Asahi Health

People performing Asahi in a park.

Asahi or Asahi Health is a Finnish health exercise regimen rooted in Eastern traditions but conceptualized with a Western scientific perspective. Deriving principles from T'ai chi ch'uan, qigong, yiquan, and yoga, Asahi is an all-inclusive exercise, suitable for individuals of all age groups and physical abilities.

Overview

Asahi can be undertaken in organized groups under instruction or as an individual daily routine for self-treatment. Its simple yet effective design makes it an ideal choice for quick exercise breaks during the day.

History

Asahi was introduced in Finland in 2004, conceptualized by renowned sports instructors and martial artists: Timo Klemola, Ilpo Jalamo, Keijo Mikkonen, and Yrjö Mähönen. Although they held traditional body development techniques such as karate, T'ai chi ch'uan, yiquan, and yoga in high esteem, they noticed a limited appeal of these techniques among the Finnish populace.

The intricacies and foundational concepts of qi and prana in traditional styles may seem elusive to the Western mind. Therefore, Asahi was envisioned to distill the essence of these techniques, simplifying their approach, integrating scientific validation, and ensuring accessibility for all, irrespective of their foundational knowledge or physical capability. A core objective of Asahi is to address and mitigate shoulder and back issues, stress-induced psychosomatic problems, and injuries resulting from falls.

Principles

At its core, Asahi is characterized by its gentle, rhythmic movements performed in tranquility, drawing parallels with the aesthetics of qigong. The foundational principles of Asahi include:

• Coordination of movement with breath.
• Maintenance of an upright body posture.
• Involving the entire body in the movements.
• Adhering to a slow-motion rhythm.
• Employing mental imagery for cognitive cultivation.
• Perceiving the exercise as a continuous, fluid experience.

While the Asahi movements are gentle, they are synchronized with the breathing rhythm, making the series easy to grasp. These movements also have functional applications, like picking up an object from the ground or enhancing balance by standing on a single foot. Despite the existence of advanced levels aimed at long-term practitioners, the learning curve remains modest.

Distribution and Recognition

Asahi has garnered substantial traction across numerous regions in Finland. Furthermore, Asahi Health Ltd has the distinction of being recognized and endorsed by the Federation of International Sports, Aerobics and Fitness as the premier Body Mind product, accentuating its global appeal.

See Also

• T'ai chi ch'uan
• Qigong
• Yoga

Further reading

• Ilpo Jalamo, Timo Klemola, Keijo Mikkonen, Yrjö Mähönen: "Asahi - terveysliikuntaa kaikille." Edita Publishing Oy, 2007. ISBN 978-951-37-5003-9, ISBN 951-37-5003-5

External links

• Asahi Health Homepage

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