We constantly make very tiny movements to keep our
balance in adjustment. The brain receives messages from the
eyes, nervous system and inner ear and sends messages to the muscles
to change position or alter tension to keep us in
balance.When are posture is good and we are well centered
we need less muscle power to stay balanced. When dancing
we are making many quick changes in our positioning of our ankles,
knees, hips and body in general. Our eyes not always parallel
to the floors. Good body balance becomes more important
to make smooth complete
moves.
Balance exercises increase the sensitivity of sensors in
the feet, ankles, hips and neck and sharpen posture. They also
increase strength and speed up the body’s response to balance loss.
The goal is to maintain balance with little or no movement in your
ankles, hips or any other body part.
Try these exercises
to improve your balance and dance
1. Standing barefoot,
gently draw up your arches and lightly press your toes down on the
floor.
2. Center your body
weight between your heel, big toe joint and little toe joint and
through a relaxed but straight knee.
3. Lengthen your body up
out of your joints.
4. Direct your vision to
a spot at eye level. Focus on the target spot with an easy, relaxed
gaze; do not tense your eyes by staring.
5. With eyes open and
both hands on the countertop or chairback, continue with one hand on
your waist, then two hands; one hand at your side, then two hands;
then both hands across your chest. When you get good at this, repeat
the sequence with eyes closed.
6. Further challenge
yourself by practicing on increasingly difficult, uneven surfaces
like a mini-trampoline, rocker board or wobble board.
If
you lose your balance, try to get it back with the least possible
adjustment or by reaching out and/or lightly touching the balance
surface When you have
regained balance, take your hand off the
surface. | 
