Today I had an early morning space when a client cancelled at the ‘gold’ time of 6.30am – 7.30am. ‘Gold’ time for a personal training business is early mornings before people go to work so for me to have a window for me at this hour of the day is very rare.
I took this opportunity to take myself off for a walk with me, even leaving my dog behind, knowing I could take her for a walk later. I live on east coast of Sydney and I could feel the joy in my body at the prospect of this beautiful space to be with me. It was a spectacular spring morning – the sun shining in the cloudless blue sky – was divine.
It didn’t take long to feel the intensity of life as many people were out and about at this time. Most people were out doing their exercise, either walking, running swimming or taking the dog for its walk. It felt crowded yet there was also much space available. My walk was such a joy to be, to spend time with my body, in nature and space to be open to feel what was needed for my day.
As gorgeous as it was at times there were many moments when I could feel the abuse that came from the runner who brushed past, hit my shoulder and then shook his head with annoyance, felt the disturbance by the heaviness of the foot steps stomping on the ground, the distress of the people who were really gasping for breaths, the ignoring of the beauty of nature around everyone and oh those drama filled conversations. It was interesting to observe these and in the past they would have triggered and upset me yet today I didn’t get caught in them by choosing to stay with my body and me.
It didn’t take long to feel the intensity of life as many people were out and about at this time. Most people were out doing their exercise, either walking, running swimming or taking the dog for its walk. It felt crowded yet there was also much space available. My walk was such a joy to be, to spend time with my body, in nature and space to be open to feel what was needed for my day.
As gorgeous as it was at times there were many moments when I could feel the abuse that came from the runner who brushed past, hit my shoulder and then shook his head with annoyance, felt the disturbance by the heaviness of the foot steps stomping on the ground, the distress of the people who were really gasping for breaths, the ignoring of the beauty of nature around everyone and oh those drama filled conversations. It was interesting to observe these and in the past they would have triggered and upset me yet today I didn’t get caught in them by choosing to stay with my body and me.
As I observed life around me, I was surprised by the amount of people who weren’t really connected with their bodies. I could feel that most people were in the momentum and behaviours of their life and seemingly allowing these to take their bodies for a ride, like a plastic bag drifting in the wind.
Why is this and why wouldn’t we rather feel the exquisiteness and simplicity of life and the body?
This may be difficult to hear especially as many are exercising like this because we think this is how we should do it, this is what we are told is good for us, this is our current understanding of ‘taking care of ourselves” – we put on our active wear and go exercise.
As you know I too have been this person. In the past when I’ve had bad days I’ve thought I just needed ‘to run the stress or upset out’, or that a run would cheer me up. Probably at times I’ve been the impatient person running behind someone who was walking and simply enjoying the scenery.
But does this way of exercising and being really support our long term health and wellbeing? And is this way of ‘taking care of ourselves’ actually impacting others around us?
Why is this and why wouldn’t we rather feel the exquisiteness and simplicity of life and the body?
This may be difficult to hear especially as many are exercising like this because we think this is how we should do it, this is what we are told is good for us, this is our current understanding of ‘taking care of ourselves” – we put on our active wear and go exercise.
As you know I too have been this person. In the past when I’ve had bad days I’ve thought I just needed ‘to run the stress or upset out’, or that a run would cheer me up. Probably at times I’ve been the impatient person running behind someone who was walking and simply enjoying the scenery.
But does this way of exercising and being really support our long term health and wellbeing? And is this way of ‘taking care of ourselves’ actually impacting others around us?
From my experience I know this way of exercising is NOT the answer. From my understanding of the body in movement this is definitely not the way forward with our health and care for each other. Exercise is a beautiful way to reconnect, heal and deepen your relationship with yourself and in a way that doesn’t impose on another.
The way we are currently doing our “morning exercise” can be used as a way to close off from each other, in our movements, our expression and hide into our distractions.
How are you with people when you are out walking? Are you open and engaging or closed off, insular and distracted?
