Stand on left leg with knee soft, stay tall. Line up with planted foot centered at #2 on board.
Action
1. With both hands on Stix drive hands forward while at the same time shift hips backward.
2. Release left hand, drive right hand across body while shifting hips backward.
3. Switch hands, drive left hand across body while shifting hips backward.
Stand with left foot off the ground extended in front of you, right knee soft, core engaged. Feet at #4, both hands at position 1. Pull Stix back so elbows are slightly bent at the start position.
Action
Using the Stix as a counterbalance, lower into a one legged (“pistol”) squat (left leg stays extended in front of body), pulling on the Stix; elbows can bend to about 45°. Keep spine neutral, weight on right heel. Only go as deep as is comfortable; return to the starting position.
Using the Stix as a balance aid, balance on one foot. Holding Stix at a comfortable level.
Action
While maintaining balance on one foot, only use the Stix for balance as necessary. Continue to press down with your foot into the board for additional gluteus medius recruitment.
(Progression: add marching or toe taps to the side or rear) As they progress and need less balance aid, progressively reduce Stix resistance, Heavy to X-Lite.
Standing facing left Stix, body turned 45°. With left hand only, grasp Stix at position 2. Left foot is on felt slider.
Action
Keeping left knee straight, extend left leg back toward the right rear corner of the board while bending right knee, externally rotating hips. Stix will pull back slightly. Do NOT use Stix to help pull back up. Driving through right leg, bring left leg back toward the starting position, sweeping the left foot across in front of the right, ending with hips in an internally rotated position, pressing Stix forward with left arm. Keep core engaged throughout.
External to Internal Leg Sweep with Press (with Slider)
Stand on right leg, do not lean body to the side. Starting with the right hip slightly internally rotated, body turned to the right but knee stays straight ahead.
Action
Rotate body to the left, externally rotating from the right hip. Patient may appear to get taller through the execution of the exercise. “Feel as though you are being unscrewed from a piece of wood” Squeeze the right glute and press the Stix forward with the right hand. The Stix can help maintain balance a bit, while pressing it gives the external rotators of the right hip some resistance. (Progression: add a pull as well, then a push/pull.)
Stand on right leg only, facing the Stix. Grab left Stix at position 2.
Action
Left Arm: Keeping the left arm straight, bring Stix away from body. Be sure to stay tall on right leg. (Activating Glute Med.) Right Arm: Keeping right arm straight, pull Stix toward the midline of board. Be sure to stay tall on right leg.
Stand on #5, pick both Stix up, hands on position 1. With right foot off the ground extended in front of you, left knee soft, core engaged.
Action
Lower into a one legged (“pistol”) squat (right leg stays extended in front of body), Keep spine neutral, weight on left heel. Only go as deep as is comfortable; return to the starting position.
With feet parallel, knees soft, core engaged. Right hand grab at position 2 of right Stix.
Action
Keeping core engaged and spine stable turn your body to the right 90° and take a small step to the right externally rotating your hip. Right hand rows with the body and hand stays in front of the sternum. Hold for 1-2 seconds and return, rowing the handle in toward the chest. Make sure to keep spine stable; there should be no rotation between pubic bone and sternum. Complete by returning to a standing position.
Knees bent, back rounded; allow the hips to sink back slightly rolling the ball away from the Arcs. Allow chest to relax toward/on thighs. Hold 15-30 seconds.
Standing erect right side facing the Arcs on the end of the board, hands at position 1. Right foot should be on the board and left foot off. Stix held close in front of the body.
Action
Step up onto the board using the right leg only. At the top of the movement, balance on the right leg, using the Stix for resistance as well as assistance. At the top of the movement add left leg abduction or extension to progress.