Unless we have regularly practiced some form of exercise in our life or have inherited exceptionally good genes, we will feel weaker in the legs as we get older. That is part of growing older and as the Chinese say, ‘old age starts in the legs’.
Helping to prolong one’s life with exercise is the solution, as well as also looking after oneself in other ways,
such as maintain good nutrition, fresh air, good, nourishing relationships etc.
How come old age starts in the legs?
Considering that our main support is the ground, the earth, we learn that being connected to it is vital in fact.
We are constantly and without interruption being ‘fed’ energy from the earth – as well as from the heavens – thus we learn in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Again according to TCM, some of our organs, like the stomach and the spleen, have the quality of the earth in them and are classified as being of the earth element, just as some others, like the lungs, have the quality of the air and are classified as being of the air element, while the heart is of the fire element. Our body comes from the earth and the ancient Chinese were quick to see, through being close to nature, its relationship to the different elements of nature.
So, yes, it is very important to keep our connection to the earth, if only by developing the leg muscles, which, being intimately connected with every other area of muscle in the body, play an crucial part in keeping the whole body strong and well-balanced.
Many of us have taken for granted the fact that the earth supports us, but in older age are surprised or accept it as a ‘fait accompli’ if we lose our balance, as if it were a natural part of growing old.
So we end up spending time in wheelchairs or having to hold on to a walking frame to get about.
A few years ago I approached several retirement homes to offer an exercise program for seniors, and I was shocked to see this state of affairs.
Most of the people there were hardly able to lift their arms without any help! (Of course I am not including some of us who’ve been unfortunate, having had accidents and needing to resort to extra outside help).
I honestly think it’s time for everyone over 50 who hasn’t already started some form of exercise to begin and keep up with it as a regular practice.
Although maybe we might have to try several exercise programs for seniors until we find one that is:
· easy
· where we feel we make progress
· that makes us feel good, stronger, energised and relaxed at the end of a session
And may I suggest easy Tai Chi?!
I’d also like to mention that exercise helps us to be inspired and creative, but that will be the topic of another article!
To provide a means to generate well-being from within, Francoise Bonhoure, a qualified Seniors Exercise teacher (for Over and Under 50’s!), has created a comprehensive beginner exercise program.
By joining the membership for our ezine you’ll have access to free exercise videos and audios
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