A sense of balance, we are told, is essential for our wellbeing.
But there are many aspects to this.
There’s our physical balance, our mental health balance and our overall life balance.
It’s all a balancing act in itself.
My star sign is Libra – the scales – which signifies balance.
So you’d think I’d have it nailed.
But believe me, I’m still working on it.
Physical balance is something that becomes increasingly important as we get older.
When I left my full-time job of 20 years at the beginning of 2021, I took advantage of some free Yoga in the Park sessions.
I already knew at this point I had Osteoarthritis in both feet and ankles, but I had no idea how bad my balance had become.
Suddenly tree pose was trying, and Warrior 3 – well forget it.
(To be honest, it probably wasn’t just my physical balance that was out of kilter at this time.)
I did quite a bit of balance and strength work with a personal trainer, especially heading towards my first foot surgery.
Two months non-weight bearing in a cast is challenging.
A few months after I started walking again I managed to tear the calf muscle in my left leg.
So I worked with a physio to get that sorted, who again kept stressing the importance of physical balance.
Roughly 13 months later and here I am again, back in a cast and non-weight bearing.
Before I was discharged I had to do a session with the hospital physio, so he was happy I could get in and out of bed, and into/out of my wheelchair safely.
My husband asked – from a balance point of view – if I was standing briefly was it okay for my right foot to rest on the floor.
Apparently not, as this means the foot still takes between 5% and 10% load.
Not exactly NON-weight bearing then!
Don’t tell anyone, but I probably did that incorrectly last time.
Within hours of being home and getting into and out of the car, chair, bed, toilet etc. I was already starting to feel it in my left leg.
Within 24 hours my left glute was burning.
Six days on that’s settled, but I can feel all the muscles in my left leg working hard.
Now I’m also feeling my quad muscle in the right leg.
Each time I have to lift the leg to elevate it, I’m also lifting the cast.
In bed, if I want to move and the quilt is over the leg, I’m lifting that as well!
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining.
Call it learning if you like.
Psychologically, thanks to mindfulness and meditation, I actually feel quite balanced.
But now I have to bring that mindfulness into everyday decisions and movement.
Aware of what I do, where, when and how.
Balancing both the body and mind, not one separate from the other.
Now it’s a case of knowing what I can hold on to when, as I transfer from one place to another.
Chair arms, table, shower frame or chair, sink and benchtops.
Clinging on for dear life.
Balance.
The skill of my left foot to pivot around a bit.
Balance.
No longer taking everyday movements for granted.
Balance.
“The key to keeping your balance is knowing when you’ve lost it.” — Anonymous
Well I know I’ve lost some of it, but I’m definitely working on it.
When I’m up and walking again, physical balance will be a key thing I focus on.
Along with stretching to balance up the muscles in both of my legs.
But there’s little point in just balancing this physical part of my life.
Balance is a state of being — and a sense of balance is different for everyone, at different times of their lives.
I need to balance this with quiet time (meditation) and self care (me time).
Time in nature and unplugging from digital devices.
Balance is something we all need to find, however that works for you.
Ann 🙏