Physical Exercises To Supplement Spiritual Health

[themadness]

I agree with you Ghost. I think one reason we're overweight is that, for the most part, Americans don't have physically demanding jobs and don't eat correctly.

But we often overlook the physical aspect because we place other things above it on our priority lists... Spiritual development, a nice car, a nice house, family, and so on. If we want to change that I think we need to talk about how a strong physical self is conducive to spiritual and mental development. Most people would agree that wasting your mind on excessive drugs or television isn't helpful to spiritual development. You just have to explain that wasting your body on idleness and junk food is exactly the same thing.

[GhostRider]

quote:Originally posted by themadness

I agree with you Ghost. I think one reason we're overweight is that, for the most part, Americans don't have physically demanding jobs and don't eat correctly.

But we often overlook the physical aspect because we place other things above it on our priority lists... Spiritual development, a nice car, a nice house, family, and so on. If we want to change that I think we need to talk about how a strong physical self is conducive to spiritual and mental development. Most people would agree that wasting your mind on excessive drugs or television isn't helpful to spiritual development. You just have to explain that wasting your body on idleness and junk food is exactly the same thing.

Glad to see some response to this post of mine and I agree with you, that society doesn't make it VERY easy at all to get into descent physical shape.  But that doesn't mean it can't be done and if one is to succeed spiritually, then one should (while you are in this incarnation and this body anyways...) treat it like a temple.  I'm not suggesting you go out with the intent of looking as built as the next Arnold or the next Zena warrior princess (although a strong woman always turned me on...[][] LOL! )
But some yoga, pilates, oxycise or Charles Atlas never hurt anyone, besides, wouldn't you want to learn as many things in this life as you could before getting on to the next?  And since you can't live forever, and they don't have a "rejuvenator pill" handy, the next best thing to that is physical exercise and fresh air.

I'm not trying to pick on anyone here, I'm not trying to go out of my way to point out flaws, but it is a serious issue (even if you don't think it is...[}:)] ) And I was only attempting to throw this out for folks to start thinking about.

[GhostRider]

P.R.T. Routine
Do this once or twice a day, it's effects on relieving stress are cumulative
This is simple to learn {1-2 tries and you got it}, quick to do {15 minutes, no more} and it WORKS wonders on built up stress and anxiety that accumulates during your day, thus allowing you to handle stress and unforseen events with a calmer, cooler head.

Right hand and forearm
make a fist
release

Right upper arm
bend the arm and "show off your muscles"
release

Left hand and forearm
make a fist
release

Left upper arm
bend the arm and tighten the muscles
release

Forehead
raise your eyebrows
relax your face

Eyes and cheeks
squeeze the eyes
relax

Mouth and jaw
clench your teeth and pull the corners of the mouth back
relax

Shoulder and neck
a little pre-training first: lock your hands behind the neck and push back the head against this resistance (the head does not alter its position) - got the idea? That's how this should feel:
pull up your shoulders and press your head back against their resistance (horizontally - not like when you look up)
let your shoulders hang, relax

Chest and back
breathe in deeply and hold your breath pressing the shoulders together at the back at the same time
let your shoulders hang, breathe normally

Belly
tighten the abdominal muscles (or draw in the belly)
release

Right hand thigh
shovel the right foot forward against resistance (while it keeps its position)
release

Right hand calf
lift up the right heel (be careful not to cramp)
release

Right foot
crook the toes
release

Left hand thigh
shovel your left food forward
relax

Left hand calf
lift up the left heel
release

Left foot
crook the toes
okay: done

[WalkerInTheWoods]

I agree, physical health is important. The physical body may be temporary compared to the spiritual body(ies), but a healthy physical body will allow you a much more pleasant and enjoyable experience while you are on the physical. A healthy body will also aid the spiritual by making you feel better, relieveing stress, allowing you to better concentrate, and more. If the phsyical body was not important then we would not have one.

Just doing some light exercises for 30 minutes every other day will give you a big improvement over doing nothing.

[Nagual]

I like TaiChi because it's physical/energetical/cardio exercises...  Of course, I am talking about "real" TaiChi, the martial art; not the "tofu"-style versions modified for grandpa and grandma...  I can tell you that people sweat a lot in my school!  []

[jason]

hey[]...

for me, such physical activity as walking and hiking,are a vital aspect of my lifestyle.I walk every single day,and I don't own a vehicle,so I kinda HAVE to walk everywhere[]! I find that it has positive impact on the mind as well.I know that if I don't get out of the house EVERY SINGLE DAY,for most of the day,I start to feel kinda snakey.

I also practice basic yoga,w/the intention of combining it w/some form of martial art.I want to get stronger,faster and more flexible as I get older-not weaker,slower,more 'rotund' and stiff,as many people do.

and I don't mind saying that w/the relative 'frajility' of my mental health,I can't AFFORD to let my body go.and I'm hoping that one will help reinforce the other (mind/body).

[GhostRider]

As soon as my leg heals up it is back to Kung Fu San Soo for me.  

