The Origin of the SlimBody4Life Method
The Ancients understood the need to breathe and the power of oxygen. Western civilization is only now beginning to cultivate these ancient Eastern practices and apply them to modern health and fitness.
Ancient civilizations have known for thousands of years - that all of the ingredients of life, oxygen is the most important and to optimise access to this quintessential ingredient we must learn to breathe effectively. From the macro picture of all life on earth to the micro-picture of our cells, oxygen is the one constant. It permeates all, and sustains the entire cycle of life.
Ancient civilizations witnessed these cycles of nature and based on thier observations formed their own explanations and reactions to the world. Experimenting with these cycles upon themselves, they became better equipped to interact with the world and people around them. By controlling their breath they were better able to empower and energise their bodies. It is from these observations that some of the more familiar Eastern practices such as Yoga and Qi Gong evolved.
On the fertile plains of India yoga evolved. The breath was seen as the bridge between body and soul. The practice of yoga breathing, or breath control came to be known as prana yama. The word Prana means life force or energy and Yama means control. By conscious control of the breath, it was determined you could cultivate energy within the body and bring about beneficial changes in your body and bring about beneficial changes in your body and mind. The breath was used to enhance the qualities of the energy (prana) and the postures and the mind were used to direct the energy. All helping to energize and cleanse the body, and calm and relax the mind.
Over the himalayas in China a similar discovery was taking place. On the flood plains between the Yangtze and Yellow rivers Chinese shaman were developing techniques to empower their bodies with the breath. Like their counterparts in India, the Chinese realised that through breathing not only life was sustained, but it could be dramatically enhanced as well. By the use of both breathing and exercise, energy was able to be cultivated in the body increasing capacity of ones internal and external body.
Its no coincidence that even today the chinese character "Qi" means both energy and breath together. "Qi Gong" is working on the Qi. It can be defined as a way of using posture, breathing, visualization and meditation along with gentle movements to cleanse, gather and circulate the Qi, or life energy. It was (like prana-yama) viewed as the culvitation of energy within the body.
The tenants of these ancient disciplines and their recognition of the power of oxygen on our bodies and the importance of breathing effectively remain with us today as core components of the SlimBody4Life Method. The SlimBody4Life Method has evolved these Eastern practices to create a unique combination of breath and movement to fully energise and oxygenate our bodies for improved vitality and health.
By combining them with Western Fitness principles we have further developed the breathing movement to optimise our bodies fat burning potential through aerobic conditioning whilst at the same time helping to shape and tone.
If you would like to know more about improving your breathing, go to www.slimbody4life.net.
The SlimBody4Life Method teaches us to breathe more effectively and empowers our bodies to access the true power of oxygen, that quintessential element.
