Beauty, Rooted in Health
To further care for the physical and mental health of female employees, bolster their self-confidence, and showcase a healthy and proactive spiritual outlook, the Labor Union [1] and the Women’s Working Committee of our Institute held the third "Female Professional Image Enhancement Salon" on September 22, 2022, in conference room 1237 of the Research Building. We specially invited Zhi Xiaoai, senior designer and posture management designer from the V-NY Style Group, to deliver a lecture on physique management and healthy posture. She provided on-site guidance and taught exercise methods suitable for researchers' daily routines, aiming to cultivate a healthy and beautiful professional image for our Institute's female staff. The event was presided over by Tan Xiaojun, director of the Institute’s Women’s Working Committee, and attended by committee members and dozens of female employees.
First, Teacher Tan introduced the purpose of holding this salon: due to the nature of their work, the female employees of our Institute often remain in a sedentary state for long periods. Over time, many individuals have developed issues with their neck, shoulders, and waist, which not only affects their physical health but also makes it difficult to maintain good posture, thereby impacting their aesthetic image. Therefore, this salon was organized to help everyone understand the health benefits of maintaining good posture and to teach corresponding exercise methods, enabling everyone to become more beautiful on a foundation of health.
Next, Teacher Zhi spoke on three segments regarding the relevant topics.
First, an introduction to knowledge regarding correct posture. Teacher Zhi pointed out that "figure" is a comprehensive concept of physique; height, weight, skeletal structure, and body carriage are all integrated indicators for evaluating one's figure. One's figure is closely linked to the postures adopted in daily work and life. Many musculoskeletal problems are caused by various body parts habitually remaining in incorrect positions. Improper standing, sitting, and sleeping postures can lead to damage to joints, muscles, and tissues, resulting in symptoms of discomfort and pain. To this end, she taught everyone several correct postures that should be maintained in daily life.
Second, understanding one's own postural data. To motivate active participation, Teacher Zhi specially prepared a measuring tape and a physical assessment form for each person, providing on-site guidance for self-measurement and mutual measurement of body data. Based on the problems revealed by the measured data, she provided targeted explanations on the relationship between body data and healthy posture, furthering everyone's understanding of skeletal structure, body shape, and posture.
Third, learning several simple postural training movements. Teacher Zhi taught several postural training movements on-site that are specifically suited to the work nature of researchers. Accompanied by rhythmic music, the group practiced rhythmic exercises targeting the neck, shoulders, waist, and legs, as well as variety fitness routines suitable for brief relaxation in the office. Everyone joined in the movement, experiencing the long-absent joy of exercise in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.
After the lecture, at the request of the participants, the Institute’s Women’s Working Committee coordinated with Teacher Zhi to arrange three one-hour postural training guidance sessions via Tencent Meeting during the noon hour of "return-to-institute days." [2] This extends physique management and healthy posture from a brief "two hours in class" to "anytime outside of class," serving to supervise and help everyone develop daily exercise habits and cultivate an awareness of beauty predicated on health.
The teachers participating in the event expressed that this salon was novel in form and meaningful. It not only allowed them to understand knowledge of physique management and healthy posture—which usually receive little attention—and to recognize the close relationship between posture and health, and exercise and emotion, but also allowed them to master simple, feasible exercise methods suited to themselves. Feeling that the harvest was plentiful, they expressed great gratitude to the Institute’s Labor Union and Women’s Working Committee for organizing such a thoughtful activity.
(Contributed by Song Xiaomin)