Variety is good

Well, Sue, that certainly is a strange lead-in. Yes, it is. Lots of things are strange … particularly how things connect in our minds at times.

There I was, walking backward up a steep hill (well ahead of the unit in case of an incident … wouldn’t want to be crushed by a falling outhouse!) supervising angles and distance below the unit when I realized … about half way up … my shins and glutes were not happy. Ah ha! Something to write about on my blog, I thought to myself…

Quite some time ago there were a series of posts on walking and baby steps to changing your routine – variations on a theme. This is one I hadn’t thought of at the time.

When we walk in our normal manner (or do any other routine for that matter), our body quickly adapts to the methodology. It is important to constantly add in little ‘surprises’ to keep the body ‘on its toes’ so to speak. This one (and tomorrow’s) will do just that.

Is there an area near you, perhaps where you walk now, that has a fairly steep incline? Yes? Perfect.  If not, see if you can think of one. If not, try this the next time you chance upon a hill.

Walk normally until you get to the incline area. Then, turn around backwards and walk up the incline in reverse. If you don’t do this regularly, you may need to pay extra attention to your surroundings … it is more difficult than you think.  While walking in reverse, be aware of how your body is reacting differently. The way it automatically adapts for balance; your weight distribution on your feet; the different stress on your knee and hip joints; the new sensations in your muscles.

These types of exercises are important parts of adaptation for your brain and are very useful as we age. The more aware we are of our spatial orientation, the better balanced our bodies will be. The more balanced we are, the less chance of falling and being injured.

Tomorrow: a variation on this concept.

To better balance…

Susan Crutcher, RRPr, CPTN-CPT, PHC

Life Empowerment Mentor, Health & Wellness Coach, Baby Steps to Success Expert

www.SueCrutcher.com; www.Sutopia.com

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Susan Crutcher is the author of “Health & Wellness Made Simple” and is currently working on a series of self empowerment books which incorporate her baby steps to success theory. She is a life empowerment mentor, health and wellness coach, baby steps to success expert and motivational speaker, is certified in personal training and over a dozen complementary care modalities with over 30 years of teaching experience. Susan is manager of Greystone Retreat (a luxury rental home on Georgian Bay), co-founder of Academy of Holistic Modalities Inc (holistic education), editor of the Reflexology Registration Council of Ontario (RRCO) newsletter ‘In Touch’ and a founding member of the Grey-Bruce Spiritual Network (GBSN). Download and enjoy a free sample of her book at: www.SueCrutcher.com