Zookinesis is a system of exercises derived from animal movements. It combines active movements to tone the muscles and increase flexibility and energy, with slower, meditative movements to eliminate stress and tension. New classes will begin in September and we invite you to join us. You can email us at info@movementsofmagic.com or call 631 744-5999 to ask about class times and any other information. The classes will be held at the Long Island School of Tai-chi-Chuan in Sound Beach.
Zookinesis is one type of “chi-gung” exercise, related to Tai-chi and Chinese Yoga. The exercises imitate animals like the tiger, monkey, crane, snake and the mythical dragon. They are also called, “Age Reversal Exercises” as they keep the body young or return the body to a younger state. In this way you can remain active all your life and stay in great shape. There is even a seated version of Zookinesis for those who cannot stand up. If you do not live in this area you can practice with our Zookinesis DVD’s available in the Online Store.
When I first learned this system of exercise as a teenager, I worked at an animal importing company. I compared the exercises I learned to the behaviors of the actual animals, even discovering new movements that my teachers didn’t know about. During several summers, I canoed through the jungles of Central America, studying the animals in the wild and discovered still more behaviors.
This was the way Zookinesis was originally developed. People in those days lived in more wild conditions and had to observe animal behavior either to hunt or to avoid being hunted by the animals. They wanted to learn what makes one animal powerful, another agile and another fast. By copying the movements of each species, the early people were able to acquire the qualities of the animals. They then developed exercise sequences to practice the animal movements. The result was a very enjoyable way to stay in fantastic shape.
But they also discovered something else. They found that the animals often moved slowly or spent a great deal of time in relaxed alertness. In other words, the animals were meditating. By copying the animals’ ways of meditating, the early people found that they could vividly feel their connection to the natural surroundings. They felt the flow of life through their bodies, the flow of life through the environment and the connection between the two. Meditation for them became a fulfilling, peaceful experience that gave great meaning to their lives.
The earliest Zookinesis teachers (the name, “Zookinesis” is my translation) found that the best results came from combining the active and meditative exercises, just as the animals like to move in a variety of ways.
One more note: I have finished with my new novel, “The Doubting Snake”, which takes place in the jungles of Central America and involves lots of animals. It is a fantasy novel about the ultimate battle between sorcerers and science and is a lot of fun. The novel gives the reader an insight about how tribal cultures view the modern world. Copies should be available towards the end of the year.