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It's time to spring into action
By Tan Weiyun |
March 9, 2011, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
WITH spring here, it is the perfect time to shake off those winter blues and get yourself back in good shape.
Performing proper exercises in spring can restore yang (hot) energy lost during the chilly winter and offer yin jin, or body fluid, that will replenish the organs in the coming hot summer.
Experts recommend light and easy exercises to get you started, as rushing into high-impact activities could cause painful injuries.
Stretching first thing in the morning is a great exercise that is effective and easy to do. After a night's sleep, the body can feel sluggish with blood flowing slowly.
To stretch your arms, waist and legs while taking deep breaths, according to traditional Chinese medicine, can invigorate blood circulation and promote qi (energy) flow.
In addition, stretching can refresh the mind and counter fatigue.
Since spring is the season of blossoms, warm sunshine and green trees, outdoor pursuits are ideal. Even simply taking a stroll in the park or the countryside while enjoying the spring scenery can be a beneficial and relaxing recreation.
Experts say that young and middle-aged people walking at about 120 paces every minute, and old people at 60 to 70 paces per minute, can be effective in stimulating the digestive system and balance mood.
While strolling, a walker can pat their shoulders or waist lightly, rub hands and knead the stomach gently to invigorate qi and strengthen blood circulation.
Remember not to work too hard. You can stop when you feel a light sweat developing.
For those who want to lose weight, pace a little bit faster and walk at this speed for at least 40 minutes so the fat begins to burn.
Walking is an ideal exercise for weight-loss beginners because jogging can cause knee damage.
Fun exercise
After sunrise and before sunset are the best time of a day to take a casual walk. Around lakes, parks, greenbelt areas and countryside paths are all good places because they offer fresh air with a high content of negative oxygen ions. Wear cozy and loose clothing, as well as soft-soled shoes.
Kite flying is another fun exercise to do in early spring. Watching a kite fly high in the sky with awarm spring breeze can be very relaxing.
When flying a kite, a person needs to move their legs flexibly, control the kite lines with their hands and focus their vision a long distance, which can greatly dispel fatigue of the eye muscles.
It's especially good for teenagers as kite flying can develop coordination between the brain and limbs.
Old people should pay attention to the neck when flying a kite. Leaning back for too long may hurt the back muscles and the neck.
Remember to choose an open space with flat ground when flying a kite and avoid places near a lake or with high-voltage overhead cables.
Cycling is also highly recommended in spring as it exercises muscles effectively.
When a cyclist clinches the handlebars and pedals, acupuncture points on the hands and feet are massaged. It also promotes blood circulation in the legs and strengthens the capillary system.
It is advised that cycling be maintained for 45 to 60 minutes, alternating between quick and slow pedaling.
Golf is a gentle sport which can exercise muscles throughout the body, but especially in the waist, shoulders and legs. It can also enhance flexibility and improve posture.
Playing golf requires endurance as there is a reasonable amount of walking involved, which can promote cardiac function without too much stress.
For women, outdoor yoga on a warm afternoon is a good way to relax.
The meditation can help attain mental peace and improve concentration, while yoga's various poses can help prevent diverse ailments such as diabetes, blood pressure, digestive disorders, fatigue, asthma and heart conditions.
According to TCM, yoga can even dispel inner heat and balance the energy flow in the body.
Performing proper exercises in spring can restore yang (hot) energy lost during the chilly winter and offer yin jin, or body fluid, that will replenish the organs in the coming hot summer.
Experts recommend light and easy exercises to get you started, as rushing into high-impact activities could cause painful injuries.
Stretching first thing in the morning is a great exercise that is effective and easy to do. After a night's sleep, the body can feel sluggish with blood flowing slowly.
To stretch your arms, waist and legs while taking deep breaths, according to traditional Chinese medicine, can invigorate blood circulation and promote qi (energy) flow.
In addition, stretching can refresh the mind and counter fatigue.
Since spring is the season of blossoms, warm sunshine and green trees, outdoor pursuits are ideal. Even simply taking a stroll in the park or the countryside while enjoying the spring scenery can be a beneficial and relaxing recreation.
Experts say that young and middle-aged people walking at about 120 paces every minute, and old people at 60 to 70 paces per minute, can be effective in stimulating the digestive system and balance mood.
While strolling, a walker can pat their shoulders or waist lightly, rub hands and knead the stomach gently to invigorate qi and strengthen blood circulation.
Remember not to work too hard. You can stop when you feel a light sweat developing.
For those who want to lose weight, pace a little bit faster and walk at this speed for at least 40 minutes so the fat begins to burn.
Walking is an ideal exercise for weight-loss beginners because jogging can cause knee damage.
Fun exercise
After sunrise and before sunset are the best time of a day to take a casual walk. Around lakes, parks, greenbelt areas and countryside paths are all good places because they offer fresh air with a high content of negative oxygen ions. Wear cozy and loose clothing, as well as soft-soled shoes.
Kite flying is another fun exercise to do in early spring. Watching a kite fly high in the sky with awarm spring breeze can be very relaxing.
When flying a kite, a person needs to move their legs flexibly, control the kite lines with their hands and focus their vision a long distance, which can greatly dispel fatigue of the eye muscles.
It's especially good for teenagers as kite flying can develop coordination between the brain and limbs.
Old people should pay attention to the neck when flying a kite. Leaning back for too long may hurt the back muscles and the neck.
Remember to choose an open space with flat ground when flying a kite and avoid places near a lake or with high-voltage overhead cables.
Cycling is also highly recommended in spring as it exercises muscles effectively.
When a cyclist clinches the handlebars and pedals, acupuncture points on the hands and feet are massaged. It also promotes blood circulation in the legs and strengthens the capillary system.
It is advised that cycling be maintained for 45 to 60 minutes, alternating between quick and slow pedaling.
Golf is a gentle sport which can exercise muscles throughout the body, but especially in the waist, shoulders and legs. It can also enhance flexibility and improve posture.
Playing golf requires endurance as there is a reasonable amount of walking involved, which can promote cardiac function without too much stress.
For women, outdoor yoga on a warm afternoon is a good way to relax.
The meditation can help attain mental peace and improve concentration, while yoga's various poses can help prevent diverse ailments such as diabetes, blood pressure, digestive disorders, fatigue, asthma and heart conditions.
According to TCM, yoga can even dispel inner heat and balance the energy flow in the body.
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