Greek Philosophy on Exercise

Only exercise when you’re going somewhere!

 Zen philosophy offers a similar idea –

It is not necessary to walk unless you are going somewhere……..

Solon when asked to go to the Games to see an athlete who could swim like a fish, jump like a deer, run like a hare – he declines, saying it is not comely he thinks, that man should imitate animals, but if there was a man who could think like the Gods – he would travel to see him!

 There are differing opinions upon the importance, the type and the potential health benefits of deliberate physical exercise.

Those who are already engaged in physical labour and tasks demanding physical exertion are of course less concerned about conscious exercise as a self discipline. But for the majority in the western world of our time, exercising has become an extremely popular pastime.  We are bombarded with many contraptions, with exercise bikes and other machines for use in the home. To attend a gymnasium is essential in the trendy social and commercial worlds if you are concerned with your physical image and muscle tone.

In the midst of this, yoga classes quietly continue to offer a peaceful, gracious and stress free method of building muscle, stretching tendons and revitalizing one’s being through the application of breath control together with dynamic body movements and the use of controlled static postures or Asanas.

The two systems are very different.  Each has its value but the first is demanding and requires repeated effort and discipline that is twinned with a philosophy of ambition that aims to accomplish a goal.

The yogic approach is more passive, requiring a non-aggressive attitude of persuasion. This is in line with its unique philosophy and system designed to help an individual achieve self mastery of the body through a harmonious co-operation of mind and muscles.

Yogic exercise is based upon a limited number of traditional exercises – the prime one being the Sun Exercise or Salute to the Sun. This comprises a flowing of 12 successive movements to 12 static positions together with specific use of the breath.

All dynamic exercise is instructed to be balanced and rhythmic. Breath control is co-ordinated with each movement.

All exercises are performed with equal attention to the balanced polarization of right/left; up and down; standing/lying; upright/inverted so that the entire body is involved.

A brief relaxation is taken between exercises to become aware of how the body is feeling and responding after the exercise.

The most important factor that identifies the difference between the commonly known exercise programmes and the yogic approach is that the mind and consciousness is turned inward, not outward to outer display. The mind and consciousness is totally engaged with the practices which are not in any way competitive.

Last is the factor of the speed or rate of body movement. Yogic exercise is seen as more elementary if the movement is quicker and more advanced the more slowly the exercise is executed. In this it is similar to the philosophy of its cousin system, Tai Chi.

Skill in yogic techniques allows slow physical controls that are more difficult that dynamic movement. The system is designed to help also slow down the rapidity of the mind and assist consciousness to arrive at stillness.

We test the validity of this system by our own experience.
 

The aim is to increase movement and improve circulation to the breasts as a preventative means.

If you are suffering breast cancer check with your doctor before attempting these movements.

Limbering is the term that means applying a little gentle pressure and release in repetitive movements taking care not to strain. Once the movement of the muscles and joints becomes freer, more pressure can be applied, depending upon personal reaction.

Standing:  feet a little apart

Interlock the fingers of the hands the raise arms above the head, stretching and limbering the arms gently backward with the hands place palms upward if you find this is easy to do. By repeated limbering movements, push the hands still kept in the interlocked position, a little back and then forward, relaxing with the forward release. This is done repeatedly for say 10x stretches and then released. You will feel the stretch on underarm and breast area. This helps circulation to the breast tissue. Relax.

 Standing: feet a little apart

Interlock the fingers of the hands after taking both arms around behind your back and stretch by limbering movement pushing the arms slightly backwards and releasing in a series of movements.  This is usually found to be a very restricted movement so don’t push too hard.You will feel the stretch on underarm and breast area.

Standing with feet wide apart

Bend the Right knee and place your R hand on the R thigh for support.  Take the straight Left arm and swing in a circular fashion as far as is comfortable, first one way for 10 times and then circle in reverse. It is important to start gradually to test the freedom of movement to avoid any strain before increasing any speed of this exercise. Repeat on the other side, bending the Left thigh etc. It should be practised until you can swing the arm freely from the shoulder, in a windmill fashion, but with care and be sure to bend the leg to keep it out of the way!

Lying flat on the floor

Bend both arms to make vertical right angles from the floor and then in gentle repetitive movements limber the hands back to try to touch the floor while maintaining the right angled position. Work on this gradually until it becomes easy to get the hands to touch the floor and you will feel a stretch upon the chest and breast area.

These are basic exercises for prevention of breast problems and can be safely done at home. However even better results can be expected by complementing your exercise programme with other exercises under the supervision and direction of a teacher of Yoga.

Reminders:  There are many other health care matters involved if you wish to avoid breast cancer. Attention to a few simple changes may help you further, including natural health food diet, ceasing the use of suppressant anti-deodorants, being sure of a comfortable bra, and regular gentle self massage of underarms and breasts. Relaxation and meditation offer times of refreshment and revitalization.

