What’s your balance age?

Did you know that up to 80 per cent of your brains activity while you are awake is focused on keeping you upright and balanced? The brain gets this information from the eyes, the inner ear and the joints; this sensory feedback is used to help form an ‘executive decision’ on what needs to be done in order to remain stable. This active process is happening when you are sitting, lying, standing, walking or even dancing. So far so good, let’s take a little test now – from standing, see if you can balance on one foot for 30 seconds without wavering.

If you managed that – congratulations! If it was not so easy you’re in good company. Take a look at your “balance-based age” below, you’ll see that balance starts declining from middle age.

• 4 seconds: 70 years
• 5 seconds: 65 years
• 7 seconds: 60 years
• 8 seconds: 55 years
• 9 seconds: 50 years
• 12 seconds: 45 years
• 16 seconds: 40 years
• 22 seconds: 30 – 35 years
• 28 seconds: 25 – 30 years

Challenging our balance with small simple practices like standing on one leg for 30 seconds can help to improve the neural pathways leading to better balance over time. I’ll be showing you a number of easy yoga practices that you can do to look after and improve your balance over the coming months.

Start with this one-leg balance and if you want to challenge your brain a little more – half close your eyes or close your eyes.