Balance Exercises Help Para Olympian Compete

By Suzanne Stoke, Physical Therapist @ Exercise For Balance via www.exerciseforbalance.com

One aspect of Olympian Allison Jones' preparation for the Sochi Winter Olympics is practicing balance exercises. Please see   http://www.exerciseforbalance.com/buy-now Allison Jones , who hails from Colorado springs, CO where the United States Olympic Committee has a facility, is getting ready for the Winter Olympics to begin in just a few days. Allison Jones is a very unique Olympian. She competes in the Paralympics. The Paralympic  athletes race down the same courses and compete at the same level. These extraordinary athletes, however,  do it all with a disability. Allison Jones will be competing in alpine skiing,  on one leg. "There are very few athletes that can do what she can do," said  her coach, Kevin Jardine. Jardine, the High Performance Director for Paralympic Skiing and  Snowboarding, isn't just talking about her speed on the slopes.  Jones ski races, competes in cycling, and Sochi will make her  seventh Paralympic games.   "I started my Paralympic career with the Salt Lake City Winter  Paralympics in 2002 where I won two silvers and it's been  non-stop ever since," said Jones.   You could really say her whole life has been non-stop. Jones grew  up with a disability, she was born with a birth defect and her  right leg ends about mid-thigh. "I had a lot of opportunities when I was young to realize I could  do everything I wanted to do, it's just a matter of figuring out  the little details on how to do it," said Jones. She got her start on the slopes at just five years old. She  hasn't stopped since. "(My mom) Put one ski on me, drug me up the hill, pointed me down  the hill and let go. As a five year old I thought it was amazing  and awesome. And my mom didn't realize what she had started,"  Jones explained.   Three years later she was competing on a ski race team, and 20  years later Jones is one of the best alpine ski racers in the  world.   Her coach has been the whole ride, he started coaching her at  eight years old.   "A lot of hard work, a lot of determination that's gone into it,"  said Jardine.   Sochi might be her last Winter Paralympic games.   "I'm going to make sure that I go out in style and at least have  fun and do my best," said Jones.   After years of racing on the slopes and on the track, Jones knows  it's not all about physical ability, even though that is a big  part. Sometimes it's more about mental strength.   "Relax mentally and be able to focus on each run and have a good  time," said Jones on how she approaches each race.   Jardine said through so many races in skiing and cycling, she's  mastered both the mental and physical aspects of competition. So how different are the Paralympics from the Olypmics? Allison  said, not much. "We race as hard, we go down the same slopes, we're not, it's not  any easier, we still have to train and be physically ready for  the race, the only difference is we're doing it with a physical  disability," she explained.   They don't like to compare themselves to able bodied athletes,  but in some aspects, you could say the Paralympics are more  challenging. For one thing, Jones must work hard on developing exceptional balance skills to stay upright on one leg in a downhill skiing competition.

Balance Exercises For Downhill Skiing

Balance exercises are a critical component of Allison Jones' preparation for the Paralympic Games. One of the main aspects of her balance abilities includes learning to control her body's weight shifting over her single leg. Although most of us will never be as proficient at balance as Allison. we can all enhance our stability with movement activities by learning to control our weight shifting and to develop excellent balance reactions at our feet and ankles. One way to establish outstanding equilibrium is to stand on one foot and slowly move our body weight forward over our foot, followed by a slow and controlled shifting of our body weight backwards towards the heel. By practicing this slow and controlled movement, we will be able to advance our balance skills and limit any potential of falling and getting hurt. You can perform this balance exercise and other more advanced routines by following the direction of a knowledgeable Physical therapist in the Exercise For Balance DVD.

Balance Exercises In The Exercise For Balance DVD

    Whether you are a skier, an athlete or a senior wanting to avoid a fall, begin the best balance exercises with the Exercise For Balance DVD. The easy to follow Balance DVD is the perfect instructional tool to use at home or in a group setting. The professionally filmed  DVD comes filled with the best balance and strength exercises needed to enhance senior fitness and to perform basic activities like walking, standing, stair climbing or to advance to high level activities like dancing and hiking. In the Exercise For Balance DVD, you will learn how to improve balance, balance techniques and balance routines from a balance trainer (licensed Physical Therapist) who has worked with balance and dizziness disorders for over 20 years. Get your copy of the Exercise For Balance DVD by clicking on the BUY NOW button

 Maximize your balance abilities by starting balance exercises today with the Exercise For Balance DVD to improve balance and prevent falls.
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