After you master stationary balance exercises, it’s time to challenge your balance through walking exercises. These practical exercises will help you move confidently, both on busy streets and on uneven trails.
Heel Walk
From a standing position, pull your toes toward your shins so that only your heels contact the floor.
Take small steps forward while keeping your toes off the ground.
Toe Walk
From a standing position, raise up on the balls of your feet so that your heels are off the ground as high as they will go.
Walk forward while staying on the balls of your feet and keeping your heels off the ground.
March in Place With Head Turns
This exercise prepares you for the next exercise.
From a standing position, march in place by alternately raising one knee in front of your body at a time to hip height.
Swing your bent arms as you normally would when you are marching or walking, with the opposite hand and knee coming forward.
Match the cadence of your marching by alternately turning your head to the same side as the knee that you lift.
Walking with Head Turns
Walk straight ahead using confident strides swinging your arms normally with the opposite hand and foot coming forward.
Match the cadence of your steps by turning your head to the same side as the foot that’s stepping forward . In other words, look right when you step forward with your right foot and look left when you step forward with your left foot.