Physical exercise hardly needs explanation as a discipline that makes demand upon conscious control of the body musculature through movement.

However, there are differing approaches to the style of movement preferred in various cultures and amongst different individuals.  This we observe in the western world in the numerous sports that prevail. Most are approached as competitive sports as we are challenged to greater effort through an ambition to better the next person. Those who are less assertive, and find competition unattractive, find alternatives that include the eastern exercise programmes of tai chi and in yoga.

Yoga, as a system of self culture, aims at self mastery without the challenges of competition. Each exponent focuses upon his or her own body, making new advances in self control by gentle command over the physical body by kindly persuasion and for a particular purpose, beyond the sheer muscular action.

The classic and mosot advanced example of this is in the Surya Namaskara or Sun Exercise sometimes called the Salute to the Sun. In this exercise of twelve movements (12 being the number directly related to the Sun) each offers a particular stimulation to physiological organs and processes. Further than health benefits to maintain youthful body or to aid rejuvenation, the series of movements help to psychically open out to expand one’s feelings of self confidence and vitality. The spiritual keynote is added by the repetitions of sacred mantra or in the case of Christians, the Lord’s Prayer.

However, as with most exercises, systems are developed by the individual teacher as there are few traditional exercises that are known or have been revived. The principles in Yoga, nevertheless are firm.

Any yogic exercise system is based upon ahimsa (non violence) and upon application of what is known in western exercise as the isometric principle that uses a person’s use of resistance to build muscle without external tools and aids. This is the preferred option although  others choose to follow western gym training, in addition.

In Hatha Yoga the approach to exercise follows the philosophy in recognition of the natural differences between the sexes and the different psychic energies that are released or stimulated by different movements. For example a tough, demanding exercise based upon muscle contraction and strength cannot help but generate male energies and feelings as a gentle rhythmic one will result in feelings of feminine softness and grace.

As exercise or movement is needed to build any body structure, the aim is particularly to build strength is particularly applied to male students and the exercises they practise. The desire for a lithe and graceful body influences the choice of more rhythmic movements of females. And there is a group of exercises that can be incorporated in all programmes to act as general balancing movements, ideal for both sexes.

Perhaps the most interesting factor in Yogic approach to exercise is the attitude towards the degree of difficulty. Here there is reversal of western ambition for speed. An exercise that is performed at some pace is considered to be the easiest. As the timing is slowed down it becomes more and more difficult until slow motion is judged as the most challenging in self control of the body, and the mind.

The Classical Yoga Exercise is called Surya Namaskara – better known to Western students as the ‘Sun Exercise’ or ‘Salute to the Sun’. This physical exercise is traditionally performed as a daily discipline in order to assist health by stimulating the major organs and glands of the body. It is usually executed as a continuous flow of twelve movements and, as with all yogic exercise, a slower pace is considered more complete approach, allowing better mental concentration.

The twelve positions each have an attendant thought focus upon the twelve universally accepted qualities of the Sun which when blended, offer a concept of perfection, or completeness. Although these are associated with inner recitation of the classical Sanskrit, it is modified appropriately in keeping with say Christians who may use the movements combined with the Lord’s Prayer just as other non-Hindus will apply their appropriate modifications.

Some who understand the astrological principles believe the twelve fold division of the Sun Salute may also be directed towards the zodiacal signs. This is recommended as a very satisfactory concept to use.

The following gives the Sanskrit and an indication of the meaning of each invocation or prayer best known to scholars of Sanskrit.

OM Mitraya Namaha                      Oh friend of all, I bow down to you

OM Ravaye Namaha                       Praised by all, I bow down to you

OM Suraya Namaha                        Guide of all, I bow down to you

OM Bhanave Namaha                     Bestower of Beauty, I bow down to you

OM Khagaya Namaha                     Stimulator of the senses, I salute you

OM Pushne Namaha                        Nourisher of life, I salute you

OM Hiranya Garbhaya Namaha     Promotor of Vitality, I salute you

OM Marichaya Namaha                  Destroyer of disease, I bow to you

OM Savitre Namaha                        Begetter of Life, I bow to you

OM Arkaya Namaha                        Inspirer of All, I salute you

OM Aditaya Namaha                        Inspirer of Love, I bow to you

OM Bhaskaraya Namaha              Oh Holy One, I surrender to you

………………….

By tradition all yoga teachers employ this as a physical exercise and teach it in their classes, to be repeated several times at each session.

It is used to represent a student’s personal choice of twelve values or virtues chosen as a focus for personal self culture or Sadhana.

In healing tradition in Indian ashrams it is used with patients in order to stimulate the flow of blood to the whole body and is directed to be continued until increased perspiration and other indications advise cessation. It is claimed that by many repeated cycles of Surya Namaskara all diseases can be cured.

A twelve-fold cycle is considered a fine health measure for western students.