Healthy Living n You - The Best Way Of Living
The Hindu Push Ups
1. Start with your hands on the floor, shoulder-width apart.
2. Your feet are on the floor (no knees) and your legs are wider than shoulder-width apart.
3. Starting position is butt in the air, head looking back to your heels.
4. Bend your elbows and lower your body in a circular arc, until your arms are straight. Your chest is up and your hips are almost touching the ground.
5. Look to the ceiling. Exhale.
6. Push back toward your heels once again. Straightening your arms and stretching your legs, as in #3.
7. Repeat
The Hindu pushup, also known as dand is a staple exercise in the training routines of East Indian, Iranian, Turkish, Chinese and Japanese wrestlers. It is called "Hindu" because many believe it originated in India, where, even today in the "akhara" (wrestling sand pits) - you will see it being performed.
Legend has it that the Great Gama of India, who never lost once in 5000 matches, did 2,000 dands each day. These numbers are most likely grossly inflated - but the fact of the matter is that Gama did do this exercise daily and he was unstoppable. Combat athletes, such as wrestlers, martial artists, boxers and football players, who have adopted this exercise are experiencing similar results. The same can be said of the so-called "average" Joe or Jane, who simply wants to get into better shape fast.
Hindu pushups get you into incredible shape very fast because the entire body is engaged in the exercise, making it a compound movment hitting all the major muscle groups, including the legs, back, chest, shoulders, arms, hips and abdominals. In addition to this exercise hitting all the major muscle groups, it strengthens and tones the internal organs as well. Doing this exercise increases lung power, improves digestion and as many have discovered, increases sex drive and stamina. Because of the deep breathing that accompanies this movement, your heart and cardiovascular system receives a major benefit as well.