RETRO WALKING

Retro Walking is nothing but walking backwards.  Yes walk backwards by looking over your shoulder.

The Backward Walking or Retro Walking is said to have originated from China where people have practiced it for good health.  Retro Walking became quite a rage in Japan and some parts of Europe as people took to this to build muscle and to improve their performance at sports.  When you walk backwards it puts less stress on the heals which leads to changes in the pelvic alignment.  This would inturn help to open up the facet joints in your spine, potentially alleviating pressure that may cause lower back pain in some people.  Walking backwards also puts less strain on the knee joints thus making it ideal for people who have chronic knee problems or knee injuries.

This has been proved medically to be a very good solution for those who have lower back pain and for those who have knee problems.  How easy or difficult it is to walk backwards something which can be answered only when you try that.  Research has proved that 100 steps Retro Walking is as good as 1000 steps of normal/conventional walking.

There are basically 10 benefits that you would get by doing Retro Walking:

1. The muscles of the front (tibialis anterior) and back (gastro/achilles) of the shin and ankle are strengthened, owing to the increased strain of performing an unfamiliar exercise.
2. Walking backward increases cardiovascular endurance significantly more than walking forward under the same conditions.
3. We expend more energy and burn more calories than those who work out at the same pace consistently for a longer duration. When engaging in a new activity which requires a greater effort, we exert ourselves more. The increased metabolism will result in weight loss for those who press on.
4. Studies have shown that using other muscle groups by performing different exercises protects our muscles and tendons from overuse. The knee joint and the patella joint (the joint where the kneecap glides on the knee), in particular, benefit from backward walking.
5. Adding a new activity to our regular exercise routine prevents boredom, so we are less likely to stop exercising.
6. For those over 50, improving our balance and coordination is even more important. Backward locomotion improves the functions of our cerebellum which coordinates and balances our bodily movements as well as flexibility.
7. Because we are on the constant lookout for danger and obstacles on our path, practically all of the five senses (and even the sixth) are sharpened.
8. Our reflexes are sharpened at the same time.
9. It can help prevent the development of a hunchback.
10. It promotes blood circulation and prevents lumbago.

I have decided to do RetroWalking as part of my daily walking routine and walk backwards atleast for about 500 meters a day, to start with.

Mr.Mani Manithan has been walking backwards for the last 25 years in his private protest against war and violence.  He lives in Tirupattur in Tamil Nadu, India and has been consciously walking backwards for the last 25 years.  He says he started walking backwards not to turn his back his back against violence but to attract attention of people and make them think of ways to bring about world peace.  He even maintained silence for nearly 17 years from 1989 to 2006 and during this period he refused to talk even one word.  

After 25 years of walking backwards, Mani has forgotton how to walk normally like everyone else.  He says he has become comfortable walking backwards and now it is almost impossible to walk forwards. Hats off to Mani Manithan for whatever he has been doing so far to create the awareness on world peace.

Whilst it is important to work towards World Peace, it is difficult to emulate what some of the people are doing to achieve it.  At best we can admire them and try to get inspired by them.

Regards,

T.P.Anand

Dubai, U.A.E.

22nd November 2014

DRINK WATER

I used to drink less water and suddenly it dawned on me that I have to drink more water.  I have been drinking more water in the last few years.  Over the last few months I have started the practice of having atleast 500 ml of water as soon as I wake up in the morning, even before I brush my teeth.

Drinking more and more water during the day is extremely important.  Most important of the reasons for drinking water, is the fact that it helps in manufacture of the hormones and neurotransmitters in our brain.

If we have to quench our thirst at any time during the day, Water can be the best option as it has Zero Calories and Sugar Free.  A full glass of water just before a meal will also mean your intake is atleast 75 calories less.  A 75 calorie deficit at lunch and dinner would mean that you lose about 6 kilos over a year.

The unwanted elements in the body needs to be drained out through Urine and that process is mainly facilitated by Water.  Water is also needed for the chemical reactions within our body.  It helps in moisturizing and softening of our skin.  Dry Skin, itching, etc. which are common problems in dry weather conditions can be alleviated if you can take lot of water during the day at regular intervals.  Water helps to lubricate the joints in our body and thus will also help to keep us fit and healthy.

It provides the requisite oxygen into our system.  Water has been prevalent right through the existence of the Universe and it is the most essential element for our existence.

I met a friend last month in India and he was telling me that now people are drinking "Vortex Water".   I did a little research on Vortex Water and found that it is structured water and making the water go through the spinning motion where the Vortex effect is formed to purify and bring the water to its original natural state.  There are small DIY kit that are available in the market to make the Vortex Water at home.

There are several parts of the world where people are struggling to get enough supply of Drinking Water.  We are living in an age when we need to pay for Drinking Water.  The price that we are paying is more for the pet bottle in which the water is being sold.  Over the next few years the price that we pay for water is bound to increase.  Irrespective of whether the price is increasing or not the intake of water for our normal existence will not diminish and hence the need to be aware of this crucial aspect of life.

Animals ensure that they get their regular intake of water.  Look at this smart cow who even knows how to pump the ground water by using the hand pump:



Unfortunately there is no substitute for Water.

Despite knowing all the benefits of drinking more and more water on a daily basis, we tend to ignore this aspect in our busy schedule.  This is just a reminder to all the readers on the importance of staying healthy and the need to have regular and frequent intake of water.  Remember it is minimum of 3 liters of water intake per day.  Drink plenty of water and stay healthy.

Regards,
T.P.Anand
Dubai, U.A.E.
1st November 2014