Stand On One Leg Like The Crane Resting - (1 Of 3) Poem by Frank Yue

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Stand on one leg like the crane resting -
If you're not already doing this
You yourself should start training,
Or teach your children to do it!
Naturally, you'd want to know why?
This shall give you strong legs for life!

Why so?
The benefits are multiple!
First, by standing on one leg only,
You're forcing your leg muscles
To grow stronger and stronger
To support the whole body.

You should of course train the other leg as well -
Then Good Health and Fitness with you will dwell.
As you're advancing in age year after tear,
Past your prime, your heart, a mechanical pump, will suffer -
The hands and the legs are the body's extremities;
With less nutrients in supply the legs face more difficulties.

Secondly, standing on one leg allows you
To develop a keen
Sense of balance, this means
You're not so prone to falling
When you're walking or even running.
Falls and accidents would likely avoid you, too.

Thirdly, standing on one leg only
Is a form of internal training -
This trains simultaneously
Your body, spirit and mind!
It's also a form of quiet meditation:
Inner peace, purity of heart you will find!

Fourthly, standing on one leg only -
One of the basics of martial arts training certainly.
This strengthens your lower section,
Fosters a firm, immovable foundation -
A platform from which you can launch powerful kicks to forestall
Attacks by in-coming assailants in directions all.