Balance
STATIONARY BALANCE
Ways to Practice:
Stand with 1 foot in front of the other on either side of a line (staggered) 10 seconds –right side and left side in front
Stand with 1 foot no more than 3” in front of the other on a line 10 seconds – left side and right side – tandom stand
Tap a step with alternating feet 10 cycles
Stand with right foot on left foot and left foot on right foot for 10 seconds – to
Stand with 1 foot on the ground and 1 foot elevated on a 6” – 8” ball for 10 seconds (If this is too hard to do, place ball against the wall).
. Tap a ball with alternating feet 10 cycles
Stand on tiptoes up to 10 seconds
Stand on heels up to 10 seconds
Stand on 1 foot- both right and left sides 10+ seconds
Stand on 1 foot both right and left sides with eyes closed 10+ seconds
Puppy dog with a long tail (on hands and knees extend 1 leg and hold for up to 10 seconds) right and left legs
Pointer: Do puppy dog with a long tail and raise opposite arm, pointing out straight; hold for 10 seconds each side
Sitting still or bouncing on a ball
Statues game – running and freezing as a statue-frozen statue, not to be knocked over (student holds position while teacher gives gentle pushes in different directions)
Heel walk and toe walk with alternating feet
Practicing various yoga positions
Balance with a beanbag on your head, arm, leg, elbow or other body part
Play clapping games while holding a balance position
DYNAMIC BALANCE (balancing while moving)
Ways to Practice:
Walk with 1 foot on a line/curb for 10 consecutive steps forward
Walk sideways on a line for 10 steps
Walk backwards with 1 foot on a line for 10 steps
Walk on tiptoes, alternating feet, on a line/balance beam/curb for 10 steps
Pick up objects off line/balance beam/curb and continue walking
Stop and go movement activities: Red light-Green light; Simon Says
Tag/chasing games
Dancing activities
Climbing activities
Walking forward on various raised lines: jump rope, string, bean bags, etc.
Jumping on a trampoline
Animal walks activities
Beanbag activities: balance the beanbag on any body part while stationary or moving
Move with a partner while keeping a beanbag balanced between hands (elbows, hips, etc) of each partner