| »» Ruesi dud ton, or Thai traditional stretch exercise, is another manifestation of Thai traditional wisdom related to health care that can be used for health promotion, disease prevention and rehabilitation of some minor disorders. Ruesi means "hermit" and dud ton means "body stretch exercise". Ruesi dud ton is derived from the yoga practice in India focusing on a series of stretch exercise to relieve the muscle fatigue and stiffness that occurred after long hours of Asanayoga which parts of the body are stretched or bent in specific positions. While performing ruesi dud ton, one also practices breathing exercises and meditation by focusing on breathing rhythm. Hence, the health benefits of ruesi dud ton are increased body agility and muscle coordination, stimulated blood circulation and promotion of good concentration.
To educate people about ruesi dud ton, in 1836 King Rama III ordered the building of 80 ruesi dud ton statues made of a mixture of zine and tin in different postures. They were placed in Wat Po Buddhist Temple together with marble tablet inscriptions in poetic from describling the health benefits of each posture. These ruesi dud ton casts can still be found at Wat Po.
Institute of Thai Traditional Medicine selected 15 basic ruesi dud ton postures, out of a total of 127 postures, as suitable for people of all ages. The selected postures cover the exercise of all parts of the body from head to foot to be promoted for health promotion and to help adjust the balance of the body structure. |
