As discussed in the previous section, balance maintains the body’s centre of gravity over a support base. This capacity allows us to:
- Perceive movement.
- Identify the orientation of gravity.
- Determine the direction and speed of movement.
- Make postural adjustments and maintain stability.
Balance is achieved and maintained through several systems:
The Vestibular Function
This regulates balance and works in conjunction with proprioception. Located in the inner ear, it is essential for our stability and coordination.
The Vestibular System
This is a sensory organ crucial for detecting body movement. It determines posture, balance, and coordination.
Proprioception
This consists of cells located in the nerve endings, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints. It provides information about how our body is positioned in space and the location of body segments about each other.
Vision
This controls movement and enables coordination through two types:
- Visuomotor Coordination: Involves total body movement, such as dancing, walking, or running.
- Oculo-manual Coordination: This does not involve total body displacement and is reflected in actions like touching your cheek or drawing
Exercise to Work on Balance and Open Up Learning
I invite you to engage in an exercise to develop balance further and facilitate openness to learning.
Lie down on the floor in a horizontal position, allowing your body to take the shape of a stick. Close your eyes and take three deep breaths:
- Inhale… hold… exhale.
- Again… inhale… hold… exhale.
- Once more… inhale… hold… exhale.
Perceive how your body feels and how you are doing.
Now, raise your right arm vertically toward the sky, keeping the rest of your body at rest on the ground. Next, lift your left leg toward the sky, performing the movement simultaneously with your right arm. Repeat this exercise two more times and then rest.
Now, you can just switch to your left arm. Raise it vertically toward the sky and accompany it with your right leg. Repeat this movement two more times and then rest.
Finally, lift both arms and legs at the same time. Perform this movement two more times.
In the last repetition, close your eyes and rest.
This exercise improves your balance and creates space for learning and connection with your body