U.S. patent application number 12/019811 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-16 for exercise training depicting energy flow.
Invention is credited to Jeffrey S. MacKay.
Application Number | 20080254947 12/019811 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39854266 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080254947 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MacKay; Jeffrey S. |
October 16, 2008 |
EXERCISE TRAINING DEPICTING ENERGY FLOW
Abstract
A method for the video display of exercises by an instructor, to
a person performing the exercises, whereby digitized animation is
utilized to depict energy flow in relation to the body to enable
the exerciser to combine movement, breathing and visualization of
energy flow, to achieve improved exercise results.
Inventors: |
MacKay; Jeffrey S.; (Las
Vegas, NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LEWIS, BRISBOIS, BISGAARD & SMITH LLP
221 NORTH FIGUEROA STREET, SUITE 1200
LOS ANGELES
CA
90012
US
|
Family ID: |
39854266 |
Appl. No.: |
12/019811 |
Filed: |
January 25, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60923623 |
Apr 16, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2024/0012 20130101;
A63B 2244/10 20130101; G09B 19/0038 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/13 |
International
Class: |
A63B 23/18 20060101
A63B023/18 |
Claims
1. A method for the video display of exercises by an instructor, to
a person performing the exercises comprising: (a) displaying video
images of a series of exercise movements; (b) simultaneously
displaying the proper breathing for each exercise; and, (c)
simultaneously displaying animated video images depicting the flow
of energy in and around the body of the instructor; (d) said
simultaneous video images enabling the person exercising to
coordinate the exercise movements with proper breathing and with
visualization of the flow of energy.
2. The method for the display of video images of exercises of claim
1 wherein the animation is synchronized with the exercise
movements.
3. The method for the display of video images of exercises of claim
1 in which the exercises are divided into three stages, comprising
a warm-up stage, a balance stage and a high energy stage.
4. The method for the display of video images of exercises of claim
1 in which the flow of energy is displayed by showing a vibrant
electric cloud in and around the body of the instructor.
5. The method for the video display of exercises of claim 1 in
which the instructor first demonstrates body movements, second
demonstrates the breathing techniques, and third demonstrates the
body movements during which the flow of energy around and through
the body of the instructor is simultaneously depicted.
6. The method for the video display of exercises of claim 1 in
which the depiction of the flow of energy flows through the body's
meridian channels.
7. The method for the display of the video images of claim 3 in
which the warm-up stage is a combination of Yoga and Chi Kung.
8. The method for the display of the video images of claim 3 in
which the balance stage is a smooth revolving blend of Tai Chi
movements.
9. The method for the display of the video images of claim 3 in
which the high energy stage comprises aerobic martial arts.
10. A method for the video display of exercises by an instructor,
to a person performing the exercises comprising, dividing the
exercise movements into three stages, comprising a warm-up stage, a
balance stage and a high energy stage, displaying video images of a
series of exercise movements, simultaneously displaying the proper
breathing for each exercise, simultaneously displaying animated
video images depicting the flow of energy in and around the body of
the instructor, said simultaneous video images enabling the person
exercising to coordinate the exercise movements with proper
breathing and with visualization of the flow of energy.
11. The method for the video display of exercises of claim 10 in
which the instructor first demonstrates body movements, second
demonstrates the breathing techniques, and third demonstrates the
body movements, during which the flow of energy around and through
the body of the instructor is simultaneously depicted.
12. The method for the video display of exercises of claim 10 in
which the depiction of the flow of energy flows through the body's
meridian channels.
13. The method for the video display of exercises of claim 10 in
which the warm-up stage is a combination of Yoga and Chi Kung.
14. The method for the video display of exercises of claim 10 in
which the balance stage is a smooth revolving blend of Tai Chi
movements.
15. The method for the video display of exercises of claim 10 in
which the high energy stage comprises aerobic martial arts.
16. An apparatus for storing video images of exercises, comprising:
a video storage device, said video storage device containing video
information implementing the method of claim 1.
17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said video storage
device is selected from the group consisting of: a video tape,
motion picture film, a CD-ROM, a hard disk, computer RAM, computer
ROM, a DVD disk, and Blu-ray disc.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application claims priority to, and all
advantages of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/923,623,
filed Apr. 16, 2007, which application is incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates generally to the animated depiction of
energy flow in and around the body in association with exercise and
fitness type instructional training. More particularly, but not by
way of limitation, the present invention relates to an exercise
video program which enables the user to visualize energy flow and
then to combine body movements, breathing and the visualization of
energy flow to achieve improved benefits from exercise.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It has long been known that regular exercise will improve
the health and quality of life of an individual, regardless of
their age or level of fitness. It is also virtually universally
understood that properly designed exercise movements strengthen the
muscles, connective tissues and even the skeletal system.
[0004] Less than universally recognized, but of a growing body of
scientific knowledge, is the role that energy forces (both within
the body and with respect to the surrounding environment) play in
exercise routines if those energy forces are directed and
recognized. The concepts of energy flow, visualizing energy flow
and then directing that energy flow, despite a fairly recent
phenomenon of increasingly accepted scientific knowledge in the
West, has been basic to the Chinese systems of science, medicine
and philosophy dealing with body energy, Qi, which flows through
the body's meridian channels. Meridians have been detected in
scientific studies through thermal imaging techniques, such as
infrared technology, which have shown that the body releases
hormones unique to each meridian. Meridians have also been
identified by measuring bioelectricity in internal organs and their
corresponding meridians.
