The Zen Body: A Gentle Gym Accessible To All
You made the good resolution to start working out again this fall? What if you tried Body Zen? This gentle but toning gym allows you to gain flexibility and strength. We suggest you discover what this widely accessible discipline consists of.
A concentrate of soft gymnastics
A discipline created by the French Federation of Physical Education and Voluntary Gymnastics in 2014, Body Zen is inspired by calisthenics and other gentle gyms like Pilates and Feldenkrais.
This gym borrows movements from no less than 6 different methods including dance gym, Pilates, yoga, Feldenkrais, qi gong and deep relaxation!
Enough to compose tailor-made classes to soften the body and soothe the mind...
A widely accessible discipline
If you are intimidated by such a cocktail of different gymnastics, you should know that it is not necessary to already practice one or the other of these disciplines to be initiated to Body Zen!
This gentle gymnastics is meant to be accessible to as many people as possible, even beginners. There is no age limit to learn this gentle gym and no performance objective.
Even if the intensity of the exercises increases during the class, the sequences are easy to perform by following the teacher's instructions. This is why it is recommended to sign up for a class at the beginning, to learn routines that you can then reproduce at home.
In body zen, the exercises are practiced in a slow and fluid manner and, in case of motor difficulties, it is even possible to perform them with a support or on a chair. In addition, you should never force yourself and stop the exercise immediately if pain occurs.
A host of benefits
Just like the various disciplines from which it is inspired, Body Zen gymnastics has many benefits. Thanks to sequences performed to music, this discipline allows you to mobilize the body gently and consciously.
As in yoga or qi gong, one of the objectives of this practice is to become aware of one's body and mind. The benefits of this discipline are as much physical as mental.
On the physical level, the exercises allow you to:
- gain flexibility
- correct bad postures
- build muscle gently by targeting deep muscles first
- prevent back pain
- work on your balance
- improve coordination
In addition, this practice allows to :
- release tension
- experience physical and mental relaxation
- fight against stress and anxiety
- improve the quality of sleep
Easy to follow courses
Just like a yoga session, for example, a Body Zen class is an appointment with yourself. Each session lasts between 45 minutes and 1 hour and allows you to reconnect with your body through breathing exercises combined with fluid sequences.
The exercises are practiced barefoot and preferably with loose, comfortable clothing. After some qi gong inspired warm-up exercises you will move into yoga postures and sequences of increasing intensity.
Each session ends with a moment of relaxation that allows you to leave the class feeling relaxed and calm.
To note: if this presentation has made you want to start this gentle gymnastics, know that you can practice it in one of the 5600 clubs listed on the site sport-sante.fr (link below).
