Balance and being still
Physical Education · Early Years · The School
Balancing
Stand on one foot and count. Now try it with your arms out. Then try again with your arms by your sides. Arms out is easier. They help you correct small wobbles. Now try with your eyes open, then with your eyes shut. It is much harder shut. Your eyes were doing a lot of the work.
Different bases
Balance on two feet. Then on one foot. Then on hands and feet. Then on your bottom with your feet lifted. The fewer points touching the floor, the harder it gets. A wide base is steadier than a narrow one. That is why you stand with your feet apart on a moving bus. Nobody had to tell you.
Holding still
Hold a shape for five seconds without moving. Being still is hard work. Your muscles are making tiny changes all the time. That is why a gymnast holding a position looks calm. They are not.
Start on all fours. That is four points on the floor. It is easy to hold. Now lift one hand. Three points. Harder. Now lift the opposite foot too. Two points. You will wobble. Count to five in each one. Fewer points means harder. But spreading out the points you have left makes it easier again. Try the two-point balance with your hand and foot far apart. Then try it with them close together.