Japan is considered the country that can boast of having a very high rate of centenarians and long-lived people, an achievement that is explained not only by its healthy diet, in which fresh foods rich in nutrients and antioxidants prevail, but also by the practice of physical exercise.
In fact, there is a routine that, for almost a century and like a national treasure, its population everywhere follows daily and it is about Radio Taiso, which in addition to keeping us in shape will fill our body with energy in just five minutes. Kumiko Kanayama, a great Shiatsu Master, explains: “In Japan, everyone knows Radio Taiso because we had to practice the routine every day at school.”
“Also beyond school, because it is broadcast on national public television and on its radio channel. In addition, there are many large companies that organize their Radio Taiso on a daily basis, so everyone exercises together at work«, he added. Its origin dates back to 1928, when the Japanese country launched, inspired by a similar initiative that had previously failed in the United States, its National Radio Health Exercise Program to commemorate the coronation of Emperor Hirohito and the success was resounding.
What does Radio Taiso consist of?
Radio Taiso is a calisthenics routine, that is, a training system with physical exercises that are performed with your own body weight to gain resistance, agility, balance, coordination and flexibility, indicates Adrián Rodríguez, personal trainer. In fact, it is also known as Radio Exercise or Radio Calisthenics and, to practice it, as with other calisthenics routines such as tai chi, no type of device or additional load is required, the body being the one that, through coordination and precision of movements, exercises resistance to gain strength, explains the expert.
Read also What does the Japanese diet consist of, which is a source of healthy living and longevity?
When asked if it really works, specialists say yes and at any age. In fact, a study from the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology of Japan shows that this routine greatly improves aerobic resistance.agility and balance in elderly people with frailty. But its positive health effects go much further. Among others, as observed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Geriatrics and Gerontology, its morning practice is effective in maintaining mobility and increasing social support among friends.
How to practice Radio Taiso
It is not necessary to travel to Japan to be able to do it, since we can practice it at home or, better yet, as is customary in Japan, at our workplace or outdoor, always in company. We can also do it standing or sitting.
The Internet and especially TikTok are full of videos showing how to perform this routine in which, among other movements, you have to make wide circles with your arms, turning the waist from one side to the other while swinging the arms, practicing squats, leaning the body forward – touching the floor with the palms of the hands – and back – arching the back –, or jumping – rather bouncing – while standing. They open and close their legs. Rodríguez pointed out that it includes a series of constant movements, but none excessively intense, making it ideal for all ages and any physical condition.