Balancing on the Birsköpfli

You can get a bit out of practice during a six-week break. That’s why, after the summer holidays, a group of keen men and women met up again at the Birsköpfli for a free exercise session with Juan Claver and Monika Röthlisberger from Pro Senectute in both Basel cantons.

Every Wednesday morning – except during the Basel school holidays – there’s a buzz of activity at the Birsköpfli. This is down to Juan Claver and Monika Röthlisberger, who lead a colourful, mixed group through exercise and balance activities. The seniors – both young and young at heart – who stretch, flex and compete in balancing challenges with great enthusiasm clearly enjoy the training.

Among the group, I spot Lucio, an old acquaintance. The retired crane operator has been coming to the exercise group since it started and takes part in the exercises with great concentration. He thinks the free sessions are brilliant. The Wednesday exercise sessions have now become a fixed fixture in his diary, which is otherwise packed with all sorts of interesting activities. I learn this during the short walk as we move from the meadow to the wooden fence. The former construction worker volunteers for a climate change project run by the University of Basel and regularly puts his knowledge as a crane operator to use in the forest experiment in Hölstein.

Balance

exercises After a short walk, Monika Röthlisberger and Juan Claver show the group how to keep fit and improve their balance with simple exercises using the wooden fence. This training is well worth doing to help prevent falls. After all, it’s not just a case of ‘a rolling stone gathers no moss’. Anyone who sits too much and doesn’t move enough – especially as they get older – not only loses their mobility but, above all, rapidly loses muscle strength. This puts them at greater risk of falling more often and sustaining serious injuries.