What does ”asahi” mean?
It is a prophylactic and
therapeutic exercise method,
which combines the best aspects
of physical training techniques
from other cultures with Western
medicine.
”asahi” (Japanese)
means:
”the rising sun”
or
”it is dawning”
The team of experts who developed asahi
Timo Klemola
Ilpo Jalamo
Keijo Mikkonen
Yrjö Mähönen
Docent of
philosophy
Teacher of KarateDo (7. dan)
Teacher of the top
grade sportsmen
MD, specialized in
internal
diseases and
geriatrics
Coach
Coach
Coach
Director of the
Budo-institute
Shaolin
Managing director of
the Lauttasaari
Exercise Center
Turku
Helsinki
Director of the
Physical
Education
Research Unit
University of
Tampere
Coach
Helsinki
The history of asahi in brief

The developers of asahi have had years of
experience in questions relating to exercise.

The developing program of asahi started in the
year 2004.
The goal was to create a simple exercise method to
improve general health.

Before defining the exact method, many practical
trials were made using different test groups.

The training groups started practicing in 2005.

Teacher training started in 2006.
About 700 persons have been trained to teach
asahi groups at the moment. They operate in
different parts of Finland. Many of the teachers
have additional experience as exercise experts or
physiotherapists.

The practice of Asahi has spread to many parts of
Finland. It has proved to be very practical fitness
training for elderly people and has become quite
popular in this age group.
THE AIM OF THE ASAHI PROJECT:
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING



To maintain good health
To improve health and well-being
To speed up recovery after disease or injury
INDIVIDUAL BENEFITS

FOR WORKING PEOPLE : improving the
ergonomy at work and relieving stress

FOR SPORTS PEOPLE: recovering after
hard training and relieving the stress
resulting from competition

FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE: extending the
years of independent living in ones own
home
SOCIETAL BENEFITS

Reducing the expenses of hospitalization
Asahi method includes 3 separate sets of movements.
These sets resemble each other: the system is ”modular”.
It is possible to train asahi in many ways.
It is recommended to learn the first level as a routine at home.
Modules: Relaxation - Neck - Back - Legs/Balance
Breathing exercises
begin and end each
module.

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3
HOW TO GET INACTIVE PEOPLE TO
EXERCISE
A person needs only a little extra daily exercise to
start noticing the health benefits, for example
- walking 2,5 hours weekly
- gymnastics 30 min twice weekly
Asahi is a good method for gymnastics.






EASY TO START : IT IS POSSIBLE TO JOIN TO A GROUP AT ANY TIME
SIMPLE METHOD TO LEARN
THE PRACTICE IS DONE IN A PEACEFUL, STRESSLESS ATMOSPHERE
SAFE METHOD FOR ALL
NO NEED OF SPECIAL EQUIPMENT
AFTER LEARNING THE METHOD, ONE CAN DO IT INDEPENDENTLY AT
HOME
MEDICAL ASPECTS
RELATING
to
Asahi Health ®
- training method
THE ESTIMATED NEED OF
HEALTH CARE IN FINLAND
2015 - 2030
Due to the weak physical condition
of the elderly in Finland, a large
nursing staff is required to care for
them.
In 2030 it is predicted there will be 380,000 people who
won’t be able to get out of bed without assistance. The
largest problem will be with people over 75.
The elderly:
the possibility of living
independently at home depends
generally on the following
abilities:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Muscular power in the legs
Flexibility of the joints
Ability to coordinate movements
Balance
Memory
”Asahi Health” - training method
strengthens all the above
Scientific research on asahi’s
effects on health
This method is so new, that only some preliminary
surveys have been done – and they are not ”scientific”
because of the small size of the test groups and the lack
of control groups
Nevertheless, these surveys tell us following
facts:
1.Problems with the neck and the shoulders decrease
2.Stiffness and pain in the joints decreases
3.Problems with the back decrease
4.Balance improves
Here you see an example of the pulse
rate of a 60 year old woman measured
during a (60 min) session of asahi
Pulssitaso
120
100
80
60
The principles of asahi practice
1. Slowness and softness
Even people with the followíng health issues can practice it safely:
cardiac problems
pregnancy
osteoporosis
back and joint disorders
2. Continous muscular pumping
increases blood circulation
increases the lymphatic circulation
3. Peaceful and deep respiration
oxygenates the blood
removes excessive carbon dioxide, reducing the acidity of the blood
4. Concentration on the sensations within the body (somatosensorics)
cuts down the whirl of inner verbal ”chatter” in the mind (left brain)
calms the mind in a way similar to meditation
5. Gentle but abrupt shaking of the body (in series II and III)
Shaking parts of the body at a force four times that of gravity strengthens the bones
(patients with difficult osteoporosis and with artificial joints should avoid these
impacting movements)
ASAHI NORDIC ry is an organization for Asahi teachers and
students, whose purpose is to promote the practice of Asahi by
offering basic training programs for beginners, as well as beginning
and advanced teacher training. The organization also offers health
events and Asahi camps as part of its program. It was founded in
2015. Join today and become a member of the growing number of
people who practice Asahi! As a member of our team, you can
promote this practical source of well-being that is accessible for all,
in Finland as well as in other countries around the world.
- See more at: http://www.asahinordic.com