Activity time: 5 minutes

Introduce the activity, saying:

Each day our body, mind, and heart beg for exercise to stay healthy. Together they carry us where needed every day and night. They don’t want us to be couch potatoes; if we are, all parts of us will rebel by stiffening up. Remember the admonition, “Use it or lose it!” Forgive your body its aches and pains… and exercise in order to R-Y-E: “Retain your elasticity!”

Lead the group in these exercises, adapted from the book Five Minute Massage by Robert Thé, demonstrating as you lead. Use these exercises from previous workshops. Remind participants to do them only if they are physically able to do so:

Exercise 1: Take a deep, slow breath. Stretch wide your arms out to the side, being careful not to whack your neighbor! Feel your chest expand and stretch. Now, gently tap your chest and sides using a soft fist. (1 min.) It is said that this exercise helps your immune system.

Exercise 2: Take a deep, slow breath. Stretch wide your arms out to the side, being careful not to whack your neighbor! Feel your chest expand and stretch. Now, gently tap your chest and sides using a soft fist. (1 min.) It is said that this exercise helps your immune system.