The Physical, The Spiritual

Over the past twenty years, dumbbells have been a wonderful tool that have enabled me to help many beautiful people while leading group exercise classes or conducting one-on-one personal training. It has been a joy to take someone from a place of not feeling good about their physical appearance and stamina to having reduced body fat, more strength, and improved cardiovascular conditioning. While working with the physical aspect of an individual has been very gratifying, I have always had a deep desire for the understanding of all of who we are. What I have found is that we are so much more than our physical bodies. We are wonderful beings of Light who are here for a specific purpose. We are spiritual beings inhabiting our physical bodies.

Just as you know how important it is to keep your automobile finely tuned and maintained to get you where you want to go, so it is with your physical body. Your body needs nourishing foods and regular exercise to function properly to get you where you want to go. The very same can be said about the spiritual aspect of ourselves. If you want to travel your life with more joy and a feeling of purpose and meaning, your spiritual nature must be nourished and properly exercised as well.

The American College of Sports Medicine states that to be physically fit one must generally do a minimum of thirty minutes aerobic activity three times a week and a minimum of two days of strength training. Although we all hate the word ‘discipline’, it does take a certain amount of concerted effort to get fit and stay fit. It is not a once a week occurrence nor is it about getting in shape over a six month period and then you are finished. Physical fitness is a lifestyle - an ongoing commitment. Spirituality is the same. It too takes a certain amount of concerted effort or discipline. It does not happen with just an occasional meditation or a workshop from time to time. Spirituality is a lifestyle – an ongoing commitment.

The by-products of regular physical exercise and proper nutrition are well worth the effort put forth. You will have improved cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility and improved body composition. Not to mention a raised level of self-esteem and more energy. We all know this but why are so many people unfit?

One of the most common reasons people do not adhere to an exercise program is they over-do it in the beginning. Many will go from total sedentary lifestyles to exercising beyond their capacity. They either injure themselves or become so sore they can hardly function the next day. Who is going to adhere to that? You have a better chance of exercise adherence if you start gradually, within your capacity, and then progress. Another common reason for dropout is many will chose an exercise program that they hate such as running. Sure running burns a tremendous amount of calories but are you going to do it long term if you hate it? Find the exercise that you enjoy! Whether it is hiking, cycling, tennis, swimming, or aerobic dance, do something you like. When you experience the benefits of regular exercise, it will inspire you to continue and to do more!

Numerous scientific studies have proven the benefits of regular spiritual practices such as meditation. Self-awareness, creativity, love of self and others, feelings of vitality and rejuvenation, a sense of purpose, and personal growth are just a few. An article in the April 2000 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association named meditation as one of several behavioral distressors in recovering from mental or physical diseases. Another study at the National Institute of Health says that regular involvement in spiritual activities contribute to a longer life. Most of us are aware of this as well but are hesitant to practice. Why is this? I know from my own attempts and failures in the past, I over-did it in the beginning and practiced a form of spiritual practice I didn’t enjoy just as many do with their physical exercise! I began by sitting in a lotus position for up to an hour attempting to quite my mind with the end result being frustrated and defeated not enlightened and serene! As with physical exercise, you need to begin a spiritual practice at the level that is comfortable for you and progress from there. Begin with ten to fifteens minutes daily of quite reflection either listening to spiritual music, reading from a spiritual source that resonates with you, or perhaps journaling. Find the spiritual exercise that you enjoy! As with physical exercise, when you experience the benefits of spiritual practice, it will inspire you to continue and to do more!

Balance is the key to a happy life. When one area in your life is not getting enough attention, manifestation of the imbalance can occur. When regular exercise is avoided, you may find yourself with unhealthy conditions either in excessive body fat, weakness, lack of flexibility or low energy. When your spiritual nature is not nourished and strengthened, it can manifest in lack of joy, harmony and love. Your life will not have a rich sense of purpose and meaning. At some point you will question, “Is this all there is?”

We are more than our physical bodies. We are wonderful beings of Light who are here for a specific purpose. We are spiritual beings inhabiting our physical bodies. Regular exercise and proper nutrition will allow our physical bodies to carry our spirits through our journey on Planet Earth. Consistent spiritual practices will bring joy and love and a life of rich purpose and meaning. Planet Earth is a big playground to create and have many beautiful life experiences. We chose to be here. By making conscious choices to be balanced in all aspects of our self, our experiences are unlimited!