Players fill the shoes of a young, 20-year-old martial artist looking to avenge their former master, who was murdered by a group of five Kung-Fu masters. Grow upĮasily the most divisive part of Sifu is the game’s aging mechanic. But anyone who ever thought Dark Souls would be better without its bonfires is going to find a masterpiece in balancing difficult yet rewarding gameplay. And while that difficulty is almost always offset by the game’s immensely satisfying combat mechanics and its addictive progression system, being a Kung Fu master can get exhausting.įor some, the challenge that Sifu presents won’t be worth it, as they spiral into a loop of dying and getting back up. Sifu is a madly challenging game, pitting players against five bosses that they have to beat over the course of one lifespan, using 70 years’ worth of time in one night thanks to a magic talisman. Not only is the main character’s journey over the course of the game about them growing into a Kung Fu master, but you, the player, will have to improve as well. Self-betterment is one of Sifu‘s many themes, along with revenge and forgiveness, but it’s the only one that ties both the game’s narrative and gameplay together. She enjoys running, golf, yoga, research on healthy aging practices, reading and learning from her patients. She encourages an active lifestyle and creative use of exercise with all her clients. For more challenge, swing the non-weight bearing leg in a diagonal plane.Īsk your Physical Therapist for specific balance exercises that can help you in your daily routine or for a balance program designed to meet your goals.ĭonna Goodwin is a physical therapist with OrthoCarolina Matthews Physical Therapy with over 25 years’ experience.
Note the small movements your balance leg does to maintain balance. Move your arms in a rotational position slowly, going back and forth from left to right.ĥ.) Single leg standing with opposite leg swings: Stand on one leg and gently swing the opposite leg forward and backward slowly. For an added challenge, try closing your eyes.Ĥ.) Half Kneel: Put one knee down on the floor and get into a lunge position. Put your arms out in front of you and alternate each arm overhead slowly. To make this more difficult, try this exercise holding weights in both hands down at your side or walk very slowly on the line, trying to not look down.ģ.) Tall Kneelin g: Put a pillow down on the floor and kneel down on it. Put one foot in front of the other and follow the line. To make it more difficult, change surfaces that you balance on, try barefoot or hold your arms up over your head.Ģ.) Balance Beam Walk: Find a line to follow, whether that is a crease in the rug or part of your floor. Repeat this exercise three times on each leg. These routines can be very challenging, so you may want to begin with #1 and #2, and progress to #3, #4 and #5.ġ.) Stork Standing: Balance on a single leg for 30 seconds and then switch legs. Incorporate these exercises into your daily routine to help prevent injuries related to balance issues. After all, simply walking or taking the stairs requires balance to do it effectively, and more importantly, safely. Incorporating balance exercises into your exercise routine is important because we encounter uneven surfaces in everyday life and having good balance can help prevent falls or injury.
While a lot of us make the time to go the gym and get in our strength training and cardio, we often neglect simple balance exercises. How much time do you devote to balance? The truth is probably not enough.