HIGHLINING AND SLACKLINING, MASTER YOUR BALANCE!

ORIGINS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SLACKLINE

The Slackline or Highline began to be practiced in the summer of 1983 when Adam and Jeff decided to install a cable approximately 17 meters long and 2887 feet high in the Yosemite natural park. Despite preparing everything, neither of them dared to cross the rope.

Months later, Scott Balcom and Chris Carpenter, managed to make the first crossing through a rope. In this case, they did it in Pasadena, California, and were able to cover a 30-foot stretch located at an altitude of 115 feet.

Since then, this sport began to attract the attention of many until it became the current sport and therefore we consider it important to also comment on the main characteristics of this sport.

In the slackline, the tape is the main tool and it is adjusted or has a width depending on the modality or the experience of the person who practices it. In this way, the tape should not be fully taut and can be elastic if necessary, to do the rope walking.

Due to the simplicity and versatility of this sport, it can be practiced in many different environments and although there are not many specialized sites in which to practice slackline, many people tend to practice it in parks using trees as the main element from where hold the slackline kit.

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HOW TO START PRACTICING THE SLACKLINE?

It is important to note that over the years, slackline, in addition to being a sport, has become a lifestyle for all those who practice it. In case you are thinking of starting in this sport, we leave you below a series of perfect tips for most beginners.

The first and one of the most important advice is that to practice the slackline or any of its modalities, it is necessary to work on balance and therefore, it is recommended to work your arms since you should have them raised and they will be your best tool to achieve the balance necessary. Also, it is necessary to emphasize that keeping your gaze straight ahead and fixed will help you achieve even more balance.

This sport requires a lot of core strength and a complete work of body and mind and it is for this reason that it is necessary to also work on breathing. This has to be slow, relaxed, and must be accompanied by the whole body.

Finally, it is important to emphasize that, as in many other sports, it will be necessary to practice continuously since only then can you improve, day by day.

BENEFITS OF THE SLACKLINE

Finally, we want to tell you about some of the most important benefits that you will get when practicing this type of sport.

Balance

As mentioned in the previous section, the slackline is a challenge for the body and mind, and due to the instability of the treadmill, what is known as the proprioceptive system is put to work. This is responsible for informing the body of the position of the muscles and body parts. In this way, developing balance and proprioception will allow you to be more agile and faster in whatever activity you do in your day-to-day life.

Stability

Another of the most important benefits that you will acquire when practicing this sport is the stability that you will achieve in the core and the legs. This will provide you with total body stability since the slackline forces you to put all parts of the body into action to maintain balance and the necessary strength.

Concentration

Finally, we want to comment on the concentration and the ability to control the body and the movements that you will obtain through the training of this sport.