EXERCISES FOR ALL SEASONS: Cloud Hands

Cloud Hands, front view - 04/21/08 (Spring)

"Cloud Hands" or "Wave Hands In Clouds" is one of the postures in Prof. Cheng Manching's 37 PostureTai Chi Chuan form
http://youtube.com/watch?v=USJPmCZ6Efc

"Cloud Hands" can be practiced as a complete self-contained deep breathing, chi circulating (chi kung), joint-moving exercise.

As the full weight of the body settles onto one leg, the muscles of the weight-bearing leg flex and tighten; the muscles of the weightless leg relax. When the full weight of the body shifts onto the opposite leg, those muscles tighten, and the muscles of the non-weight bearing leg relax. Each leg takes turns bearing the full weight of the body, flexing and relaxing. Repeat this action many times, combined with appropriate arm movements, and the whole body gets a great workout in a brief period of time.

This fundamental "Cloud Hands" movement serves as the basis of the entire 37 Posture "Shoulder-width Cloud Hands" Tai Chi form:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLyAsi69bn0
http://youtube.com/watch?v=a6kGiKqIxEk

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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'll be 57 at the end of this month, April 2008.

These daily exercises continue to help keep me healthy, flexible, and full of energy.

ChiGuy396

ChiGuy396@yahoo.com

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