In our society we relate success with reward mostly from sources external to us. Our routines for fitness and training can be limited by our approach and the desire for recognition, praise or appreciation. But unlike the more outwardly directed sports, games and training focused on point and scores, mindful exercise is directed inward- designed for overall balance and state of the mind, body and our emotions.
Balance:You may be strong but inflexible, so you might try yoga, dance and other forms of stretching to gain proper range of motion. If you are naturally flexible then strength building will bring balance to your muscle control and joint stability.
Center: If we deviate in our alignment then our muscles will not properly gain from either stretch or strength building exercises. Alignment is key. Postural imbalances result in chronic tension; energy is wasted in the body, since muscle effort is constantly required to hold the body up.
Relax: Tension leaks energy from the body. Over contracted muscles waste enzymes, calcium, nutrients and many other elements that help produce energy in the body. The reason bodybuilders need so much protein is because the body can't store protein. They work so hard not for skill but for isolated strength or appearance. The end result is deep neuromuscular tension and chronic pain from over contraction. Physical ease represents the relationship of your mind and body. When you are truly relaxed and centered , the mind rests, the emotions flow with ease, and the body surrenders itself to natural laws. All feels right with the world because all is right in the body.
Suppleness: For most of us, developing suppleness requires stretching. However a baby needs no special training because it has no tension, neither did you at some point in your life. But as your grew, you began to unconsciously hold tension through muscle memory. This is largely related to emotional habits. To release this tension first become aware that it exists. Notice when you move how it feels; then shake loose and relax. Do this more and more until relaxation and release become a new habit replacing the old.
Two steps forward , one step back: Many trainers push and pull their bodies through various extended positions either casually or aggressively, gritting their teeth in pain. This kind of program is two steps forward, one step back. They waste themselves to gain little, rather than naturally arriving at the destination without pushing too hard.
Sensitivity: A point of Taiji is to become so aware of the body, both inside and out that you could feel if a fly landed anywhere on your body while training. This enhances coordination as well as function of all five senses. With excellent coordination also comes superior timing, rhythm, along with refined balance and fast reflexes. Sensitivity allows for more efficient learning because your body picks up cues faster- you feel errors and correct them faster.
Meditation: Meditation can be an enhancement for physical exercise. The deeper realms of fitness lie in calming and balancing the nervous system, focusing the mind and letting our emotions flow. Many medical studies show that meditation lowers high blood pressure, stress produced tension and more focus. We can learn to combine the greater elements of awareness, applying sensitivity, relaxation, meditation and body wisdom to work smarter not harder.
Fuel: A fuel is needed to make the bio-vehicle go. The best fuel is bio available food your body can actually assimilate. The protein myth has people consuming improper sources of protein that have a negative impact on your health. I consume a warrior diet, adding the ancient superfood that roman gladiators and foot soldiers used to boost performance and endurance; raw, activated barley. Gladiator means "men who eat barley". What you fuel your cells with will determine your longevity and healthy function of internal systems. The ability to properly remove waste products, toxins and bacteria is essential for optimal results but impossible to gain on a standard Amerikan Diet.