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By practicing a little, but every day, we can remove the blocks fixed in our minds and believe in ourselves again. This idea is at the heart of a simple and effective Japanese technique called kaizen.
But what if you start exercising for one minute a day? Only one! Kaizen is based on this principle, a management strategy used by the Japanese since the 60s of the last century to improve the quality of work and progressive change for the better. Kaizen (continuous improvement) suggests that rather than embarking on a large program that requires a lot of energy, it is better to start with small actions that require very little effort in a short period of time. This principle is disarmingly simple, and it can be applied in all areas of life. Take a minute to do eye exercises, take a minute to meditate, do a few yoga moves, do a breathing exercise, or just walk up the stairs… Taking one small step at a time can go a long way.
According to Dr. Robert Maurer, professor at the University of Los Angeles (USA), pinpoint focus on small and easily achievable goals allows you to remove the internal clamps that prevent us from changing our lives for the better. The strategy of small steps allows us to believe in ourselves, avoid the feeling of helplessness, which increases our feelings of guilt and even shame for our own failure. Every little act done consciously is a source of satisfaction – in the end it gives us the opportunity to experience the taste of success. The idea of kaizen goes against the widely held notion in Western culture that only serious effort can lead to truly impressive results—but that doesn’t make it any less effective. One minute of work – several consecutive movements, breathing exercises, literally two or three asanas …
The only condition is to perform the exercises every day at the same time.
To gradually make movement an integral part of your life, all types of exercises are good (yogic asanas, qigong complexes, brisk walking, climbing stairs, strengthening the press). Try to identify your primary bodily needs (increased tone, endurance, weight loss, stress relief) and understand which part of the body is best to start working on.
About it
Robert Maurer “The Way of Kaizen” Popurri, 2005.
Read more:
- Movement: new medicine
Where to begin
This minute will allow you to reconnect with your own body and gradually tone your muscles. In Eastern practices of working with the body, it is believed that it strengthens our connection with the energy of the earth, gives a feeling of “rootedness” in life, and helps to imbue confidence in the Universe.