BEYOND THE TREADMILL 

Carole Carson

If you’re considering starting an exercise program but find the thought of a daily hour on a treadmill boring, you might want to expand your thinking.

Meditation, yoga and self-defense are combined in slow and gentle movements called tai chi. This ancient form of exercise is practiced by millions, particularly in China. Its benefits: strength, balance and increased vitality, along with physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Best of all, the exercise is suitable for persons of all ages, abilities and experience. Typically done in a group setting, the exercise emphasizes relaxation combined with slow, fluid movement. Injury isn’t likely because of its gentle nature.

You might also consider Pilates, which emphasizes core strength—the trunk of your body. Pilates exercises, initially popularized in the United States by dancers, has moved mainstream. Why Pilates? Athletes who haven’t built up core strength have slower reaction times and are more prone to injury, while office workers are apt to suffer back pain. Elderly individuals are more subject to falls.

For top athletic performance, the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants, along with tennis champ Pete Sampras, practice yoga. “If you’re into sports or weight training, yoga is only going to enhance all the other things you’re doing,” according to Baron Baptiste, peak performance specialist for the Eagles and author of Journey into Power, which promotes yoga. As with tai chi and Pilates, people of all ages and levels can participate and injury is unlikely.

Many gyms and exercise studios offer classes in Pilates and yoga. Videotapes are also available.

 

(Source: Morgan Halperin, T’ai Chi Ch’uan Internal Arts Center; Time, April 28, 2003, “Solid to the Core”; Cooking Light, January-February 2003; “Yoga—It’s a Guy Thing, Too”.)