Standing on one leg - it’s easier the Pilates way!

Being able to stand on one leg for 20 seconds has been proven to be a way of checking your overall health. It’s great to incorporate this daily into routines such as brushing your teeth, or waiting for the kettle to boil. But what if it feels wobbly just lifting your leg?

Well, you can start by holding onto something just to get your brain into recognising the movement. To increase your time in standing, use some “Pilates thinking” to focus on your standing leg: Feel your big toe into the floor, but keep the weight into the back of your foot. Straighten the knee completely - if you keep it bent you are preparing for moving forwards, which will unbalance you. Keeping your knee straight will help you find your gluteal muscle (in your buttock). Feel the inside thigh muscles lifting upwards to your hips. Draw your waist in, don’t push your ribs forwards.

Does it feel different? You can use “Pilates thinking” for most of your normal movements through the day!

By Anneli McCullagh, BSc Physiotherapy, Pilates Teacher