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.

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&#39;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&#39;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&#39;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&#39;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&#39;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&#39;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&#39;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&#39;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&#39;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.