50 Low Bows - Fitness Exercise Recommended by Lenin!

Here is a lesser known (almost unknown) all-round fitness exercise from none other than the great Lenin Himself! 

A fitness exercise recommended by V. I. Lenin. 

Lenin's advice to his younger brother, Dmitri Ulyanov, in a letter sent to Dmitry when he was in a Tsarist prison: 

"And what about Mitya [short for Dmitri]? Firstly, does he follow a diet in prison? Well, probably not. But, in my opinion, it is really necessary to stick to a good diet while in prison. And secondly, does he do gymnastics? Probably not, either. But it's also necessary. From my own experience, at least, I know that and can say that I practiced gymnastics every day for the night with great pleasure and good results. Sometimes, I warmed up so much that I felt quite hot in a cold cell. To this end, I can recommend a rather good gymnastic exercise (albeit ridiculous) - 50 low bows " (1898).. 

A "low bow" involves kneeling from a standing position and touching the floor with the hands and the forehead but keeping the torso off the floor and is a form of bowing used in Eastern Orthodox (aka True Faith) Christian rites worship, so called "lesser prostration".

It is like in this wikipedia picture but without the prostration bit (6):

Here is how you do it properly - from a standing position you bend down to touch the floor with your hands, then, leaning on your hands, kneel and touch the floor with your forehead, palms pressed to the floor.

After that, you should stand in the reverse order - raise your head, tear off your knees from the floor, and then your hands - and fully straighten up, repeat as many times as you need ... or can do.

Lenin did 50 low bows in one session of exercise before going to bed (he probably could have done more as he was quite physically fit in those pre-revolutionary times).

I tried and do this exercise from time to time myself; it is a difficult one giving a good all-round work out.

Actually, this exercise works almost all muscles - arms, abdominals, legs, as well as cardio.

It can also be done with force and intensity, tensing specific muscles, for example, the muscles of the arms or extensors of the back, muscles of the legs, etc.

Religious people can at the same time read prayers or meditate in any way they please.

It is also a convenient exercise to do in cramped circumstances (for example, in a cell, in a hotel room, in a B&B, etc.), because you don't need a lot of space to do it, although it is desirable to have a rug or something like that and, in the place of contact of the forehead with the floor (rug), you should put a clean handkerchief, towel or tissue. 

I think that the exercise is a useful one, although you should know your limits and be careful in everything. 

For example, one should watch for signs of strain on the Achilles tendons.

Try it, if you please, but always consult your doctor first.



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