to ask if there is anyone else here who can't balance on one leg?

[Wolfbasher]

At my yoga class everyone can stand on one leg and do bloody poses like Eagle and Warrior 3.

It turns out I CANNOT balance on one leg. At all. I wobble about and the other leg goes down. I can't stand still with one leg lifted up. I can't put one sock on while standing up.

I have always thought this was perfectly normal, but it seems that I am totally weird.

Oddly enough, I have been part of a research study (not related to this) which tested for balance issues as a side-issue of other things, and found that I definitely had none. They didn't ask me to stand on one leg though, it was more fiddling about with my inner ear ;)

Am I alone? Are there others out there like me?

I cant plus I cant ride push bikes either :(

Interesting MaddHugger. I can ride a bike. I can ski too, or could 20 years ago which is the last time I did it.

Lol you are never alone on the internet. I struggle with this too but there are specific exercises you can do to improve. I'm still not brilliant but a lot better (brain problem apparently). Google it and check them all out as we are all different and what works for me might not work for you.

you are never alone on the internet Sounds like a strap line for a horror flick :)

What a coincidence! I went to my first ever yoga class last night and was reminded that I can't stand on one leg. I knew but I'd forgotten. I am also incredibly uncoordinated, don't know my right from my left and although I can see and hear which leg and arm should be where I can't make mine do the same.

I can't either but I found out almost two years ago when d's was also diagnosed that I'm dyspraxic.

Do people who can balance on one leg grip the floor with their toes? I seem to stand back on my heels, perhaps this is part of it.

Could it be more to do with a weakness in your legs/ankles?
I wobble more when balancing on my left foot, but I've always had issues with my knee and ankle in that side.

I think my legs are quite strong, Natasha, but they are definitely inflexible (tight hamstrings ) - I can't put my hands to the floor with straight legs, or lie on my back with my legs vertically pointing up.

I'm really not made for yoga, am I?!

You can try bending the supporting knee a bit- that really helps!

I've learned, over many years of karate training, that the above does work, plus fixing your gaze on a particular spot. Still get the wobbles from time to time though.

Things that help me are focussing on a spot on the floor somewhere a few metres in front and imagining a string going from the spot to your forehead, like the guyrope of a tent. Also engaging all the core muscles really helps, try to balance from there rather than your foot, make sure you are standing with equal weight on front back, left and right of the foot, maybe lean back a little. Many of us have developed a slightly forward leaning posture (probably from too much time on the computer!) which off-balances us.

wolf

oops does that make me sound more like a horror movie slasher? how about just lol then

Me. Never have been able to.
I have to hold onto something when I lift a foot even slightly off the floor. Trying shoes on is a particular hell

I'm sure you can do it! Just lock out your knee and really focus on each of your toes pushing into the ground as well as the heel. Practise makes perfect

The inflexibility could be causing instability I guess.
But surely gentle yoga should gradually improve that?

I find that if I stare at a spot like crazy it helps along with bending my supporting leg and concentrating on my breathing.
I do 3 Body Balance classes a week and have done for nearly 2 years now and I still struggle with the balance track. My tree is less windy these days but the dancers pose at the end of this release is testing me big time, I just cannot seem to get to the end of each side without falling over

I can't either due to been run over years ago and fucking my leg up.

I still try though!

ally, I picture you looking like a lovely normal mum, typing away, and then the lights dim and you stare into the screen with a demonic laugh and eyes glinting red

Laconic - that is exactly like me.

Natasha - think I need to do yoga every day to really improve my flexibility, rather than once a week. Even back pre-kids when I had a phase of doing it three times a week I was comparatively inflexible (compared to others in the class) though better than now. Still couldn't balance on one leg though. It is odd.

The teacher is always saying 'push your foot into the ground' which I don't really get, I mean if I didn't have that foot on the ground, I'd be levitating.

I can't balance on one leg, ride a bike, ski, rollerskate or walk in heels.

Am wobbly and proud!

lol wolf can you see me?

ok everybody try this www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/fitness/multimedia/balance-exercises/sls-20076853?s=2

do the first 2 pages then when you can master this try page 2 with your eyes shut (near a wall obviously to grab on to)

I think it's a matter of practise.

I used to be able to stand on one leg for a certain amount of time before I wobbled and toppled over. Now I can do it far, far longer but I've had to practise loads over the years.

I don't grip at all. I've just done it and realised I kind of spread my toes!
I spread weight evenly - no leaning back on heels.