Wobble, wobble...WII eee...

I have been working with the WII Fit system for awhile. The one element that has been rather discouraging is the balance test. The initial test has you stand on the "Fitness Board" and try to remain still. My balance always seems to be too far to the left. And the line following my movement looks like it is tracking earthquake tremors. If you look at the callusing  on my feet the really heavy callus is on the left heel. 

I was feeling like it was never going to change. Then I started to do the wobble board. You know the contraption that is a board basically sitting on top of a half dome that tilts violently when you shift your weight. (tip: be near something you can grab like a tall chair.)

The more I try to balance of the wobble board the better I get at maintaining balance. But here is the added bonus. The more I practiced the wobble board the better my balance as measured by the WII Fitness board. It is almost eerie how it is shifting towards dead center. And the tremors are gone. The line tracking my shifts is getting smaller and smaller.

I am still too far back on my heels but even that is improving. The more I wobble the more I center my balance. I have been able to stand quite still at times. The great part is that the WII Fitness Board can give you feedback on how you are improving. 

But you might even be able to forgo the WII Fitness Board and just watch the calluses on your feet. Mine are lessening particularly on the left foot. No longer do I need the industrial strength pumice stone. 

What does this wobbling business have to do with reflexology? Reflexology is about maintaining balance. Posture is one of the most important balances we can maintain to achieve optimum health. I often "read" the callusing  on the feet to get an idea where the posture has shifted. Heavy calluses at the back of the heel for instance are often connected with problems in the low back.  

So wobble your way to wellnesses. Both the wobble board and the WII Fit are fun ways to do it. 

Kevin Kunz

http://www.reflexology-research.com

http://www.dk.com/reflexology

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Wii-habilitation 'could prevent elderly from falls' - CNN.com

Playing the Nintendo Wii Fit could improve balance and help avoid falls in seniors, researchers taking part in a new study suggest.

Researchers in Aberdeen think playing Wii Fit may improve the elderly's balance and lower risks of falling.

The University of Aberdeen, Scotland and the UK's National Health Service (NHS) have embarked on a four month study on people over 70 to observe any changes in balance after regular use of the Wii Fit.CNN

I love the title WII-habilitation. Years ago they used video games with kids recovering from cancer. It was supposed to help them visualize destroying the bad cells. I am not sure how well it worked but it was definitely innovative.

But why not use games to develop our much neglected sense of balance. We were taught in school there are 5 senses like that was true. The sense of balance was ignored. But try anything with a thrown off sense of balance and life becomes a living hell very quickly. The world goes topsy turvy instantly.

The foot is linked in tightly to the balance system. I have used the WII Fit system with a great deal of interest. The platform you stand on detects your minute shifts in weight and registers them in the game you are playing. The Wii Fit system also measures your balance giving you feedback as to where your balance weaknesses lie.

But the best part is that it is fun. You can use your head to bounce back soccer balls while avoiding flying shoes and panda heads and improve your balance at the same time. Or you can ski your way to better balance. There is a whole category for balance alone.

The foot becomes smarter in the process. It learns to make small movements and not to overreact. It's adaptation to changes in balance become less rigid and smoother in response. That has to be good for the brain/ foot connection.

That is where we become weak with age. Our brains lose connection with the feet and the feet lose connection with the brain. The estimates on the cost of falls are in the billions. It is the leading cause of death among seniors.

I hope WII-habilitation becomes a craze among seniors and younger folks as well. It is not just the economic costs but the terrible human costs that must be considered.

Kevin Kunz

http://www.reflexology-research.com
http://www.dk.com/reflexology