Mind Training on a Balance Beam

A fun way to get focus and flexibility in your life.

I’ve been working on a balance beam for a couple of months. The physical benefits are huge! The micro-movements needed to stay on the beam condition my muscles and the nerves that fire them to be flexible and fluid.

I’ve noticed a massive benefit to my running. I’m running faster. And I’m sure-footed on technical trails.

Body awareness focus: moving meditation.

Ultramarathon mindset is about the connection between your mind and body for peak performance. A part of this is “body awareness.”

And balance is a key component of body awareness.

I practice the Chi Running form of running. This means I lean slightly forward and land on the middle of my foot instead of my heel.

Since working daily on the balance beam, I can feel the difference between being balanced at my ankles vs. the balls of my feet. And that few inches of difference is all it takes to make my run feel like a hard slog or an easy dance.

A deeper dive into what balance beam practice can do.

The Foot Collective is where I found this information. The video is a 20 minute explanation from Nick St. Louis, a physical trainer, about what beam practice can do for you.