Chinese exercises for elderly
Simple traditional Chinese exercises improve seniors’ health:
“Unlike some aerobic and weight-training routines, the seated class led by master Cheng-de Gu, takes principles from Chinese medicine and martial arts to focus on improving health inside the body by stimulating internal organs and blood flow.
“I find there are seniors too old. So hard to stand (for) exercise. So I designed an exercise for sit(ting) down. Sit down, to make their internal circulation. For me I call ‘wash the internal,’” says Master Cheng-de Gu.
Through small movements, massage, and some breathing exercises, the goal is to heat the body, or warm it up to get the circulation going. Staff at Dorot say what makes the technique special is that it can help with a whole host of health problems for seniors, ranging from arthritis and diabetes to improvements with memory and balance.
“Mr. Gu has been very creative in terms of really making these exercises so the seniors can learn them, do them and benefit from them,” says Director of Health & Nutrition Services Karen Fuller.
Gu’s students say while the moves are simple, they have quite an impact. 88-year old Victoria King has been attending Gu’s classes for more than a decade and credits the wellness program for keeping her healthy.
“It has helped my immune system. I haven’t had the flu for about six or seven years. I may get the sniffles now and then, but that’s about it,” says participant Victoria King.
The same goes for 91-year old Edna Fischman who has been one of Gu’s students for years.
“Mr. Gu is interested in the inside of our body, not the outside,” says Fischman. “He doesn’t care what you look like on the outside. He wants the inside of your body new and he understands the body, he knows the connection between the organs and it just works.”
These seniors say it’s an alternative approach they’ll continue to live by. “
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