P-mates

		"Unique physical exercise"

PPC	>> Radio Exercise and Streching Exercise
PAP	>> Tai Chi Chuan
PAPS	>> Great Singapore Workout

PCL	>> Traditional vs Comtemporary
PTSL	>> PTSL's Spring Bowling Competition
PTW	>> Variety of Aerobic Exercise
PMT	>> YOGA

		Radio Exercise and Streching Exercise [PPC]


	In order to promote a healthy life, two types of exercise music are broadcast every day at the R&D Department in the Fuji Area. The first one at 9 AM is radio exercise. In the past, all staff members participated prior to the morning meeting. At that time, the custom was that all staff members assembled and took part in radio exercise, and then they proceeded on to the morning meeting, and then skipped off to clean their workplaces. Only after all this would they start work. After flexible working hours were introduced, it was sad to see that the number of participants in radio exercise decreased dramatically, and now, only one staff member continues to be active. However, the music still plays every morning. Stretching exercises conducted from 3 PM daily have become popular in its place. Once stretching exercise music starts to be broadcast in the building, almost all personnel working in the office stand up and participate in exercise on the spot. While it is not intense exercise, stretching one's body while inhaling and exhaling can refresh the body. If you ever have the opportunity to visit the Fuji area, please take the opportunity to participate. By the way, is anyone aware of an easy exercise that is effective for dieting?

		Tai Chi Chuan [PAP]


	Basically, PAP does not have specific physical exercise for the staff. Most of the staff do jogging to keep fit during their non working days and most of the managers play golf as a form of exercise during their rest days. Generally, the Chinese in Malaysia prefers to learn Tai Chi Chuan. However, the varieties of Tai Chi Chuan in Malaysia is numerous of which the most popular is the 18 patterns Tai Chi Qigong which originated from Taiwan under the aspiration of Master Lin Hou Shen of Taiwan. The 18 patterns Tai Chi Qigong is practically a form of routine aerobic type exercise which has a vast following in Malaysia as it is easy to learn. The followers also include Malays and Indians and the exercise is usually carried out with the aid of a tape recorder giving guidance on the timing of the breathing sequence during the process of the exercise. The original form of Tai Chi Chuan in Malaysia are the 24 sequential patterns and 48 sequential patterns Yang Clan Tai Chi Chuan which is more difficult to learn and practice as the patterns are in sequence unlike the 18 pattern Tai Chi Qigong which consist of 18 individual exercise patterns. The Yang clan Tai Chi Chuan being less aggressive is popular among the older Malaysian. Malaysian are more in favour of adapting the simplified 24 or 48 sequential Tai Chi Chuan which evolved from the original set of 108 sequential Tai Chi Chuan. Then there is the Chen clan 38 sequential patterns Tai Chi Chuan which is the more aggressive form of martial art. This type of exercise is more suitable to the younger Malaysian. In comparison to other martial arts like Taekwondo, Karate or Judo, this form is still less "gentle". Tai Chi Chuan is normally practised in the morning and in open air areas of Lake Gardens unlike the Taekwondo, Karate or Judo which are mainly classroom exercises. Of late, the popularity of Tai Chi Chuan has been uplifted by the organising of competitions and citizens being more conscious of their health. The regular practice of Tai Chi Chuan is believed to be able to build up the body's resistance to illnesses.

		Great Singapore Workout [PAPS]


	In Singapore, we have a unique physical exercise called the Great Singapore Workout. It is a set of Total Body Exercise that is done with a warm up before and a cool down after. The exercise was designed for people of all ages, so that the whole family can do the workout together. There was even a theme song to sing along to while doing the workout. The Great Singapore Workout was developed in 1993 in conjunction with the launch of the National Healthy Lifestyle Campaign. It was developed by Mr. Browyn Dearnley, Ms. Janet P. Pt Schke & Ms. Roya Killingsworth, with the assistance from the Singapore's Sports Council. Since launching the Great Singapore Workout, several schools have incorporated the workout in their mass exercise sessions where teachers also joined the students in the workout. There are also companies that organise events in conjunction with the Great Singapore Workout. Planet Fitness, a local health and fitness centre is one such company. To spread the word of healthy living to the masses, they collaborated with the Singapore Sports Council and successfully spearheaded the Great Singapore Workout in August 2001. More than 15,000 people, including our Prime Minister Mr. Goh Chok Tong attended the mass exercise event.

		Traditional vs Comtemporary [PCL]

As an East-West crossroads, Hong Kong is the perfect place for your achievers to learn how people can battle stress and fatigues in various combinations. Nowadays, different hobbies as well as different age group people can select various types of healthy physical exercise. They could be simply classified into two types: Traditional & Contemporary.

	Traditional - TAI CHI.

	Every morning at sunrise, thousand of Hong Kong people head for the tranquil parks, beaches and rolling hills to practice the ancient art of TAI CHI. Tai Chi emphasizes on BALANCE, FOCUS, STRENGTH. By correct posture, appropriate exercise rhythm and control your breathing pace, Tai Chi can improve your metabolism rate and energize your day. There are many extra curriculum centers offering Tai Chi classes at low cost. It does not only attracted aged people but young people alike.

