THE SIX GYMNASTIC EXERCISES
Given by the Master Beinsa Douno in August 1922 in the town
of Veliko Turnovo
GENERAL GUIDELINES AND PRINCIPLES
The six exercises are given by the Master Beinsa Douno
in August, 1922 in the town of Veliko Turnovo.
The six exercises are performed throughout the entire
year separately or before Paneurhythmy. When they are performed separately,
the closing exercise and the providence are included as well. The exercises
should be performed with concentration, the mind following every movement,
the consciousness being alert.
The movements of the right foot and leg influence the
brain and those of the left ones influence the sympathetic nervous system.
When moving the right foot and leg, you balance the masculine principle
inside yourself and when moving the left foot and leg you balance the feminine
principle. By the movement of your right foot and leg, you give something
to your mind and by the movement of your left foot and leg, you give something
to your heart.
At the same time these six exercises express involution
and evolution. For example, in the first exercise, lowering our hands and
arms represents descending of the Spirit - involution. Taking the first
three steps backward is again descending, involution. The lifting up of
our hands and arms represents evolution or ascending, as do the three steps
forward. Downward and backward are synonyms, so are upward and forward.
Involution and evolution can be compared to a process in plants - there
is some analogy. The sowing of the grain of wheat into the soil is descending,
involution. And when the plant rises above the ground and gives fruit,
this is ascending, evolution.
Raising the hands is accompanied by an inhalation, lowering
them by an exhalation. When bringing the body upright, inhale; when squatting,
exhale. If the six exercises are done very slowly, rhythmically and together
with breathing, they will be much more effective.
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Opening Page
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