What is “Japanese gymnastics”?
Japanese gymnastics is considered one of the most effective in the treatment of diseases of the spine; moreover, it helps to lose extra pounds and improve overall well-being. In essence, it is a combination of the three most famous techniques: Tabata, Fukutsuji and Imabari.
All Japanese gymnastics exercises seem quite simple at first glance, but their implementation requires special technique. It consists of three main postulates:
- the ability to listen to your body;
- concentration on one’s own feelings;
- muscle tension (so that vibrations and trembling are present).
Thanks to these components, it is possible to achieve the greatest effectiveness from training.
Important ! Proper breathing plays an important role in Japanese gymnastics. You need to take deep breaths, sometimes slowing down your breathing a little. Compliance with the Japanese diet is also integral, because it is important that the soul and body are harmoniously interconnected.
Which products are allowed and which are prohibited?
To create the correct menu, you need to study the table of permitted and prohibited products.
Name | Allowed | Forbidden |
Meat | Beef and chicken | Pork, sausages |
Fish | Cod, navaga, carp, etc. | Sturgeon varieties, beluga, ivashi, etc. |
Milk products | Low-fat and unsalted cheese, yogurt, kefir | Fat milk and cottage cheese |
Vegetables and fruits | Tomatoes, cabbage, eggplants, cucumbers, carrots, zucchini; Apples, citruses, pears | Starchy vegetables and high sugar fruits |
Beverages | Green tea, coffee, unsweetened juices | Alcoholic and carbonated drinks, packaged juices |
During the diet, you cannot consume sauces, any marinades, canned foods, semi-finished products, pickles, and smoked meats.
What methods exist and what do they involve?
It was previously said that Japanese gymnastics is based on three techniques. Below they will be discussed in more detail.
Imabari
Japanese gymnastics for weight loss with a roller is called Imabari. All exercises in this technique resemble exercises with an expander. Here are some examples:
- The towel must be stretched at chest level - this helps strengthen the muscles of the chest and arms.
- Pull it over your head and bend to the sides to work your waist.
- In a lying position, a towel is thrown over the feet, after which the legs begin to straighten. Exercise helps strengthen the abs and thigh muscles.
This technique is perfect as morning exercises.
Attention ! It is unlikely that you will be able to get the desired figure with the help of Imabari exercises without following a diet and other physical activity.
Fukutsuji
This technique was named after the Japanese doctor. He noted that as a person grows older, his pelvic bones and ribs diverge, become deformed, and change their location. All this ultimately leads to an expansion of the waist, displacement of internal organs and deterioration of posture. The use of the Fukutsuji method allows you to return the bones to their original place and improve the external contours of the figure.
When performing the exercise systematically, the following is noted:
- reduction in waist size;
- improvement of posture and spinal condition;
- increase in height;
- Visual breast enlargement is also possible.
The method of losing weight with a towel is available to everyone, since it does not require any special equipment. You can perform the exercise at home at any convenient time.
Performing the exercise requires compliance with the following sequence of actions:
- First you need to lie on the floor.
- Place a towel roll under your back in the area of your shoulder blades, lower back or neck. It must be twisted evenly in thickness and so that it is elastic.
- The legs should be slightly spread, with the big toes touching each other, and the heels should be as far apart as possible.
- The arms are raised and pulled back, placed on the floor, palms down, with the little fingers touching.
You should remain in this position for 5 minutes, then you can relax and lie on your side. The first results from the exercise can be noted after 15-20 days. It is recommended to perform them regularly for at least six months.
Attention ! The technique will not allow you to lose significant weight, for example, 20-30 kilograms. But it will be an excellent solution if you want to tighten your figure, improve your posture, and emphasize your waistline.
Tabata
This technique suggests performing various exercises, for example, sit-ups, squats, push-ups, pull-ups. Moreover, they only take 4 minutes to complete. The essence of the method is as follows:
- all exercises are performed as quickly as possible in 8 approaches;
- the break between approaches should not exceed 10 seconds;
- At least 20 seconds are allotted for each exercise.
Such training should be carried out at least 3-4 times a week.
Attention ! It is not recommended to perform Tabata exercises for people with pathologies of the cardiovascular system and those who are physically unprepared.
Japanese breathing exercises for weight loss also deserve special attention. It is based on performing special breathing exercises that promote better oxygen saturation of the blood, which, in turn, leads to the activation of metabolic processes. As a result of this, weight loss occurs. The main condition is to perform breathing movements with the stomach, but not with the chest.
How to get out of a diet correctly
The exit should be smooth, so the portions are increased gradually.
Salty and sweet dishes are not immediately included in the menu. The process of breaking down excess fat deposits and cleansing the body continues after the diet, but provided that the person adheres to the principles of a healthy and moderate diet.
It is recommended to divide the daily diet into 5-6 meals and follow the “plate model”:
- Half the plate is filled with vegetables seasoned with lemon juice. It is not recommended to add vegetable oil or fatty sauce.
