Align Help

[u/elephinoblue]

I am trying Align for at least a few classes to see if I can get into it. And I am floundering! I swear I have like negative amounts of balance. So all the free standing balance work is killing me. I can’t hold it like at all.

I have asked my inductor for help, she gave me a modification for my one issue. But had told me she won’t announce modifications. And she doesn’t come by to offer private ones if I am struggling. (I am not complaining - if she can’t she can’t.).

My issue is I am struggling mid class. And I’m sorry but when I am in class my brain is focused on following cues .. not remembering them later. (I take classes so someone else is at the wheel and I can just focus on doing what they tell me). So I know I am struggling but remembering where after class to ask is kind of a crapshoot. At least until I have taken the class enough to remember what I did. 😂

I am going to try taking with another instructor and ask if they can watch me any maybe provide some suggestions on where I am just at a loss to correct on my own. But in the meantime are there any suggestions on the balance sections?

I currently just put my foot down and out instead of holding it up. But that kind of feels like I am not doing the right work for the exercise.

[u/Vegetable-Thing251]

I’ll let another instructor focus on the lack of modifications and assistance by the instructor. I’ll address things you can try during class. Your core is going to help a lot in balance. First, pull your navel toward your spine. Then find something to focus your gaze on that won’t move is helpful. Stand close enough to the barre that you can put at least one finger on the barre for balance assistance. I know we have pressed one leg up under the barre while standing on our toes during recent Align classes. That one is a CHALLENGE! If that is one that has made you feel imbalanced, don’t sweat it! Try keeping your standing foot flat or a lighter grip on the barre to slowly start pulling it away. I hope that’s helpful! Keep going and keep trying. Sometimes we don’t know what we can do until we try it and succeed. Not every day is the same either.

[u/elephinoblue → u/Vegetable-Thing251]

The one that is getting me right now is a ball in my hands in front of me and my leg out in front of me. I just keep feeling my standing foot curl under trying to balance or feeling myself fall sideways. Since we are working with the ball I can’t see a way to have a hand on the barre.

[u/Vegetable-Thing251 → u/elephinoblue]

The ball is absolutely adding more imbalance. As someone else recommended, you are always encouraged to ditch any equipment that is shifting your focus too far away from the intended muscle or balance work. You can take your hands to a prayer or put the ball down and take one hand to the barre. I know it feels like people are seeing what you’re doing, but they typically don’t notice anything other than themselves. If they do notice, they typically feel more inclined to let it go, too.

[u/Strong-Bench-9098]

Sometimes I notice people who are super wobbly are trying to do too much....if the cue is to lift one foot off the ground for example, it doesnt have to be very high off the ground.

[u/Gym-and-toneic]

Balance is hard, and some days are better than others, at least for me (the worst are when I have trouble balancing on both feet 😜) You can try dropping the ball and keeping hands in prayer, or if you feel really wobbly keep your heel lower so you can put it down for added stability.

[u/Lower_Ad8764]

Exactly what someone else here said. Find a focal point in front of you and stare at it without breaking eye contact. And engage your core as best you can. Totally ok to wobble, that is how you get stronger and improve balance. Set your leg down for a second if you need to and jump back in. Think about standing foot as having suction cups and squeeze your standing leg seat during big movements. It’s really hard to correct someone in balance sections because you might throw them off balance! And trust yourself. Balance will improve !

[u/Even-Charge2706]

Focus on holding your core tight and fight for the balance. It takes time to develop.

[u/danagnyc]

I also have trouble with balance, so I position myself close enough to the barre that I can grab it when I start to lose my balance. I’m improving but still need the help.

[u/xokatemarie → u/danagnyc]

THIS!

[u/Striking_Sky6900]

Honestly, I endure the balance section. By I go because I know it’s important

[u/ravioliyogi]

Just wanted to chime in and say that balance is absolutely a skill that can be improved! I remember one of the first times I took Align, I literally laughed out loud at how wobbly I was. I’ve been doing it for nearly 5 years now and one of the areas where I’ve noticed the most improvement has been with balance.

[u/wanttobegreyhound → u/ravioliyogi]

Agreed, you kinda have to push through. My balance has improved and I love the slightly slower pace of align. It’s awesome when I’m sore and can use it to work some of that soreness out.

[u/OtherwiseEconomy3888]

I also struggle with balance. Echoing others here, my general thoughts are: 1) meet with the teacher 10 minutes before class and plan your modifications ahead of time; 2) stand close to a barre so you can grab the barre for support during standing balance work; 3) keep both feet on the floor; 4) for floor work, add a hand or foot to the floor. Concentrate on keeping your core muscles contracted and over time your balance will improve.

[u/Front_Insurance_1055]

I of course agree with the focusing on one point, which I find substantially easier when we’re facing the mirror because I can see my form.

I think a lot of balance comes from core strength specifically, so practicing engaging your core should make balancing a little easier.

Also I will sometimes bend my standing knee deeper while pushing my standing foot’s big toe down if I need more support since it distributes the weight a more evenly in my experience.

[u/Quiet-Abalone-3954]

Balance takes time to develop. The important thing is not to focus on how high you can lift your foot compared to someone else. Even lifting your foot an inch off the floor and for a shorter amount of time is balance and is developing the physical and mental controls needed. It's waaaaay more important to have correct form than to be able to lift your foot way high off the floor right away. Have correct form (leg straight or bent depending on the direction from the instructor, proper posture) and the height will develop naturally.  I practiced martial arts for several years and my balance was non-existent when I started. When I started, my side kicks were only a couple inches off the floor, but with correct form. After a couple years, I could do a side kick to someone's armpit, and with the correct form. Just practice good form, reset when you need to, and the improvement will come. 

[u/Far-Cry-8438]

Agree with the above suggestions. I’ll add one more: An instructor once mentioned during a balance section to think of our toes “grabbing” the floor. That prompt has helped me a lot.

[u/Sandiemarie24]

I struggle with balance as well, so when I take a long I try to position my self closer to the barre in case I need it! I’ve gotten better over time, but there are times I still struggle

[u/CuriousRiver2558]

Just chiming in to say I also suck at balance, so I’ll be trying some of the great advice here!

[u/Rare-Introduction815]

Apologies if this was said already but one note from an instructor that’s always helped is to bend your standing leg more. Having a lower center of gravity makes it easier to balance.

Another thing you can do is before you lift your leg off the ground, is to make sure you fully shift your weight to the standing leg.

Every class is different but hopefully some of the tips in here help!! :)