What are distractions? These are behaviours that we do to avoid connecting to ourselves and feeling our bodies. Examples of distracting activities and behaviors:
One of my other observations – I’ve seen people running and out powerwalking for many years and no one’s body is changing! How many people do you know that are regular exercisers who want to get fit or lose weight and their body doesn’t change, yet they continue to pound the streets trying?
So why are we continuing to do the same thing over and over again without any changes? Two of my old personal training expressions are –
“if nothing changes, nothing changes.”
“Doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different outcome” –
a commonly held definition of insanity.
So, I’m fascinated why are we doing the same? When will we stop and say ‘hang on a minute this isn’t working? Enough, ‘lets try something different?’
If you feel its time for you to try a different approach and you are open to play with this for a week or so, read on . . .
The way we are currently doing our “morning exercise” can be used as a way to close off from each other, in our movements, our expression and hide into our distractions.
How are you with people when you are out walking? Are you open and engaging or closed off, insular and distracted?
What are distractions? These are behaviours that we do to avoid connecting to ourselves and feeling our bodies. Examples of distracting activities and behaviors:
- Listening to music with earphones on
- Music on speakers
- Taking phone calls
- Eating breakfast along the way
- Taking your dog when you really need some time just for you
- Drama and animated conversations
- Taking a coffee on your walk
- Taking work/relationship issues with you
One of my other observations – I’ve seen people running and out powerwalking for many years and no one’s body is changing! How many people do you know that are regular exercisers who want to get fit or lose weight and their body doesn’t change, yet they continue to pound the streets trying?
So why are we continuing to do the same thing over and over again without any changes? Two of my old personal training expressions are –
“if nothing changes, nothing changes.”
“Doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different outcome” –
a commonly held definition of insanity.
So, I’m fascinated why are we doing the same? When will we stop and say ‘hang on a minute this isn’t working? Enough, ‘lets try something different?’
If you feel its time for you to try a different approach and you are open to play with this for a week or so, read on . . .
Firstly a piece of Bevness
As many of you know by now, I’ve been an active chick all my life. Due to being a personal trainer for close to 30 years I’ve had to learn how to adjust exercise and movements to support my body with the physical aspect of my life. It started 20 years ago and has constantly changed and will continue to evolve. This is what its about, not getting stuck, not feeling one thing works when there are in fact so many ways to love and support your body through exercise. I’m sharing this as I haven’t gone from the equivalent of running a marathon everyday as a personal trainer to the way I am with exercise now in a few days or weeks.
Where ever you are with exercise is a wonderful place to begin. Take your time to feel your way – remembering to climb a mountain takes many small steps not one big jump .
So. . .
What if we deleted ‘exercise’ from our vocabulary for a while? What if we replaced it with ‘morning walk to be with me’ or ‘my time to be me’ or something that inspires you to spend time with you.
Try these for a week or so and see how you go:
Then to help with your accountability let me know how you went on in the comments box of this blog.
I will be here to support any questions, queries or celebrations.
Questions that may help you:
For one on one sessions contact Bev.
Where ever you are with exercise is a wonderful place to begin. Take your time to feel your way – remembering to climb a mountain takes many small steps not one big jump .
So. . .
What if we deleted ‘exercise’ from our vocabulary for a while? What if we replaced it with ‘morning walk to be with me’ or ‘my time to be me’ or something that inspires you to spend time with you.
Try these for a week or so and see how you go:
- Be open to change/alter your ‘routine’
- Be prepared to not go as far
- Don’t take any phones or music devices
- Wear clothes that are comfortable and show your expression
- Meet people with your heart and say ‘hello’
- Be prepared to meet people
- Allow nature to reflect your beauty back to you
- Have no time frames – even 5 minutes is enough
- Try allowing your footstep to be loving for the earth
- Be open to feel
- For those that aren't exercising regularly you have a beautiful opportunity to start afresh
Then to help with your accountability let me know how you went on in the comments box of this blog.
I will be here to support any questions, queries or celebrations.
Questions that may help you:
- What did you notice about your body?
- Did your relationship with your body change slightly?
- How was it to connect to others?
- What was the biggest thing you noticed about this week
- What can you appreciate about you?
- What will you carry forward to next week?
For one on one sessions contact Bev.
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