- The side dish is placed on ½ of the second half. It can be boiled buckwheat, noodles, rice or potatoes. You can replace the side dish with a piece of whole grain bread.
- A piece of lean meat or fish, shellfish, eggs or mushrooms is placed next to the side dish.
Reviews
There are various reviews about the Japanese method of using a weight loss roller. There are those who really note a positive result, a reduction in their waist by several centimeters. Others failed to achieve the desired effect, but observed an improvement in posture and back condition. There are rarely reviews about the complete absence of positive effects of this technique.
Contraindications
Asian medicine (not just gymnastics to help the stomach) differs greatly in specificity from European medicine and requires an individual approach to the patient. This also applies to exercises with a towel: firstly, it has several contraindications:
- intervertebral hernia;
- back injuries;
- acute forms of any chronic diseases.
Russian doctors focus the attention of patients who want to remove a saggy belly using this method, on the fact that it is better to carry out gymnastics under the supervision of a specialist, because it affects the position of bones and joints that are forced to move. If you take the wrong position or make a sudden movement, you can harm your body.
Breathing during exercise
Fix the pose and, relaxing, begin to breathe. Proper breathing helps a lot, as when inhaling it is directed from the pelvis to the crown, stimulating the stretching of the skeleton.
Filling the lower abdomen completely first, we reach the collarbone. And as you exhale, you will feel your posture stretching along the front surface. After you exhale, a slight tightening of the pelvic floor occurs. That is, at this moment the stomach automatically retracts, and the spine is well extended from the pelvic bones. You will feel how your skeleton stretches with every inhalation and exhalation. At the same time, the muscles become soft, elastic, and even the joints begin to give in. At this time, the head and back of the body should be pressed against the surface on which you are lying.
The main task for five minutes is to lower your chin down and do ten breathing cycles. Fill your chest with air, then your stomach, collarbone, and, imagining how you bring it to the top of your head, exhale. At the same time, try to keep your elbows straight. If it becomes difficult, move your elbows out to the sides a little. Know that the posture of the upper back depends on their location. Thanks to this simple procedure, the shoulder blades and shoulders are aligned and pressed against the mat.
Conclusion
The choice of weight loss method is up to each of us. But those who dream of losing weight quickly should not be afraid of difficulties. It's hard to go hungry on any diet. It is important to be persistent, set a goal and take your figure seriously. Only in this way can positive results be achieved.
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Shopping list for the Japanese diet for 14 days
- First-class coffee beans or ground - 1 pack
- Green tea of your favorite variety (without additives or flavorings) - 1 pack
- Fresh chicken eggs - 2 dozen
- Sea fish fillet – 2 kg
- Lean beef, pulp - 1 kg
- Chicken fillet – 1 kg
- Extra virgin olive oil – 500 ml
- White cabbage - 2 medium sized forks
- Fresh carrots - 2-3 kg
- Zucchini, eggplant - 1 kg in total
- Fruits (except bananas and grapes) - 1 kg in total
- Tomato juice - 1 l
- Kefir - 1 liter (buy fresh, don’t store for future use!)
- Selected lemons - 2 pcs.
Operating principle
Most of us work in sedentary jobs and don't move enough. This provokes postural disorders. For a long time, the spine is in a bent state, which is unnatural for it, and the shoulders are hunched. This significantly increases the load on the lower back, and the diaphragm constantly puts pressure on the lower spinal region. All this leads to the fact that the abdominal organs are compressed, occupy an incorrect position and seem to bulge. Hence the fact that the problem of a bulging belly worries not only overweight people, but also generally quite slender people. A person can lose weight as much as he wants, pump up his abs, but his stomach still doesn’t go away.
Exercises with a towel for the abdomen allow the organs to return to their normal position and begin to work in a balanced manner. The method improves the functionality of the entire body, helps improve metabolic processes, thus having a beneficial effect on reducing the volume of the abdomen and waist.
Menu options
Regardless of the choice of menu options, drink water 30 minutes before meals. The stomach will be full and the person will not be able to eat much. Those in perfect health can sit on water only. The maximum period of such fasting should not exceed 3 days.
Classical
It is maintained for 3 days. The essence of the diet is to use only water. They drink it in unlimited quantities as soon as hunger appears. This is a strict type of diet that is not suitable for everyone. Drinking too much can increase acidity in the stomach and lead to intoxication, since active cleansing of the gastrointestinal tract will not occur.
Important: The diet can only be carried out with the permission of a doctor.
With bread
This diet is designed for 3 days. Meals are the same for all three days:
- In the morning, drink 200 g of water.
- The second breakfast consists of 100 g of rye bread, a peach and a glass of water (252 kcal).
- For lunch, eat rye bread with 50 g of cottage cheese and drink a glass of water (254 kcal).
- Have dinner with a glass of water, 2 apples and rye bread (258 kcal).
- 2 hours before bedtime, eat bread with 200 g of vegetable salad (282 kcal).