Water and fitness

Due to waters buoyant quality, only 10 % of the body’s weight lies in the ligaments and joints when doing aquatic sports. This is because of the density of water. Waters density is 970 times higher than that of airs. Exercising in water is especially suitable for overweight people and people with joint and spinal problems. Professional athletes opt for aquatic sports when curing injuries in their feet and legs.

What is so special about aquatic sports?

When submerged in water, blood vessels are under increased pressure. Consequently, more blood flows towards the heart. The heart causes more blood to circulate each time it beats. Hence the heart must work less to supply the body with oxygen-rich blood. The pulse rate is lowered.

The main goal when swimming is to keep the water resistance as low as possible. Aquatic sports, on the other hand, actively use water resistance to strengthen muscles.

People with knee or back problems can do swimming and aquatic sports, but should consult with a Doctor before doing so.
The injury hazard is lower when in water.

Being in water withdraws warmth from the body. It reacts by producing more warmth. Producing warmth strengthens the immune system and stimulates the metabolism.

The weight of the water increases pressure on the body and massages it. The skin may be tightened. Muscles can become firmer and, like the conjunctive tissue, are supplied with more blood.

Aqua jogging
Aqua jogging is similar to jogging on land. You run in water hip or chest high water and water specially weighted shoes. At an advanced stage, you can do deep water aqua jogging. Whilst doing this, a lifejacket helps you float. Aqua jogging burns a lot of calories.

Water shiatsu
A therapist is in the water with the patient. He moves the completely passive patient according to certain figures. Not only is this very relaxing for the patient, it also relieves his joints.

Aqua aerobics and aqua stepping
These sports entail exercising the whole body to music.

Aqua-Qi-Gong
The rotation and balance exercises traditionally performed in Chi Gong are re-enacted in a concentrated form in the water.

Aqua walking
Aqua walking means walking in water, feet on the floor.

Aqua Nordic Walking
Walking in water with exercise sticks.

Aqua Nia
Aqua Nia is a mixture of yoga, tai-chi and free dance. It activates muscles, nerves, body and spirit.

Aqua Pilates
Gentle and effective muscle training. Especially in water, beginners can follow the very specific Pilates movements more easily.
If you just want to relax and do nothing in particular, have a lay in 36°C warm water in a so-called “liquid-sound-tub” listening to music.

Steam as an energiser

A steam bath with its very high humidity and at a temperature of 40 to 60°C stimulates the metabolism and the blood circulation in the skin. A Finnish sauna, on the other hand, only has a humidity of around 10 to 30 % and is 85 to 90° C hot.

During the heat-up phase, the body is fed intensive heat. Afterwards, it is purposefully cooled. Having saunas is beneficial for heart and circulation and soothes rheumatism, asthma and problems with the nerves. The heat of the sauna stimulates the skin. It can free itself from dead cells and harmful toxins. The skin’s tissue is deeply cleansed and strengthened.

Water –Father Kneipp’s treatments

Sebastian Kneipp, born in 1821, grew up in poverty. He was the son of weavers. Since a young age, he had to work hard in order to help maitain the family. He always wanted to become a vicar – much to his family dislikes. His parents’ backgrounds and lack of education did not permit it.

When he was 21, he became a weaving journeyman and found a sponsor, Chaplain Matthias Merkle. Sebastian Kneipp could consequently visit High School and obtained a University-Entrance Diploma. During this time, he was working as a day labourer and studied at night. In Munich, he began to study Theology.

With years of overexertion he became so ill, that doctors gave up hope. Still, Kneipp continued his studies and discovered a book about treatments with water in the Library. These treatments included diving in the River Danube, which is what Kneipp did regularly in the winter. He managed to cure himself. Through his recovery, he began researching and developing special treatments with water.

He developed a concept for a healthy lifestyle. It did not only entail treatments with water, but also addressed nutrition, movement and the use of local medical plants. Today these are known as the “five elements of Kneipp’s doctrine”.

After having successfully treated Cholera patients during an epidemic in Upper Bavaria and Swabia, Kneipp was known to the public as the “Cholera Chaplain“. During the epidemic, he was only allowed to treat patients that doctors had given up on. Many Pharmacists and Doctors opposed to Father Kneipp. He was charged for breaking a certain Law concerning curing patients and in 1854 a Pharmacist sued him for damaging business.

How and why do Kneipp’s water treatments work?

Water carries cold, hot and poikilotherm temperature stimuli. Through the skin, these affect the vascular, nervous and hormonal system.

Every application triggers a local stimulus and, through the central nervous system, an additional central stimulus (brain/bone marrow).

Water is an important carrier of medical plants. Kneipp’s treatments entail the use of cold effusions, vapour (enriched with medical herbs), various wet packs and baths.

The Egyptians, Greeks, Syrians and Romans already knew the constitutional affect of baths. What Sebastian Kneipp did, was rediscover medical plants. Modern science offers explanations for why thearpeutic baths work. Essential oils enter the body through the skin (a human’s skin covers 2 m²). Today, these substances can be traced in the blood and confirm the effectiveness.

The aroma of essential oils can heighten spirits. Rosemary and needles from fir trees are stimulants, for example. Thymol found in oil of thyme acts upon bacteria and fungi. In connection with other substances, it stimulates the blood circulation.

A tip – dew-running

Dew-running is easy to do. Just after standing up, jog through the dewy grass with bed-warm feet, for up to five minutes.

Kneipp Kindergartens

In some countries, there are institutions that are run according to the five elements of Kneipp’s doctrine (nutrition, herbs, water, exercise and a balanced lifestyle). In the long term, children shall playfully learn to deal with their health sensibly.

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