An unusual form of exercise: Elephant Trunkercise

Yes, what you said is right I think, anything that animals practice must naturally be good and relatively harmless, as it is all a part of nature's ways of bringing the most efficient health to these large animals. In other words, as you said, it is natural. Health movements developed, and so were designed to bring animals the maximum benefits in the simplest and easiest possible of ways, and so without expending any excess energies. Trying this exercise, when combined with the hum, will get your body really humming, and tuned. This technique, or something similar, was often employed by some of the old masters to enable a lifting of the stress levels of karma, that they had taken on from their students, to take place. This karma can also make for a heavy body and mind, even in a master, and so this gently lilting and lifting motion will ease the pains away, and soothe the nerves and mind into a tranquil state of blissful peaceful haziness. The same mystical haze that you see in that bear or elephant as they are doing it! They are not just bored, or tired; it really is all about looking at a sort of poetry in motion. Having mastered this technique, we can then realise that this basic pattern of movement and natural swaying can be achieved from other differing or varying positions. We can be even more inventive then, using the word that you used here, siva. We can begin this movement if we like, by taking one step forwards from the initial feet at shoulder width apart position, and so then making the movement a backwards and forwards rocking motion, rather than a sideways movement. This variation of stepping forward and doing the rocking motion backwards and forwards, also involves the arms which swing forwards also in concert with the forward motion, and with the weight on the front foot, and backwards with the backwards motion onto the back foot. And again you can lift the whole foot off the ground, or just leave it grounded at the heel with the front foot, and grounded at the toes with the back foot. The movement is completely adaptable, and so the sideways rocking or swaying motion can even be done while seated on an armless couch or chair. I am a great believer in the idea, that once you have learnt the basics of anything, or in this case, of this particular movement idea of swaying, you can then begin to experiment creatively with building your own slant, or you can add some extra additionally added aspects to the basic movement form. Here, for example, are a few ideas and suggestions for you. You can try different positions, with straight legs, or of bending the knees slightly. You can even hold onto a bench with one hand for extra support if necessary. Experimentation with the speed of the exercise or relaxation form can also be worked with, and so altered or changed to suit your own requirements. The slower the movement, the more relaxing it is. And the faster the movement, the more it will become more an exercise movement for you. In either case, you should feel a gentle toning/tiring or warming to your hips area. Change around the feet position to suit yourself as well. The distance or width apart of your feet, the angle that you sway, directly forwards, or more at an angle away from directly forwards. A 45 degree angle towards the northeast or the northwest direction, for example. I have even tried the movement with my eyes closed. Rocking is a motion that allows a centralised elevation of the nervous system associated with the extrasensory ability to feel the body without really feeling it, and so motion such as this, relaxes you, as you move rhythmically without consciously moving. After a time, the motion itself becomes habitual, and so the mind relaxed and then the movement of swaying will seem to move you past the level of only physical swaying to another higher and enhanced sensory level. This level that will then achieve for you a certain connection to the nervous "dispositionary" stance of a total relaxation, and which is no more than a quieting of excess movement and of the nervous response mechanisms of the body. In all these movements, allow the movement to move you, and so the rhythm becomes you, normalised to your own body. And so relaxation becomes you as well, because it is now a part of your overall bodily movement, and your normal programmed reactions are nil, and non responding at all. You have moved past your body and past your mind now, to the relaxed state which is really already pre-existing in your soul. Yes, this movement can be done from many different angles and directions, and yes, even while seated with the eyes closed, whilst meditating or contemplating and it will tend to distract the mind, and so help beneficially the meditation. Rhythm is the basis of the whole movement energy of the creative universe, and by moving within this rhythm, you return to this connection to nature in your body, and which is the ultimate relaxation and prelude to meditation, which then takes place without further distraction or bodily influences at all. All rhythmical movement is relaxing like this, and think here of Tai Chi, which is only the next step onwards from these basic swaying movements that I have outlined for you here. (Most of this was taken from an older article of mine that was deleted from Helium when they closed.)

@innertalks You have put lots of thought into this Steve. Relaxation is the key and I have managed to find relaxation even in moments of stress. I try to make it a way of life. One of my ways is to recall the lives of others who carry on despite great misfortune. I have seen those obviously blessed are the first to complain at the drop of a hat and those who do not know where their next meal is going to come from are easily satisfied. Body, mind and soul as also the present life and thoughts of afterlife should all be in harmony. Attitude decides where we find ourselves in - siva

@Shiva49 Yes, to stay relaxed, despite the storm, can be hard at times. I think it is the inbetweeners, like myself, that have the most problems with relaxation. I am not poor enough to be easily satisfied, like these very poor people are. They have their own type of a reward in their ability to be happy in desperate situations. I am not rich enough to complain at the drop of a hat, from any blessings, either. But I do complain or remain unhappy about being stuck in this middle situation, not rich, not poor, and not happy, either way. I envy the rich their richness, and I envy the poor their happiness and relaxed satisfaction, but perhaps not their poorness.