The real value of moderate exercise

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EXCERPTS ON EXERCISE FROM THE CAYCE READINGS

 

Q. State in detail what kind and amount of exercise the body should

take?

A. As much outdoor exercise as is possible, always, for the body. A

sufficient amount of mental exercise to keep an even keel or balance

with that of the physical body; for the body nominally is an active

body, mentally and physically, and in the manner as will make the

body physically tired; so may the body be made mentally tired. These

are the even keel for this body, particularly. Walking, riding, any

outdoor exercise good. (202-4)

 

The best way to acquire the correct amount of pep is to take the

exercise! (288-38)

 

It's well that each body, everybody, take exercise to counteract

the daily routine activity so as to produce rest. (416-1 )

 

Then, each morning and each evening.... Standing, erect, raise

the hands high above the head as possible, rising on the toes, then

slowly bending forward until the hands will almost or not quite touch

the floor. Do this slowly, but do it at least three, four, five, six

times, very slowly, stretching upward and forward and downward. (555-

8)

 

No better exercises may be taken than..... the cat-stretching

exercises, which includes, of course, being able-(put very coarsely)-

to do the split, be able to put the head on the feet, to put the feet

behind the head, to make the head and neck exercises and all of those

activities that may be said to be of the feline or cat exercise. To

be sure, in the present period, present development, present

conditions that exist, must be gone at gently; but be persistent

morning and evening, working at it, still not letting it become rote,

but purposeful. (681-2)

 

Of morning, and upon arising especially (and don't sleep too

late) - and before dressing so that the clothing is loose or the

fewer the better-stand erect before an open window, breathe deeply,

gradually raising hands ABOVE the head, and then with the circular

motion of the body from the hips bend forward; breathing IN (and

through the nostrils) as the body rises on its toes-breathing very

deep; EXHALING SUDDENLY through the MOUTH, not through the nasal

passages. Take these [exercises] for 5 to 6 minutes. Then as these

progress, gradually CLOSE one of the nostrils (even if it's necessary

to use the hand-but if it is closed with the left hand, raise the

right hand; and when closing the right nostril with the right hand,

then raise the left hand) AS the breathing IN is accomplished.

 

Then of an evening, just before retiring-[with the body prone,

facing the floor and] with the feet braced against the wall, circle

the torso by resting on the hands. Raise and lower the body not

merely by the hands but more from the torso, and with more of a

circular motion of the pelvic organs to strengthen the muscular

forces of the abdomen. Not such an activity as to cause strain, but

a gentle circular motion to the right two or three times, and then to

the left. (1523-2)

 

Exercise in the open air, - as walking, as just sitting in

same, - is necessary. Walking and swimming are the best exercises.

(2164-1)

 

Then in the morning before dressing, exercise the upper portion

of the body; [by swinging] the arms up and down, straight up,

straight down; then the turning motion as of swinging the arms

around, for the movement..... from the diaphragm upward . . . from

the ninth dorsal upward-these exercises will take away the heaviness

and the tendency'to get tired easily.... let the exercise preferably

be for the lower limbs [in the evening]..... a movement as of sitting

on the floor and walking across or swinging the limbs one in front of

the other for 3 to 4 movements. (2454-2)

 

Take this regularly, not taking it sometimes and leaving off

sometimes, but each morning and each evening take this exercise

regularly for 6 months and we will see a great deal of difference:

sitting erect, bend the head forward three times, to the back three

times, to the right side three times, to the left side three times,

and then circle the head each way three times. Don't hurry through

with it but take the time to do it. We will get results. (3549-1 )

 

Then, to give the body normal forces, and to bring the normal

effect in body, little of medicinal properties would be effective.

Better that climatic conditions; pure water [carrying lithia], high

altitude. These with food values, exercise of the physical body,

that the forces may be brought to exertion in the system, that the

body may become physically tired, without strain to the system.

Taking at such times exercises as would be given to the body by deep

manipulations to awaken the excretory system and the secretive system

through the liver proper. (3762-1)