Contemporary - gymnastics.

Healthy life styles, health food, being slim and fit are fashion here.
There are 2-3 big international fitness chain enterprises here. They do not only provide cutting edges exercise equipments but also arranging free classes like kick boxing, yoga, step-boards, Latin jam, Tai Chi Chuen etc. All these courses are free for members and instructed by certified tutors.

It is a common scene that many people carry their gear bag back to work and then hoped into their sports gears as soon as they could after the office hours.

Nowadays, many fitness centers are franchise cooperates. They have centers all over the world. You simply pay for a membership in one place and you can then enjoy the facilities in everywhere, at every time. In PCL office, all 3 single gentlemen are fitness club member and most of the female staff are also members of some fitness clubs.

		PTSL's Spring Bowling Competition [PTSL]

Spring is a good season for outdoor activities and doing some sports exercises in team. On 21 February 2004, PTSL human resource dept. sponsored a sports weekend activities, mainly including bowling and snooker in the OuDeng Bowling Sports Centre, HengSan road.

	Fun		High Mark

	We really found funs bowling there and felt relaxed from tip to toe. You see the below photo how happy our youngest male staff Mr. Xiong was.		The bowling competition is really hot, 120, 130, 140, 150… Can you believe that two of our amateur players, Mr. Zhu and Mr. Sun, even achieved marks over 180, though they both admitted that they did not play bowling for a long time.

	Lucky Winners		Lovely Baby

	You see how happy our one of our lucky winner, Mr. Lu, is when he accepted the winners' prize from Ms. Furuichi.		Who's the lovely baby? Ah! She's Ms. Furuichi's new born daughter. She must love bowling too as her eyes never left from the bowling mark board.

	Our Happy Sports Family

	Bowling is a good sport activity that is not only good to attendants' physical health by help practicing limb muscles, bringing fun, but also benefit attendants' mental health by helping build people patience and focus that are key success factors in our daily job. On the other hand, such activities also help build team spirit, enhance the friendship between colleagues in different department. In short, everyone likes such kind of sports activities and is long for a second competition in the near future.

		Variety of Aerobic Exercise [PTW]


	In Taiwan, aerobic exercise is becoming a fashion. Lots of gymnasium is located intensively in the commercial area of Taipei 101, the one-hundred-one-floor skyscraper. For the people always suffocated with working pressure, aerobic exercise helps them not only relax but also burn fat naturally and then provide the body cells with abundant oxygen to remove unnecessary metabolites. So, a lot of nine-to-five "working tribe" would like to spend one to two hours at the gym after work. So would our Taipei office ladies. "Stepping back and forth and then jumping up and down ….", how boring the past aerobic exercise was! You may not believe that the latest ones have been renovated to be so diverse and remarkable. Aerobic Boxing: Combining dance, Karate, Tai-Chi and boxing technique, the fat burnt is twice as traditional aerobic exercise. Occasionally shouting out plus powerful music will accompany every move you make. Recently, lots of males are motivated to join Aerobic Boxing because it has become more and more interesting.



	Africa Aerobic Dance: It was formed by imitating the actions of hunting, combat and worship in Africa tribes. While moving with the wild drum tempos, you feel like a chieftain leading warriors for fighting. In just a few minutes, Africa Aerobic Dance will bring you to the primitive Africa grassland. Latin Aerobic Dance: The famous Latin singer-Ricky Martin, his unique gesture of twisting hips might deeply impress you. No doubt twisting hips is the specialty of Latin Aerobic Dance. With the characteristic of Latin dance and aerobic exercise, Latin Aerobic Dance is so exciting with its lively actions and passional rhythm. For those people who pursue great body shape, it do help them have admirable waistline. Pilates: Aerobic dance and Yoga are integrated in the actions. By practicing the knack of inhalation and exhalation, keeping body balance by harmonizing muscles and nerves, Pilates can strengthen muscles durability and body pliability. In the U.S. and Europe, many physical therapy clinics adopt it as a treatment. Even Madonna-the queen of pop music, is Pilates's enthusiast. Are you moved? Would you move? Come on! Just follow me to be all of a sweat!

		YOGA [PMT]

Nowadays Thai people are interesting in physical exercises more and more. PMT also support our staffs to pay attention in healthy by applying a corporate membership at the fitness center nearby the office for all staff to spend their time together. There're many kind of popular exercises such as; aerobics dance, swimming, table tennis etc. and one of the most favorite physical exercises is 'YOGA'.
The innovation exercise like yoga was gained in popularity amongst Thai people for many years. Though it was hard to follow the instruction at the beginning, but often practice 'yoga' will make it easier and your body will stay balance and become healthy. Moreover, they say 'yoga' will make you look younger with good shape than you are!
Besides, you can practice 'Yoga' even in the office with basic gestures.
'Yoga' will make you feel bright and work with delightful feeling. So let's start 'Yoga' for our good physical and mental health.