Movement & Rest
Whilst there are many different types of physical exercises and sporting activities to choose from, we focus on exercises that you could do at home. It is vitally important to warm up before and cool down after any form of exercise.
The Tibb Walking Exercise
- This is a gentle exercise recommended for all temperamental types. It can be done anywhere – in a small room or outdoors. If safety or space concerns exist, as may be the case with elderly people, then you may ‘walk on the spot’ for the same periods of time.
- Warm up by walking normally, swinging the arms gently. Do this for about 2 minutes initially.
- Then walk briskly, raising the legs and swinging the arms firmly. Do this for about 5 minutes.
- Then cool down by walking normally, as in the warmup. Do this for about 2 minutes.
- Do these exercises daily but increasing the time for each session weekly to a maximum of 25 minutes per session.
The Tibb Jogging Exercise
- Jogging is more intense than walking. It will therefore produce more heat (and dryness) than walking. This exercise is more suited to Phlegmatic and Sanguinous temperaments.
- Jog on the spot, lifting the knees as high as possible, putting the weight only on the balls of the feet – (prancing). At the same time swing arms in a full circular motion.
- Start by doing this for 30 seconds building up to 5 minutes.
- Increase gradually by 30 seconds, to a maximum of 10 minutes per session.
The Tibb Mental/Emotional Breathing Exercise
This exercise is also prescribed for all temperamental types. It creates harmony in the two hemispheres of the brain. Do this exercise early in the morning or late afternoon.
- Select a protected time and space, free from interruptions.
- Assume the same position as described in Breathing Exercise 1. The right index finger should be used to close the left nostril. Take a long, deep breath through the right nostril, and hold for 15 to 20 seconds.
- Release the finger closing the nostril and close the right nostril with the right thumb.
- Breathe out through the left nostril forcefully. This counts as one complete breath.
- Repeat the same process starting with the opposite nostril.
- Start by doing 5 breaths, and slowly build up to 10;
- After completing the exercise, rest for at least 5 minutes in the same position.