Anyone who has participated in one of the balance and mobility training classes I instruct in the Northern California region will more than likely automatically demonstrate the "wide stance reaction" when they hear those words. Some may smile as they remember me saying with a grin, "Put some flare into it!"
One of the crew putting some flare into her wide stop!
Imagine you are walking along a sidewalk and something catches your eye in the window of store; you stop to look at the item as you're passing by. Think for a minute:
- Are your feet close together?
- Are they facing the same direction?
- Is your weight centered over your feet?
- Are your feet facing one direction and your shoulders in another?
Obviously, it's easier to stop wide when you "anticipate" or see, the need to stop. But what about those times when you have to stop suddenly? You're Christmas shopping and you have to dodge the masses; stopping and starting along the path for your own safety!
Stop Wide is a balance and mobility training technique used to increase safety whenever you stop walking; expectantly or suddenly. Class participants line up on one side of the room. After I demonstrate proper walking form, I show how to "stop wide". Some giggle as I exaggerate my wide stop but they're usually the ones who remember; feet wide!
Then it's the participant's turn; they start walking across the room, practicing proper walking form and physically responding to my verbal cues to correct form. Suddenly, they hear a loud "STOP" command!
Some instantly come to a stop then step feet out wide, some keep on walking. You may suddenly hear someone say "WIDE" as they remind classmates in proper form. Then there some who literally hang on by their toes as they regain sense of body position (where the body parts are in space; oriented to body position) and slowly place feet in proper wide stance.
Senses awakened, they start walking again, "STOP". Physical responses quicken as neurons start firing and people's 'stop pattern' becomes more efficient. The message 'wide' slowly hits home and the feet go out. As we continue to practice this STOP WIDE exercise in conjunction with other walking gait patterns, I see the vast improvements in stability, mobility, balance and coordination in each participant.
This is one of my favorite fundamental mobility strategies taught in the FallProof™ progam and the participants love it. If you want to learn how to stop wide, register for one of my classes! If you do not live near me, video coming soon!
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