Balance Skill #3:

Do You Know Your “Center of Gravity”?

Hello everyone♪ I’m Hayakawa, your dance and rhythm exercise evangelist!

Let me jump right in—do you know where your personal **“center of gravity”** is located?

Our center of gravity lies right at the pelvis, the midpoint connecting our upper and lower bodies. More specifically, it’s centered around the **sacrum**, the triangular bone at the base of the spine.

Why is it important to know your “center of gravity”?

You might be wondering, “What difference does knowing the location make?” But if we ignore our center of gravity as we age, our bodies gradually start to tilt and lose balance.

Humans naturally have a “left-right output difference,” like being right- or left-handed. So, if unchecked, it’s only natural for your balance to get thrown off. That’s why understanding your own center of gravity is the very first step toward a body that won’t tip or lean as time goes by.

The biggest benefit of correctly identifying your center of gravity? It’s that you can **stand effortlessly without tension**! Those small, everyday moments of unnecessary strain eventually add up to aches and pains in the future.

Grasp the Ground with the “Right Spot” on Your Feet

Here’s a slightly technical tip: imagine a straight line dropping directly down from your sacrum—the center of gravity—to the ground. Your feet—the only part touching the ground—support you along this line, distributing your weight between left and right.

So, where exactly on your foot should you anchor that center of gravity? The answer is: right around **just below your ankle bone**!

Because the human body isn’t designed to move backward, and considering the slight forward lean we naturally have, the sweet spot for stability is a 2-3 cm zone from the highest point of your foot’s arch (the “instep”) toward the ankle bone. This area forms the most stable base for your center of gravity.

Try This! Training to Align Your Center of Gravity

Usually, we tend to lean too far forward or to the outside edges of our feet. Start by consciously placing your center of gravity more toward the “ankle side.”

Here’s a tip to get a feel for it: try sitting or lying on the “half-stretch pole” I mentioned last time! (Check my Instagram for details!)

Support Your Body with Your Bones: Visualize stacking your knees, hips, and shoulders directly over your properly aligned center of gravity. When your bones support each other in this way, your balance improves even more.

In Closing

Good posture and balanced alignment have a direct impact on maintaining your metabolism and stabilizing your autonomic nervous system. Most importantly, they guide you toward **graceful and elegant movements**.

Let’s stay youthful and healthy together!

With love and peaceful communication, 和-Wa-