Balance Alert: If nothing has worked, it's time to try something new

Falls are a major concern among older adults and as baby boomers get older, falls are an increasing threat to their safety, independence and well-being.  If you're reading this and you're over the age of 60, it's better for you to be diagnosed with cancer than it is to fall down unexpectedly.

Falls are the leading cause of death and non-fatal injury for people over age 65.  In other words, if you're of mature age and unexpectedly come to rest on the ground, you could severely and permanently injure yourself or worse yet, even die if you hit your head.

Another growing problem is if you fall,  you might be stuck on the floor until someone finds you.  A reported 47% of people  over age 65 who fall cannot get up from the floor without assistance. This is frightening!  If you live alone and accidentally trip over your cat, you might be stuck on the floor for hours or days until someone finds you and can help you get up.

I'm not here to scare you but these are the hard facts.  People fall.  People can't get up.  Older people fall and break bones.  They hit their head.  For this reason, people over age 65 are URGED TO JOIN balance training and fall prevention classes, especially if you live alone!

Unfortunately, most balance classes aren't teaching you how to improve your balance.  Yes, you can side step and maybe even stand on one leg but what about your vision?  Can you feel when you're about to lose your balance?   Do you know how to react when you are losing your balance?  How do you get up from the floor?  Can you walk steady?  ARE you able to stop suddenly without losing your balance?

As a fall prevention specialist for over 15 years and a brain-based therapist,  I'm here to tell you that if you're not training your vision and activating the inner ear balance system, your balance will only improve so much.  The"Balance Manual" will NOT help you.

If you've tried everything and still feel unbalanced, I urge you to join my 4-week Brains and Balance Training with Coach Kelly class.  IF you can stand on one foot for 30 seconds but still feel dizzy when you turn your head, you need my class.  If you can do 20 chair stands or march in place for 2 minutes but still don't know when you're losing your balance (aka, falling), you need my training program.

I respect senior fitness trainers who teach strength, balance and flexibility skills three times a week.  The ones who tell you to stand up straight, throw your shoulders back and even have you stand on one leg.  They're training ONE component of balance; your proprioceptive system.

Newsflash:  There are three body systems involved in balance.  If you've tried every 'movement' drill possible and your balance isn't what you want, it's time to try something new.

Brain-based training is the future of fitness.  I am certified, trained and experienced in teaching you how to train the three body systems of balance and movement.  The systems your brain relies on to move safely through life.

2019.  It's time to transform your balance.  If you've tried everything and nothing works, it's time to try something new.  2019.  It's time to try something new.

I've invested in my continuing education so it's time you invest in yourself.
4 weeks.  8 sessions.  $125 per person.  Older adults only.

I can tie my own shoes now!!!

While the face of participants in my FallProof™ balance & mobility classes is getting younger, I still have the honor of coaching a few people over the age of 80.  In the April session at Fit4-U, I had both the 83-year old mom and her 56-year old daughter in class.  This was quite a combination and both did exceptionally well.  In fact, the oldest member of the class was also the most improved!

Barbara came to the Fall Prevention 101 workshop I presented at the local Church of Latter Day Saints and she was told me she eager to get started on the homework exercises since her balance was 'horrible'.  She was the first person in the door on the first day of balance training and she proudly stated that she had been doing her homework every night!

She came to class using a walker and said she only used it once in awhile and mostly because her daughter was so worried about her balance.  I assured her it was ok to use it when necessary and smiled as I said, 'you won't be needing that when I'm done with you!'.

By the fourth class, Barbara had switched from bringing her walker with her to carrying a cane.  She didn't use either in class but carried them 'just in case'.  The improvement in her walking gait became evident to everyone by the fifth class; she was standing taller, no longer looked at the floor and her walking stride was longer and stronger.

On the first day of class, she refused to do the sit and reach assessment because her back and legs were so stiff, it hurt for her to bend forward toward her toes.  I showed her a modified way to do that exercise and on the last day, she not only did the assessment but also scored in the 37th percentile for women her age in lower body flexibility!!!

At the last class, she was so excited about everyone's kind responses to her noticeable posture and walking gait improvements.  She was in tears as she recollected how she couldn't touch her toes or put on her own shoes before participating in this class.  She smiled ear to ear as she talked about how surprised her daughter in Arizona will be with her improvement when she visits next month.

A wise, vibrant woman, Barbara gets the connection between staying active and being independent.  She can't wait to repeat the beginner class in June and I can't wait to see her again, too!

Movement is life.  Start living.
The Fall Prevention Lady