" Whether it is learning to walk or playing a piano, most of us need time to master new skills. But we retain the ability to learn right into old age."

The first steps

At about five months, the child is able to turn from her back to her stomach and at six months she tries to support her upper body with her arms. She also tries to co-ordinate her arms and leg movements. Normally babies start crawling at eight or nine months, and many are able to take heir first step by their first birthday. At that age, the child moves predominantly by crawling. Tirelessly, they practice their individual movement sequence.

When they take their first steps, they must co-ordinate their movements and at the same time keep their balance. Most of us probably no longer remember our first steps, but it cannot have been an easy task!

A simple movement such as standing upright may appear easy, but it actually consists of many individual steps. Over two dozen muscles must be activated and these are controlled by thousands of signals transmitted from the brain to the spinal cord and from their to the muscles. The position of the body must constantly be recorded and immediately adjusted.

Perfection means no hands

To accomplish this task, the organ of equilibrium (the inner ear), the cerebellum and the eye work closely together with the cerebral cortex - the portion of brain which controls motor functions. From there, orders are sent to the muscles, which need to be co-ordinated with what are often complex and encapsulated sequence of movement. What appears simple ans natural is in fact a masterful performance by our bodies. What's more, it takes place in less time than it takes the eye to blink.

When we watch the shaky attempts of an unskilled cyclist or the comically awkward movements of a novice skier, it is difficult to imagine how they could ever become skilled at their chosen pursuits. Nevertheless, they will soon be proficient in many new movements they need to keep their balance and safely steer thier course. As soon as they can ride or ski straight, they will learn to turn to the right and to the left, which requires the body to be tilted at a certain angle. Even braking is an added difficulty.

It is only when you have mastered all the tricks on the bicycle and have perfect balance that you can also ride with no hands. those who are particularly courageous may then climb on a unicycle and show an astonished audiance something about real body control.