gymnastiques douces

English translation: low-impact exercise

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
French term or phrase:gymnastiques douces
English translation:low-impact exercise
Entered by: Cath St Clair (X)

15:24 Mar 18, 2009
French to English translations [PRO]
Social Sciences - Philosophy / Consumer society
French term or phrase: gymnastiques douces
I know what this means (Pilates, aqua-aerobics, etc.), but I can't find a concise way to phrase it in English.

Context:

"Mais la culture du bien-être sensitif ne se limite pas à l’habitat et aux objets : il a gagné le rapport au corps et se lit dans la multiplication des activités liées à la forme, à l’entretien de soi et au training, dans les gymnastiques douces et aquatiques, les cardio-fitness ou encore le yoga, tout cela étant destiné à nous détendre, à chasser le stress, à nous sentir mieux."
Cath St Clair (X)
Spain
Local time: 01:17
Low impact gymnastics/aerobics/exercise
Explanation:
The "Low impact" is the important bit
Selected response from:

Terry Richards
France
Local time: 02:17
Grading comment
Yes, I think "low-impact exercise", while not half as poetic as the French, is the best I'm going to get ;) Thanks, everyone.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +4Low impact gymnastics/aerobics/exercise
Terry Richards
3 +3gentle water exercises
Alain Pommet
4 +1soft exercise and (gentle) aqua-aeorbics
K. Ganly (X)
3 +1gentle exercises and aqua aerobics
Joan Berglund
3alternative exercise and aqua-aerobics
Helen Shiner
3gentle gymnastics
Sheila Wilson


Discussion entries: 3





  

Answers


55 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
gymnastiques douces et aquatiques
soft exercise and (gentle) aqua-aeorbics


Explanation:
I am pretty sure in the context here they dont just mean 'gentle water exericses', but gentle exercise AND aqua-aerobics, and cardio-fitness, yoga etc...

i.e. the gentle/soft exercise and the aqua-aerobics are the first 2 different elements at the start of the list of activities available

K. Ganly (X)
United Kingdom
Local time: 01:17
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Dr. Johanna Schmitt: yes, both
30 mins
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59 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
gymnastiques douces et aquatiques
gentle exercises and aqua aerobics


Explanation:
It may even be possible to say "non-impact" instead of gentle, although that may be overtranslating - depends on the overall context. Aqua aerobics are often specifically recommended for people who need to avoid impact.

Joan Berglund
United States
Local time: 21:17
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Dr. Johanna Schmitt: ..or low-impact
25 mins
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3 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +3
gymnastiques douces et aquatiques
gentle water exercises


Explanation:
If you are interested in a group class, you may be
able to join a gentle water exercise class. There may
be suitable classes at local pools or at hydrotherapy
pools.
http://209.85.229.132/search?q=cache:l0X9AUv4lgYJ:www.arthri...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 7 mins (2009-03-18 15:32:11 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Another example:
A.F.Y.A.P. Twinges: This shallow water class consists of a series of gentle water exercises designed to help you feel better, move better, and make new friends in a relaxed social setting. Certified instructors teach all classes.
http://www.ymcala.org/Branch/Webpage.aspx?ENT=57&ID=1232

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2009-03-18 16:25:47 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

In answer to your note:
In that case maybe say something like ' gentle water exercise and other non-strenuous forms of exercise'.

Alain Pommet
Local time: 02:17
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 3
Notes to answerer
Asker: I have a feeling that these are two separate activities (gymnastiques douces et gymnastiques aquatiques). "gymnastiques douces" generally refers to Pilates, Tai Chi, Qi Kong, etc.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Susanna Garcia
8 mins
  -> Thanks Susanna

agree  Ada Jones
25 mins
  -> Thanks Ada

agree  suezen
1 hr
  -> Thanks suezen
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
gymnastiques douces et aquatiques
alternative exercise and aqua-aerobics


Explanation:
I don't know the term 'soft exercise' - perhaps it is not used in the UK. The term, if any is used at all, here is 'alternative exercise' - since most of those you mention are based on Eastern principles, alternative medical understanding of the body, etc. And I don't think there is anything 'soft' about Pilates or yoga done properly, I must say!!



--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2009-03-18 17:09:09 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

http://www.1001beautysecrets.com/fitness/books/exercise/inde...

http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/diet.fitness/alternative.exercise/...

Helen Shiner
United Kingdom
Local time: 01:17
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 8
Notes to answerer
Asker: "I don't think there is anything 'soft' about Pilates or yoga done properly" - I quite agree, Helen - perhaps this is why I can't get my head around this. I practice and teach yoga, and the "douce" adjective just doesn't work for me in the original... ;)

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2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +4
Low impact gymnastics/aerobics/exercise


Explanation:
The "Low impact" is the important bit

Terry Richards
France
Local time: 02:17
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Yes, I think "low-impact exercise", while not half as poetic as the French, is the best I'm going to get ;) Thanks, everyone.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Sandra Petch
16 mins

agree  Jenn Mercer
1 hr

agree  Yolanda Broad: Definitely low impact! (The only kind of exercise I can safely indulge in)
2 hrs

agree  B D Finch
5 hrs
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3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
gentle gymnastics


Explanation:
I know it's literal, but I really can't see that it should be excluded. I agree that "exercise" (gentle or not-so-gentle) is a very vague term, whilst gymnastics is much more well-defined.

YMCA - Gentle Gymnastics
- [ Traduire cette page ]
Gentle Gymnastics Floor exercise program with or without resistance to develop strength, flexibility, balance, coordination and agility. ...
www.yquebec.org/en/health/activity/5/74/

[PDF]
Gentle Pilates
- [ Traduire cette page ]
Format de fichier: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - Version HTML
Gentle gymnastics that leaves sweat, panting and loud music out of the question, aiming instead at gentle movements, relaxation and concentration. ...
int.primopiatto.barilla.com/piacereebenessere/pensatoperte/pdf/78969_awContent.pdf

Sheila Wilson
Spain
Local time: 01:17
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
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