"If you don't like sports, so be it. But not moving is not normal, exclaim Dr. Alexandra Dalu, endocrinologist and anti-aging doctor, and chef Thierry Marx (1). More than sedentary, we have become immobile." We don't even shop anymore. "It's a shame, because as soon as the body moves, all the youth hormones are activated," explains Dr. Dalu. They are measured in the blood and it shows on the brain MRI. We see more anti-inflammatory proteins, more natural painkillers, more synapses in the brain, and most importantly, more joy and energy." Not to mention the purely physical effect on muscles, weight, flexibility, resistance. Practiced regularly and without excess, any physical activity is good to take, as long as you enjoy it.
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But before the latter arrives, you have to try. And persevere to set the virtuous circle in motion. On the eve of the Olympics, we leave the performances to the athletes, but we put our bodies back in motion, gently, at our own pace. And it's not just walking, yoga and Pilates: there are plenty of fun activities that are accessible to all ages and levels. Thierry Marx, a martial arts fan, recommends taïso, the "yoga of judo." Dance is also back in the spotlight. For Holissence, the holistic platform created by Élodie Jacquemond, the four best dances are Cuban salsa, which improves coordination; Kathak, a classical Indian dance that promotes flexibility and concentration; the Senegalese sabar, whose powerful rhythms strengthen the cardiovascular and muscular system; and finally, Egyptian belly dancing, which is good for the thighs, joints, abdominals, and back. And self-confidence. So, do we challenge our sports routine?
The softest: Antigymnastics
As its name suggests, this body approach, created by a physiotherapist in the early 1970s, is not a sport: unlike the series of abs-glutes and other squats, it is based on an approach combining body and mind to free oneself from tension. Simple – even simplistic – on the surface, all the movements (standing with your feet together, wiggling your toes, sticking out your tongue, etc.) are slow and precise and mobilize the deep muscles, which are responsible for posture and balance. At each stage, we listen to our body to identify imbalances and blockages, and try to remove them. To be practiced in a small group with a coach (antigymnastique.com), or alone or with the family, at the office or at home with Ma leçon d'Antigym, by Marie and Thérèse Bertherat, published by Éditions Eyrolles.
At night, I get younger
Sport also has a beneficial effect on sleep. "Every day, the DNA of our cells suffers from 500,000 to a million lesions, and millions of proteins are damaged," says Dr. Jean-Paul Curtay, a pioneer of nutritherapy in France. At night, our energy is used to digest these damaged proteins. This is called autophagy. By sleeping, we detoxify the body and brain. "Sleep is medicine," says Dr. Dalu. Its deprivation leads to an inflammatory and oxidative flare-up. From time to time, it's not serious, but if it lasts, you shouldn't wait for the disorder to set in and seek help. Sleep debt (eight hours a week) is hard to recover. After a month, the body's software records this new biological rhythm. Sleeping pills can help you get through a rough patch from time to time, but they prevent brain detoxification." And to remember that there is no ideal bedtime or quantity, everyone has their own chronotype. The important thing is to go to bed and get up at the same time, including weekends. Without a screen.
The softest: Munz Floor
Designed by a former prima ballerina, this method aims, gently, to regain muscle tone, improve posture, flexibility, coordination and balance. And finally, to unravel tensions and stiffness. Like the floor barbell, it is practiced exclusively lying down. The exercises – there are more than 600 of them – consist of spirals mobilizing the three major volumes of the body (head, trunk and pelvis) and are performed at a very slow pace, guided by the coach's voice and the feelings of each person. By focusing on the fascia – the connective tissues that cover all our organs, muscles and tendons – this body practice makes them gain hydration and elasticity with, as a result, a great freedom of movement.
List of coaches on maisonmunz.com and at Sofitel Quiberon, sofitel-quiberon-thalassa.com
Not liking sports, so be it. But not moving is not normal
Alexandra Dalu and Thierry Marx
The most glamorous: the Kalon method
Between ballet and Pilates, this concept was created by cabaret dancers to sculpt long and thin muscles, improve posture, while working on cardio. You don't have to aim for the Crazy Horse to get started, but when you get out, your head carriage and gait are much more graceful. Especially if you choose the Atelier Showgirl. And since the movements change quickly, there's never a dull moment. You can attend group classes in nine Parisian establishments, or follow them on VOD from home.
kalonmovement.com
(1) Alexandra Dalu is the author of The 100 Received Ideas That Prevent You from Going Well (Ed. Leduc) and co-author with Thierry Marx of L'assiette santé (Ed. Flammarion).