Maintaining Balance Is Crucial As We Grow Older

Has anyone ever told you that you have rocks in your head?

It was undoubtedly meant as an insult, but it’s true, you know. Or sort of true.

Actually, the balance organ in the inner ear is lined with tiny hair-like cilia. There are also tiny calcium carbonate stones – the so-called rocks in your head.

When you tilt your head or your head tilts as a result of the movement of your body, these little stones cascade down the cilia, which send a message to your brain that the head has moved.

For instance, when I do the “tree” posture in yoga, I’m supposed to be able to stand on one foot like a big number 4.

Uh-huh.

I do pretty well with my left knee up but, because of various long-standing (not meant as a pun) skeletal issues, I have problems maintaining my balance with my right knee up.

If I didn’t have those “rocks” in my head to send out the warning that my head is tilting, I wouldn’t have “sense” enough to put my foot down before I fall against the bookcase which would probably drop a heavy book or two on the one foot I’m standing on.

The bookcase would then fall on top of me (it’s taller tha
I am) and break a bone or two (maybe even the spine – hopefully a book spine instead of mine).

I don’t mean to make light of this issue. (Well, okay, I do; sometimes it is better to laugh than to cry.) It is a serious issue for those of us who are getting older.

My mother had inner ear problems and fell numerous times; twice she broke her back. Others suffer from broken legs, hips, arms and/or shoulders as a result of impaired balance.

Which is why I do yoga in the first place. It helps improve my balance and helps me keep in touch with the working of my body.

On those days when I can hold the “tree” to a slow count of ten on each side, I give myself a pat on the back (literally) and sit down to do some breathing exercises.

Then I finish up with the deep relaxation posture. After doing yoga – if I do it right – I feel lithe and limber, younger and downright frisky.

If you have balance problems – if you suffer dizziness or vertigo – see your doctor.If you want to improve your balance and increase flexibility, do yoga. If someone tells you that you have rocks in your head, just smile and nod.