Trunk and Shoulders
While there is no such thing as spot reducing or elimination fat from a specific body area, you can shape and tone individual muscle groups through calisthenics. Stretching and twisting the trunk help flatten the stomach, shape the waist, and provide the flexibility needed for graceful movement. The goal of the shoulder stretch is to clasp your fingers behind your back, but try it first with a towel. The shoulder stretch helps prevent or correct the sedentary syndrome known as "secretary's slump."
Hips, Thighs, and Buttocks
These areas of your body can be toned and strengthened through exercise such as: leg and knew lifts, knee and trunk rolls, buttocks lift, sit-ups, and flutter kicks. All these exercises involve your body's larges muscle mass, part of the anti-gravity group that enables you to maintain an upright stance - thus, their importance to posture
Abdomen
Sit-ups and other reclining exercises that involve lifting the legs or torso are also good abdominal conditioners as long as the back is kept slightly rounded and the knees are bent to prevent lower back strain. For sit-ups, clasping your hands behind your head makes the abdominal muscles do more work. Twisting the torso so that your right elbow touches your left knew (and vice versa) is even more beneficial.
Strength
Calisthenics are used for the Kraus-Weber tests of strength and flexibility. Designed to test the key muscle groups in your body, these exercises will reveal whether you have the necessary strength to handle your own body weight and flexibility to match your height. If you can perform all six, you meet the minimum level of muscular fitness.
Note: It is permissible to bend your knees in order to touch the floor --- and perhaps desirable, to avoid back strain.
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JANUARY 12
