WHAT’S TO BE DONE? PARTS TWO AND THREE
By Marguerite (Osler) van der Merwe
Hello all! This is the second of my contributions about how to recover our natural inheritance of strong, supple, balanced bodies and minds– written in response to brother Maeder Osler’s request for some gentle exercises to repair, maintain and refresh our (ageing) bodies and souls.
PART ONE set out the basic ways in which we move in our daily lives, and the pitfalls and resultant damage when we ‘miss the accuracy of the design step’.
PART TWO sets out easy and healthy ways to exercise, without modern gym-style exercises and machines.
These are specific activities or movement practices with wonderful outcomes. They work with everything in moderation – neither too much or too little, but exactly right for one’s body, age, workstyle, lifestyle and choice.
WHAT ABOUT EXERCISE AND EXERCISES? GYMS AND EXTREME EFFORT?
Who asks, and why?
NOT: mechanics, construction workers, military personnel, policemen, farm workers, house cleaners, mothers with small children.
ALSO NOT: musicians, dancers, gymnasts, martial arts exponents (T’ai Ch’I Chu’an, stick-fighters, etc), and sportsmen and women.
WHY NOT? Because they get enough constructive/good/healthy exercise every single day.
SO WHO’S IT FOR?: Those who lead relatively sedentary lives; those who need some physical exercise as relief or therapy (from boredom, stress and anxiety) or a form of escape; those who follow the current extreme fitness’, ‘must exercise’ fashion ….
WHY? Because without enough useful/constructive/good/healthy activity/exercise, their bodies have become weak/ distorted, acccompanied by pain and discomfort.
SO THESE ARE MY CHOICES
Here are my particular choices of ways of keeping and being fit, healthy, supple, strong and vivacious, whichi enables us to be ‘full of life, energy, and enthusiasm’. Let’s go for what suits each of us, and then push performance up intelligently, or change as life dictates.
What these build:
Suppleness – strength – resilience – balance – power – mindfulness (inclusion of mind, consciousness, senses, environmental quietness, spaciousness) – awareness – attentiveness – steadiness in mind, body and feelings – relaxedness – effortlessness –relationship with community – self-control. As we practise, value and enjoy, we EMBODY these qualities and attitudes. ….
The arts:
Making music (in all forms) – dancing in many forms: national, Folk, Irish, Scottish, Modern — all house & home ‘living activity’ including cooking, cleaning, sewing and gardening – ‘messing about in boats’, woodwork, handiwork … All of these activities are creative, and relaxing and develop lifelong skills. Body Mind Soul Spirit —
The art of walking:
Preferably in natural environments and along winding paths (not straight, hard roads). Learning to walk well, like a human animal: lithe, quiet, aware, purposeful, intentional. Poised self-carriage. Tall ‘n Free ‘n Easy. No stiff posture, military marching, stomping, slouching, stiff legs and stiff arms.
The art of Ta’i Ch’i Ch’uan and Qigong:
TA’I CH’I CH’UAN involves sequences/forms, and QIGONG involves separate movements. They promote the wonderful synchronisation of body – breath – heart – movement. Slow, easy, without effort. Mind and body control. Based on nature and the movements of air, water, fire, earth – on the attributes, benefits and qualities of animals, birds, plants, trees – relevant to the seasons, our human feelings/emotions and our senses – poised between earth and sky / heaven.
PART THREE: LAST WORDS
1
You’ve a brain in your head
and feet in your shoes
you can do
whatever you choose
2
Me, I’m still looking out for people around who are whistling – humming – singing to themselves –down the street or up the hill. Happy, and LOVING THEIR LIVES.
3
Gladness IS ALL
Kindness IS ALL
Family IS ALL – ancestral, current, friends, inspirers, animals, the land …
BE TALL — BE OPEN TO LIFE –BE PROUD TO BE YOURSELF
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