While I was in my aboveground pool this afternoon, working on improving my balance on one foot, I stumbled (ha!) onto a wonderful discovery.
I stood about two feet away from the side of the pool, with my hands extended, and pointer fingers just touching the rim of the pool. Realizing that I had to ever-so-lightly make contact with the pool rim to maintain my one-footed balance, I decided to alternately tap the pool rim with my fingers.
The tune, “The Lonely Goatherd,” also called the yodeling song, from The Sound of Music, came into my head. I was “Da-Da-Da-ing” the melody, while tapping my fingers on the pool rim, standing on one foot. Then the most miraculous thing happened. I moved back a foot or two, and continued my singing while finger tapping in space. Guess what happened? Yes! I maintained my balance for longer than I had ever done before! Amazingly, when I performed my little song-and-dance number for my wife after my swim, I was able to repeat my newfound trick.
Why is it so important to me to improve my balance?
For one thing, I do not want to ever fall. I have low blood pressure, and the doctors say it’s a great thing to have – unless you faint, fall, and break something.
For another, my balance is much worse than that of most people. I just saw a chart that shows that a sock-wearing person at age 28 can balance on one foot, eyes closed, without swaying, for 28 seconds. That time goes down to 16 seconds for a 40-year-old, 9 seconds for a 50-year-old, 7 seconds for a 60-year-old, and 4 seconds for a 70-year-old. I am 73, and I cannot keep that kind of balance for 2 seconds!
I learned from my instructor in the body movement class I recently began, that strengthening my lower body would help me with my balance. Today in the pool, I began doing one- and two-leg squats. I can only do 10 repetitions right now, but I am confident I will see improvement in that area soon. I also intend to look into a Tai Chi class, which should help my balance.
I will practice my one-footed, and heel-to-toe balance exercises and I will, hopefully, improve my overall balance. I will know if I am improving by continuing to test myself weekly.
Yodel-O-Dee-Lay-Hee-Hoo!
Mr. Ebsen may be contacted at robertebsen@hotmail.com