[0005] Acupuncture practitioners practice "meridian theory"
acupuncture, using needles to remove blockages of Qi. This is
explained by some as a neuroelectric stimulation of
neuropeptides.
[0006] Traditional Chinese Medicine ("TCM") suggests that human and
natural forces (Yin and Yang) must be brought into balance for good
health. TCM considers pain and disease to be the result of qi
blockage or imbalance, and strengthening Qi flow can improve health
and ward off disease. All TCM therapies, including herb,
acupuncture, massage and qigong, are based on this perspective.
[0007] Qigong is the method or process of cultivating the body's
energy through the adjustment of body posture, breathing and
mentality to achieve the optimal state of both body and mind. In
the realm of fitness programs such as tai chi, yoga and qigong, an
exerciser typically must master the art of visualization of energy
flow before positive results can be achieved. Because most
exercisers are not aware of what meridians are or how to control
the energy flow through meridians, the process of learning tai chi,
yoga and qigong from instructors is extremely difficult and can
take months for an exerciser to grasp.
[0008] Unfortunately, for this reason, many potential exercisers
undertake a tai chi, yoga or qigong fitness program and abandon the
program only a short time later, before any meaningful improvements
have been achieved.
[0009] There is, therefore, a need for instructive training
material, which directs a potential exerciser to the proper means
of body movement, breathing and, most importantly, the concept of
visualization of energy flow, in order to achieve the desired
result.
[0010] It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an
instructional exercise video system that graphically depicts the
flow of energy through the body, enabling the user to combine the
proper body movement, breathing and visualization of energy flow,
in order to achieve greatly improved benefits from his or her
exercise.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] This invention achieves the benefits stated above, and
overcomes the drawbacks of known exercise and fitness instructional
videos by utilizing the graphical depiction of energy flow by
providing animation depicting the flow of the energy through and
around the body. This enables the user to combine the proper body
movements, proper breathing and the visualization of energy flow to
achieve improved benefits from the exercise. This exercise method
awakens the body's energy storage vessel to achieve a powerful flow
of energy so that the exerciser looks and feels better. This is
accomplished in part by freeing up the body's meridians, which
gives a boost in the immune system, increases metabolism and
removes stress. This method enables the user to easily grasp the
concept of energy flowing in relation to the body and through the
body's meridians, avoiding the process of mastering the art of
visualization, before even beginning to reap the benefits of the
exercise routine. The energy comes from within and from the earth
and surrounding environment.
[0012] These and other embodiments, features, aspects, and
advantages of the invention will become better understood with
regard to the following description.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] This invention comprises a set of exercises which may be
divided into three stages for both learning the exercises and for
performing them. Stage one is a "warm up". Stage two is a "balance"
stage. Stage three is "high energy". The "warm up" stage is a
combination of Yoga and Chi Kung designed to awaken the body's
energy storage vessel and initiate a powerful surge of energy.
[0014] The "balance" stage is a smooth relaxing blend of Tai Chi
moves designed to free up the meridians, the body's energy
channels, to balance and revitalize the entire being.
[0015] The "high energy" stage utilizes aerobic style Martial Arts
designed to ignite the energy flow with a full body workout, and
then wind back down to a calm yet powerful center.
[0016] Each of the exercises depicted by the instructor in the
video, which the exerciser follows, demonstrates first, the body
movements and second, the breathing techniques to be used. The
added feature, which makes the exercises of this invention
especially unique, is a third depiction comprising the graphical
depiction of energy flow by providing animation depicting the flow
of the energy around and through the body. As the exerciser can see
the proper body movements, the proper breathing and the energy
flow, maximum results are obtained from the exercises. This enables
the user to combine the proper body movements, proper breathing,
enhanced by the visualization of energy flow from the body, and
from the surrounding environment, which then achieves greatly
improved benefits from the exercise. This method can be applied to
instructional videos for many different activities and
exercises.
[0017] The animation depicting the flow of the energy through and
around the body is accomplished by showing a vibrant electric cloud
(the energy). This energy cloud is moved in relation to the body by
the proper body movements, including the arms, hands and legs.
Visualization of the exercise video shows the energy flowing in
relation to the body and enables the exerciser to see, and then
feel, the energy flowing in relation to his or her own body. This
element greatly enhances the value of the exercise.
[0018] The exercises are preferably done in three stages. The first
stage is the "warm up" stage which is a combination of Yoga and Chi
Kung designed to awaken the body's energy storage vessel and
initiate a powerful surge of energy.
[0019] The second stage is a "balance" stage which is a smooth
relaxing blend of Tai Chi moves designed to free up the meridians,
the body's energy channels, to balance and revitalize the entire
being.
[0020] The third stage is a "high energy" stage which utilizes
aerobic style Martial Arts designed to ignite the energy flow with
a full body workout, and then wind back down to a calm yet powerful
center.
[0021] In each stage, there is simultaneously shown the proper
exercise movements, the proper breathing and the depiction of the
energy flow.
[0022] The exercises are depicted and shown by using an apparatus
for storing video images such as video tape, motion picture film,
CD-ROM, hard disk, computer RAM, computer ROM, a DVD disk, and
Blu-ray disc.
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