Autumn is the time to start thinking about and preparing for winter sports. Most winter activities like skiing, skate-skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, snowshoeing and the like, require good balancing skills. At the core of this type of athletic movement is kinesthetic awareness (knowing where your body is in space and time) and proprioception. Proprioception is the neurological component to kinesthetic awareness. Think, better underfoot sensitivity and connection to the earth.
Below you will find exercises to help you develop better balance and proprioception.
1. Rendezvous Chickadee Trail. Perform 2 sets of each exercise for 60-90 seconds.
2. As you become more balanced, build your skills using props to stand on. Look around your backyard, on the trail or neighborhood park for the following props for your balance routine:
• Rock or small bump in the ground
• Curb or root
• Stump or bench
You can do this balance session just about anywhere. You can also easily integrate this short session into any other workout.
These exercises also strengthen the lower body. There is some correlation between balance exercises and strength training exercises.
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