There's a difference between training and working out, between showing up for class and experiencing class.
As a fitness instructor it is sometimes challenging for me to find ways to share my love and belief in committing to a movement practice. For me, it steps into my Spiritual nature, which can be taboo in our culture (or is it human nature?).
Mo Gawdat, in his book, "Solve For Happy", beautifully takes us through a logical explanation of how the thoughts in our head are not us, and that our body is not our essence. We are so much more. Which I totally get/love/believe. These are ideas I have working for a long time.
For me, the connection that happens when I commit to my practice echos the preparation and presence I give to divine moments. It is my daily 'prayer'.
There is a specific practice of mindfulness that can be met anywhere, in any way. It's the idea of giving your entire concentration to an experience. All the senses are turned on and bringing floods of information to your brain, that is wholely focused on taking that information and applying it to the other parts of your brain and body in support of their 'true purpose'. And to embody (or 'Be') the elements of peace/Heart/love and joy/Vitality and Unity/connection. My ego/humanity still feels the drive to embody (or 'Be') the elements of productivity, growth, Wisdom, (Vision).
The body is made to move, in all directions and in every way.We spend the majority of our time in two positions: Sitting, and lying down. Although lying down is an important and restorative position, especially when we are actually resting, Sitting usually indicates that our bodies are shutting down for the most part and the brain is taking over.
My practice has waned as I have been experiencing some pretty profound changes in my life. In the process, I have struggled to maintain my physical practice, because my brain is so bossy and wants to be in charge all the time. Mo talks about this concept in his chapter "Shut the Duck Up" where he reminds us that because your thoughts are not You, we can learn to interact with them and quiet them through 'Happy' practices, or those that bring us back to our 'Be'ing.
I declare a recommitment to my practice of a minimum of an hour a day moving my body specifically and purposefully. This is how I build a training program:
What do I love to do (using my body)? Everything from gardening, tennis, cooking, kayaking, hiking, mechanics
What do I regularly use my body for? Housecleaning, yard work, moving boxes, walking
These questions build a framework for seeing where you are using your body as a tool - or not. (more here)
Next we look at where there are gaps, inconsistencies or dis-eases that prevent us from a full physical expression of our Be-ing.
Where do I feel restriction in my body?
Where do I feel restriction in my life?
Where would I like more freedom - in my body and my life?
The final piece (for the movement practice): Unlock stuck areas, build energy (heat) and then release it.
I love using tools in my practice. I have an arsenal of favourites, but if I had to pick only the essentials, I would take my clubbells, a resistance band and a TRX/Pull-Up bar (I need both!).
The last piece is the glue that holds all these great ideas together:
It's all just energy - keep it flowing: Be a Generator!
My movement has a purpose: to connect me with my Higher Self. The more I generate energy using this amazing gift of my body, I am generating energy to release into my life, and the world at large.
It requires a focus and presence of mind we often relegate to business dealings, thinking that productivity is quantifyable. But without the energy to fuel that mind...
Practice. Daily. How you want to move, how you want to think, how you want to relate to your Body by Being.
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