 Jason, great attitude to have, and you CAN become more flexible, stronger, have greater mobility and gain it slowly and steadily as you age to a certain extent.  In fact, p.m. me your email address if you want and I'll email you a package of free, whole body exercises that would compliment your yoga.

Nagual, I've seen some damn good Tai Chi fighters over the years, you are SO very right, it's not just for Grandpa and Grandma, it was originally intented to be an "all-around" martial art.  One that helped with your spiritual health, be a great from of exercise to help you stay strong and limber and still be able to handle someone or someone(s) coming at you with weapons, grapplers, boxers, etc... kind of what the "mixed" martial artist is seeking nowadays was already accomplished in Tai Chi, unfortunately, there isn't near enough qualified Tai Chi (Tai Chi as a martial art) teachers out there in the west.

[Nick]

This is a nice thread GhostRider. Exercise is very important, I agree. Although I've been of the tall slender type, as I've gotten older (now 54) I realize that 'working out' is even more important. It's a nice balance to the other things we do too.

Funny you should mention 'Arnold'. By next week he may very well be our new Governor here in California. []



Very best,

[GhostRider]

[}:)] Ha ha ha!  Arnold, hmmm... I'm am one of his biggest fans.  As an actor and personality he's great, as someone who overcame his defeciencies a succeeded, a great inspiration, but as Governor...?[?]  I don't know, I'll say a prayer for you guys to all the powers that be that you get the best governor you deserve, and I do mean a good one.[]

[Nagual]

quote:unfortunately, there isn't near enough qualified Tai Chi (Tai Chi as a martial art) teachers out there in the west.

A little promotion here...  []
If you live in Boston, I would recommend http://www.gstaichi.org/.  Check some of their articles and their lineage.  They also list a few other affiliated schools.

Enjoy!

[wantsumrice]

haha im not outta shape []
you all should get into playing soccer. such a wonderful sport! and so much fun too! PLAY SOCCER lol..

~ivan

[Nick]

Follow up to my earlier post:

It's California Governor-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger. He promises to get all us lazy Californians into shape. []



Very best,

[GhostRider]

One reason I heard that soccer is outstripping hockey, baseball, football and basketball for growth among teenager's sports in junior and senior highschools in Canada (it may be the same here in the states, who knows?)

a.)- You don't need to (as a parent) spend hundreds or a few thousand on good (not even the greatest, just good) gear.

b.)- Rink, court, and other playing fees are non-existant to few and far between.

c.)- Being a Six-Foot/250lb. muscled and steroid filled freak of nature ain't a prerequisite.

d.)- You need some intelligence to play it.

That and since it's played by EVERYONE in the world, it's a great sport that can bring us all together.

Enough of that, the new Governor situation in California...?  I wish you the best of luck with Arnold, like I said, I'm a great fan, BUT... I don't know how well a politician he's going to be, that debate he was in scared me because of his obvious ignorance to the political situation in the state, nation-wide, and world-wide, that did scare me.  He' going to run the fifth largest economy in the world?  Oh...sheeeeiiitttee!  I only hope he runs the state as well as his successfull businesses.  I really do.

Anyone read the book "body-flow" by Scott Sonnon?  Good one on getting your overall body mobility back at any age.

[GhostRider]

Now, and this is disturbing to me[!] (hopefully it's just the folks I meet down here in the Southwest U.S.A.) but most of us spiritually high-minded folks and and seekers tend to be well...for a better word... EXTREMELY out of shape[:O] and VERY overweight[:O].  WHY IS THAT?   Does it have to be that way?  Yes, it would SEEM that with the advent of Yoga and Pilates, and exercise systems like Charles Atlas and Matt Furey, Total Gyms, etc... that we should be fielding a whole crop of fresh, energetic, dynamic, fit individuals who are taking spiritual development to new hights.  But someone forgot to tell most of us this in the Southwest and I do suspect it's the same elsewhere.  I'm more likely to come across a out-of-shape (one-more-heart-attack-and-I'm-a-goner) sort of people.  People who probably haven't tied their own shoes effortlessly in quite awhile... why does this have to be in this society of riches and opportunity for growth?



 I'm no exception to this issue and have begun to take steps to change that in myself.  

But wouldn't it make sense to have an equally well developed body to house a well developed soul in?  Wouldn't it make sense to free the body from it's limitations and increase your effectiveness in the spiritual realm?  I know most folks I come across tell me that it doesn't matter how healthy you are physically, (BUT if you LOOK out of shape, you ARE out of shape, no-one heard of a healthy fat man, believe me, I tried to tell myself that for a long time, doesn't wash at all... LOL!
[}:)] )

Think of it, if you're body is just basically a conductor for spiritual energy, physical energy etc... doesn't it stand to reason that the healthier you make your body the stronger you're spiritual presence will be?  I've been told that these two subjects are two different topics, but how can that be?  Until you physically seperate the two (we can't with much success or consistency yet, at least not very many of us can...) proper health in either the spiritual or physical realm of your being WILL effect things for better or for worse.  

I'm sure that folks in this community are more well-rounded in this subject than I and I was wondering what you're thoughts were on the subject...