In many countries, reaching the age of 70 is often associated with knee pain, loss of balance, dependency, and the feeling that physical deterioration is an inevitable part of age. However, in Japan the reality is completely different. There, it’s common to see people in their 80s and 90s walking upright, working in their vegetable garden, cooking in a squatting position, climbing stairs without support, and maintaining a vitality that defies the stereotypes of aging.
It is not about privileged genetics or expensive treatments. The difference is in daily habits and, above all, in a series of functional postures that the Japanese practice throughout their lives. They are simple, quiet, and profoundly effective movements for strengthening stabilizing muscles, improving posture, stimulating circulation, and maintaining mobility.
Here are the six poses that explain Japanese functional longevity and how you can incorporate them from home.