, practice yoga and planks!
You can watch me do the “Old Man Challenge” on Instagram and YouTube. If you’re reading this, you should try it! Let me know how it goes!
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