I. Physical Exercise

A) Tai Chi Chuan: This is a special kind of exercise that does not emphasize using force, as do boxing and ball games. Instead, Tai Chi Chuan stresses not using force, and in fact, it is better if no force at all is exerted. At the same time, it also stresses slowness; the slower the Tai Chi movements are performed, the better. This form of exercise helps the various functions of the body to develop evenly. All the inner organs, including the heart, lungs, liver, stomach, and kidneys benefit from this practice. It takes twenty-five minutes to finish one set of Tai Chi Chuan exercises. After the exercises, respiration and pulse rates remain normal. Even after two or three repetitions, Tai Chi practitioners still look totally at ease. Therefore, Tai Chi Chuan absolutely does not affect heart rate and breathing. While achieving the goal of exercising the body, it also benefits health and longevity.

B) Swimming: The oxygenating exercise in water is especially suitable for overweight people, the elderly, and for people who suffer from arthritis. It is a very safe activity for old and young alike. In water, we experience resistance, buoyancy and pressure. People who cannot swim may do aerobic exercises in the water to burn calories and produce a better physique. Besides, swimming also helps to strengthen the cardiopulmonary functions, rectify body posture, and prevent or treat pain in the shoulders and the lumbar region of the back. Swimming is also good for unwinding, while the buoyancy of water can minimize pressure on the joints. As one practices in the water, one gets used to it and does not fear it anymore. After some time, one can learn how to swim. I learned how to swim at the age of seventy-two.

C) Walking: This less vigorous exercise has become the most common "national exercise" in many countries. There is no worry about having any after-effects from walking, yet it yields results as good as those of other exercises. The proper way to walk is to let the soles of the feet touch the ground first and to maintain a certain rhythm. If you want to increase your walking speed, increase the frequency and not the length of your steps. Bigger steps may hurt your knees. Walking offers both biological and psychological benefits. For instance, it helps us to unwind, resist depression, become keener observers of our surroundings, lose weight, increase the good cholesterol in the blood, minimize the risk of fractures (in people with osteoporosis), lower high blood pressure, reduce the risk of complications from diabetes, and improve the flexibility of arthritic joints.

II. Diet

A) With a properly controlled diet, one attains longevity: An ancient formula for longevity advises: "Don't eat to fullness; walk don't run; and, don't get angry." The opinions of experts on this subject are as follows: People in middle age are in a more stable stage of life, while people in old age have entered the deterioration stage. Since people in old age engage in less activity and suffer from physical depletion, they should reduce their intake of food accordingly. Otherwise, it is very easy for them to become overweight, which is a great enemy to the health of the elderly. Since all bodily functions and organs are declining, if the amount of food consumed is not controlled, the digestive system will become overburdened, thus increasing the risk of gastrointestinal diseases. In conclusion, our diet, just like the way we behave in daily life, should be kept on the "middle way". The quantity and quality should be just enough for the living necessities of the elderly; either too much or too little is inappropriate. One who is good at maintaining health will not eat too much, or keep himself too warm in winter or too cool in summer.

B) Take time to chew and swallow food: Human saliva has the function of eliminating substances that cause cancer. When we take our meals, it is better to chew each mouthful of food more than thirty times, because the various enzymes in saliva, when mixed with food, have a strong influence in reducing or eliminating the substances that can cause cancer. Therefore, in ancient times, the importance of slowly chewing and swallowing food was emphasized.

C) Drinking a large quantity of water is good for one's health: Urination is beneficial to health, and drinking more water increases the amount of urine produced by the kidneys. The way we intake water is also a kind of habit. If we seldom drink water in daily life, we have to drink a lot at one time, and of course this is very uncomfortable. However, water is an absolute must for good bodily health. If there is insufficient water absorption in the colon, constipation will occur. Inadequate water intake will make the urine cloudy, which is hard on the urinary system. Water has the ability to dilute the toxins in the body that are to be excreted and is also helpful in digestion. As a result, the three ways of toxin excretion, bowel movements, urine and sweat, become smoother, and consequently, the health of the elderly person will improve.

Copyright © The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association
All Rights Reserved.