Aqua Balance “Ellipse”

Holiday in the water.
Tension and relaxation – switching from passive and active states – both are an integral part of a holistic exercise and therapy programme in the water. Aqua balance is a completely new combination of stimulation, mobilisation and relaxation. Aqua balance combines exercises from Pilates, Yoga, aqua aerobics, hydrotherapy and Watsu to create a unique workout experience.

Significant elements of relaxation, breathing work and massage, muscle stretching and joint mobilisation have a harmonising effect on your body.
Wave motions alternating with stillness create a state of weightlessness and deep relaxation.
Your passiveness allows the water to play the active part.
Through this state of suspense, a physical state of lightness is achieved.
The effect on the body is immediately apparent. Breathing is deeper, your heartbeat calmer.
Physical barriers and psychological stresses can be relaxed and removed.
The powers of self-healing are activated and stress is relieved.

In the relaxed position on the aqua balance aid, spinal pressure is released while the body is supported from the side. The result is an exceptionally deep feeling of relaxation. The more relaxed the body, the more intensively the muscles stretch in the water. Active exercises are possible as the aqua balance allows free movement of the arms and legs. Experience a new training sensation and life awareness. Feel a sense of well-being throughout your entire body and experience physical contentment.

Advantages of the aqua balance ellipse:

• Trouble-free and weightless intense relaxation
• Holistic alignment by using gentle stretching exercises, water massage, energy and breathing exercises
• Supports therapeutic techniques for back and neck pain, migraines, stress and insomnia
• Rehabilitation after injury and therapy for arthritis
• Noticeably relieves the musculo-skeletal system of the human body
• Effectively relaxes the muscles, thanks to specific neck, back, arm and leg support: integrated neck support
• Side supports provide stable positioning of your body in the water
• Arms and legs can move freely in the water
• Flexible material allows variable moulding
• Optional lying or sitting position
• Excellent buoyancy for adults up to 85 kg
• Two-layer, high-quality, closed-cell foam with a pearl finish
• Size: 125×40×3 cm
• Colour combination: yellow/black

Functions/features
The closed oval-shaped aqua balance ellipse is an all-round safe body support in the water and encourages deep relaxation, stretching of muscles and ligaments and mobilising joints. The closed-cell foam provides excellent buoyancy.

Exercises: single user (self-therapy)
Performing exercises slowly and with care is the basis of a successful workout. The exercises can be performed in any sequence. Begin with the starting position.

Starting position
With your body in the resting position, lie on the aqua balance ellipse, head resting on the neck support, neck muscles relaxed, legs lying on the lower edge of the ellipse and arms relaxed at the side of your body. When changing the position of your body or your limbs, you have to adjust your centre of gravity.

Relaxing

• Acknowledge and feel your body’s state of relaxation, complete lack of physical activity
• Depending on how you feel, bend a leg slightly and become aware of the change of position
• Try different head, arm and leg positions
• Lay your arms at your side in the water, bend your legs and let them float in the water
• Let your body give way to the relaxed position, let the back of your knees rest against the lower edge of the ellipse
• Flat on your back, hips supported at the sides, slightly bend one of your legs

Please note

• Shoulders should be relaxed, not tensed up
• Hands open
• Relaxed jaw
• Mentally unwind, clear your mind
• Slow and gentle movements: light lifting and lowering of limbs
• Be aware of your breathing and breathe deeply to achieve relaxation
• Use meditative music to support relaxation

Warning
Relaxing, meditative exercises can lead to a trance-like state, while deep relaxation can lead to sleep. Therefore do not use the aqua balance device without supervision.

Stretching/mobilising

• Stretch one arm up above you: change sides
• Rest one arm above your head in the water: change sides
• Place both arms above your head and rest them in the water
• Rest both arms above your head, then place them back by your sides
• Jumping Jack: stretch arms and legs out to the sides and bring them back together again, making sure not to overstretch
• Raise a stretched-out arm and leg on the same side at the same time out of the water: repeat with the other side
• Alternate between raising one stretched-out arm and leg: alternate between sides
• Lateral position in the aqua ellipse: lift one stretched-out leg: repeat on the other side¶
• Alternately pull up and stretch out each thigh: with your legs straight

Vertical exercises in deep water

• With arms supported by the elliptic ring, let your body and legs sit in the water
• With your arms supported on the ring, move your legs up and down: alternately or at the same time
• With your arms supported on the ring, move your legs alternately out to the side and back in again

Exercises with support

Starting position
With your body in the resting position, lie on the aqua balance ellipse, head resting on the neck support. Neck muscles relaxed and legs resting on the lower edge of the ellipse.

• Move person alternately forwards and backwards, sensitive awareness of the water
• Move person alternately in a clockwise and anticlockwise direction, sensitive awareness of the change in direction
• Sitting position

Starting position
Sitting on the aqua ellipse but with your body in the water up to shoulder height:

• Balance your body by using arm and leg side movements
• When sitting position is stabilised, move your legs forwards and backwards in slow or quick movements
• Forward movement of your body in a sitting position by moving only your arms and legs forward
• Rotational movement of your body to improve balance

Please note:
Aqua balance is not suitable for people who have:

• Vertigo
• Fever and inflammatory conditions
• Inflammation of the respiratory tract
• Acute herniated disc (slipped disc)
• Infectious diseases
• Cardiovascular complaints
• Arterial diseases
• Thrombosis
• Ear infections, eardrum damage

Please consult your GP before beginning any aqua balance exercises.

Using aqua fitness equipment in chlorinated pools and salt water
Foam aqua fitness equipment is designed to be suitable for use in chlorinated pools and salt water, but we advise you to rinse it with plain water after use to make it more durable and longer lasting.