How to Balance Your Training

As athletes, one of the biggest aspects of our performance should always be balance. Regardless of the sports or training activity you do, if you don't have balance, you will not be successful. Balance is incredibly important to any athlete. It prevents nasty injuries, but it also allows the athlete to fully give themselves to their chosen field of training and/or sport. Without it, mastering any type of athletic techniques and skills would be impossible.

While everyone just naturally assumes they have balance, this is not necessarily the case and since this is such of fundamental importance to all athletes, it just makes sense to take some time out of a training program to incorporate some balance training and exercises. For many, balance training can be found in group or individual classes of Pilates and Yoga. Both of these art forms focus on the core muscles of your body (which dictates posture and pretty much every other important muscle function) as well as connection to the mind/body. Indeed, both Pilates and Yoga, while looking deceptively easy are extremely demanding on the core muscles and will give anyone a vigorous, athletic and complete core and balance workout. Just try the tree pose for 60 seconds without moving and you will get the picture.

Pilates and Yoga will not only help you with balance but will also give you the opportunity to work on your stability, your focus and your mind/body connection. If Yoga and Pilates is not your thing, you can very easily do some balance exercises either in the comfort of your home or at the gym. Most of these exercises will involve standing on one leg, with your hands on your hips while you focus into the distance at a very specific spot. While these types of exercises may sound silly and easy, you will quickly find out that standing on one leg without moving for any amount of time will challenge your balance.

However, balance is not enough - you must also work on stability. While you may be able to balance for a short period of time, stability is what you have when you can maintain your stance, pose or position for a longer period, without failing. Stability is about keeping your body steady, sure and flexible - it is about being "a rock" and keeping your focus and being completely in your present moment. The best athlete is the one that understands that to be "the best" you have to work every part of your body - inside and out.

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Tina Avon