Seven Slow Minutes
Before starting the 18 slow movements of Shibashi qigong (Chi-Kung) I do a few of these warming and loosening exercises. Those of us who are well into middle age need to keep flexible and maintain our balance. (By the way, you don’t need to wear pants that are three sizes too big.)
[If the video below is not working, you can see it here.]
Please be careful when starting these exercises. Find some flat ground, at least flatter than I have in the video. It is important not to overdo it. For example, the leg-swinging exercises require a fair amount of balance. Start by doing each exercise well within your capability. I don’t believe in no pain no gain. Gentle and easy is the way to go. There is no competition here and you can do a little as you feel you want to. But it is through time and regular practice that one feels the benefit.
The slower you do these exercises, the more demanding they can be. Go gently, go easy.
I used to go to a stretching class. We held positions for a long time, much like yoga. I found that at the beginning of the class, I couldn’t touch my toes. But, after an hour of stretching, I could do so easily.
They no longer have the class at the Y, but I do leg and head stretches whenever I make a cup of tea at work: my waiting-for-the-microwave exercise spot.
It does seem like the muscles take a while to elongate. Leslie, I think you are ahead of the curve with drinking cups of tea, and stretching at work.
I’ve noticed how range of movement improves, not with trying to push how far you can extend a stretch, but to simply relax into something comfortable and prolong the duration. Doesn’t this also seem like a metaphor for so many things in life?
Hi, I hope you could notify us again as soon as this problem with the video will be fixed. Looking forward watching it. Thanks
Shani,
You can also see the video here:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=IVSHd-X95Z0
Thank you so much, Christopher, for posting this video. I do 2 or 3 sets of the 7 min. exercises after an hour of brisk walking. These exercises are perfect to cool down with. You don’t have to be middle-aged or older to get good use out of this video.
D-Mc
Mesa, AZ