| A stress condition brings about a contraction, a | | | | specific deep breathing exercises to raise the |
| limitation of our energy. By restricting our vital | | | | oxygen level in the body. |
| energy circulation, the amount of blood and | | | | As far as active exercises are concerned, almost |
| oxygen reaching the organs is reduced. And it is | | | | all exercise is good for our purpose, but as |
| well known these days that on a physiological | | | | mentioned before, psycho-physical exercises |
| level it is the lack of oxygen in the body that | | | | which work, as their name implies, on the mind, |
| favours the development of cancer. | | | | emotions and the body, can be geared to not |
| By reducing the level of energy circulation in the | | | | only bring oxygen to the whole body or even to |
| body one reduces one's lifespan. | | | | specific parts, but also, by using visualisation or |
| But Exercises have a lot to contribute to remedy | | | | affirmation to express our clear intention, can |
| the negative effects of stress on the body. | | | | influence the mind positively. This can be the case |
| Especially exercises that use conscious | | | | with Tai Chi, Chi Kung etc. |
| movements and conscious breathing (keeping our | | | | Actually, in Tai Chi, for example, each posture |
| attention on our inner perception of the body | | | | affects a particular organ system of the body. So |
| sensations). But, most importantly, because while | | | | it lends itself well to such mental processes. |
| doing active exercises, a larger amount of breath, | | | | Both active and passive exercises have their role |
| therefore oxygen, enters the body. | | | | to play. They work together in harmony to |
| While doing passive exercises such as conscious | | | | provide solutions to restore our health. |
| breathing and relaxation, an expansion of the | | | | Another short exercise that I find particularly |
| whole system happens which allows vital energy | | | | useful is Self Massage. By tapping very lightly |
| to flow to every part of the body. | | | | over the body's energy channels we can both |
| Active psycho-physical exercises, such as Chi | | | | revitalise and calm our system. I personally |
| Kung exercises, are used in China, to help cure | | | | practise Self Massage every morning after a few |
| cancer. Part of their action concentrates on | | | | stretches and before Tai Chi. |