"Repulse Monkey" raise each knee, left side view - 05/28/08 (Spring)
This is another simple, repetitive exercise which I like to do while watching TV, or while watching videos on my computer. Similar to my "Raise Each Leg V-feet" tai chi form
http://youtube.com/watch?v=x1-oAZU9_ys
http://youtube.com/watch?v=M8oQW2fITRY
this exercise involves raising the knee of each leg until the thigh is parallel to the ground.
It's a variation of "Repulse Monkey," one of the movements in Prof. Cheng Manching's 37 Posture Tai Chi form
http://youtube.com/watch?v=8P-ZCG1ysDo
http://youtube.com/watch?v=USJPmCZ6Efc
http://youtube.com/watch?v=sjV9bx9unxQ
only done standing in place, instead of stepping backwards.
I find that this action of lifting each leg until the thigh is parallel to the ground approximates the physiological effects of climbing stairs, namely:
- my heart beats faster the faster I raise each leg
- my breathing speeds up to circulate more oxygen throughout my body
- when the large muscles of the legs, and lower back (kua) are exercised, calories are burned
- I break into a sweat if I do this repetitive movement for several minutes, non-stop
Furthermore,
- good posture (an upright spine) is maintained throughout all the movements
- all the major joints are exercised and utilized ("Use them or lose them")
- deep abdominal breathing circulates chi smoothly throughout the entire body
- standing regularly on one leg promotes good balance. Balance is something that begins to fail as people get older, leading to accidental falls, fractured bones, frailty. Doing this exercise regularly helps maintain a keen sense of balance as one gets older. Practice this exercise with eyes closed, and an even more acute sense of internal balance is cultivated.
- Very little space is required - - just enough to place one foot ahead of the other.
The right and left versions of this variation of "Repulse Monkey" link nicely together into a repetitive combination that exercises both legs and both arms.
What more can one ask from a simple exercise?
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It's important to have a set of exercises that can be done EVERY DAY, regardless of weather. So there is no excuse NOT to exercise on a particular day!
Exercises that can be done indoors, or outdoors. Exercises that don't require any special clothing, equipment, or special setting.
One should have a set of core exercises which can be done indoors, and outdoors in all kinds of weather, during every season.
One doesn't need a lot of different types of exercises, just some one knows how to do very well, almost without thinking. Just keep doing them, over and over, as a regular habit, during every season, indoors and outdoors. Not just during good weather. During bad weather also. Helps acclimatize the body to all sorts of weather changes. Strengthens body's endurance, and ability to adapt to all types of external weather conditions.
Stale indoor air, full of carbon dioxide, can make one sleepy. It's important to "air out the body" regularly by exercising outdoors and breathing fresh air.
I always feel better, "more alive," after I exercise - - especially outdoors, in fresh air.
I began doing some of these exercises when I was a teenager. I've continued doing many of these deep-breathing, chi circulating (Chi Kung type) exercises, on a daily basis, for 40+ years now. I turned 57 at the end of April 2008.
These daily exercises continue to help keep me healthy, flexible, and full of energy.
ChiGuy396
ChiGuy396@yahoo.com
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6:11How to Repulse Monkey (2004)by wahwahwahwahwahwah5,296 views
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