Redefining Fitness: body, mind, and spirit

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The word fitness has so much “attachment” to it, doesn’t it? When we think of Fitness, it is possible that a spandex-clad, spritely human might bound into your frame of reference… but is that what “fitness” means? I invite you to entertain this idea with me….

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Many of the conversations I have with instructors and students is around the nature of what we are doing when we step into a yoga class. For those who have not yet found the intimate conquest of a yoga practice, you might recognize the nature of the “challenge, victory, repeat” cycle of action. If you are competitive at all, you might well know the predisposition to run full force from one objective to the next. And of course, we do so objectively… with have tools! Our tools of measurement that you use to calibrate your own self-worth, either consciously or unconsciously. We are measuring ourselves using some method of organization.

We all do it: reps, calories, bites, episodes, beers, dollars, hours, pounds, assets. We measure our self-worth by some external piece of information- an inherent data point of our self-possession. It is therefore (English teacher cringe) essentially numbers that provide the magnifying glass to how we look at and appraise our own existence.

And all of us have quite a few “inherent data points” and these will shift in different context and with different audiences as values may shift and shuffle to fit the need. For instance, as an English Teacher, the number of grades in my gradebook (and those meaningfully graded as “assessments”) are one measure of my “professional fitness.” These spreadsheets are indicators of my ability to teach and assess a skill or lesson. Of course I always explore the metrics for the yoga center in order to identify it’s strengths (and weaknesses) by looking at attendance and membership. Perhaps, the number of compliments my daughter receives sometimes serves as my metric for parenting in the absence of negative feedback from her teachers?

And every day, I strive to improve my chosen metrics.

Count yourself lucky if you knew where I was going. Like me, you probably forget from time to time that we are not required to measure ourselves this way. It is normal for humans to count, assess, and compare.

But what if we shifted the perspective….

I am seeking fitness. Not just a physical fitness, but the kind that lends itself to the living of my life that brings me joy and keeps me in service to my fellow humans.

So how can we define whole-life fitness? With is the metric to measure a life that is fit and healthy? For me, a fit and healthy body is one that is mobile, agile, and cognitively clear. A fit and healthy mind is one that can oscillate along the tides of change without becoming unhinged (disassociated) or toxically connected while maintaining a balance of good/bad or positive/negative thoughts. A fit and healthy spirit is one that is not plagued by thoughts that come unbidden and one who comes to their duties with an open, joyful heart.

Although immensely difficult to measure, the level of fitness of a whole-person is, by it’s nature, subjectively reported… (“Yelllllow, anyone else in there with you?). Subjectively reported data is difficult to verify, so instead, we must administer our own assessment of our whole-body fitness.

So as a good educator (one who by definition “draws you out”),  I will you ask you the questions that you may not want to ask yourself:

1.        What are the things that bring you joy?

2.        Is there enough of that in your life? A healthy amount? An over-indulgence?

3.        What are the barriers that keep you from enjoying these important things in your life?

And most importantly,

4.        Are any of these barriers within your control?

So I ask you, what is that that brings you joy? If getting on the ground with your grandkids or being able to climb up with your toddler into the play place is what you want because it would fulfill on your deeper values of family or parenting, how is that going for you? Maybe you just want to feel that feeling of revelry as you climb on a paddleboard or hoist yourself on a wall to watch a spectacle with grace instead of self-consciousness? Are you finding that your physical body is limiting in your fulfillment of the joys of your life? Would a stronger, more capable body build a better enjoyment of your joyful moments?

Perhaps you don’t feel physical limitations, but you feel the tight squeeze of the wallet as you feel hobbled by your financial goals or limitations? Do you wish that you could feel that levity of spirit that we get when we check our bank accounts and not feel the incessant pull of money out or money in? Do you struggle with that the urge to spend (or save) money? How can you spend time in such a meaningful way as to be an investment to your goals and life objectives? Would having a space that is pre-paid assist in your time-usage and money spending?

Possibly you find that you are missing much of life because you are paralyzed (or overstimulated) by emotions that run circles in your brain? Do you replay conversations, re-read text threads, scroll endlessly on Facebook because you’re just not sure how to stop? Would it be in your best interest to step away from those exhausting brain patterns and create ones that create feelings of joy and strength in your body.

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There is no way to measure the fitness of your whole self. But I promise you that the practice of getting into your body is like medicine for your body, mind, and your spirit. It brings a whole-body awareness that will spurn challenge, victory, repeat cycle over and over again, as you get better acquainted with self-regulation and physical strength.

And as I tell my students, every action towards our self-improvement will have a positive ripple effect in our lives and with the people we connect to. When we come to yoga, we build healthy body, minds, and spirits with our community.

Because when your body, mind, and spirit are in good health, you can be fully present for all these joyful moments.

Our challenge for our members this month is this: how do you want to improve your body, mind, or spirit this month? What powers your drive for improvement, and how can we help you get there?

Because for me, helping people find that inner peace and sense of connection with themselves is how I make sense of this big, crazy world. If people connect and make decisions from what powers them up, the world will be a better place,

One breath at a time.

Welcome to your July month of challenge. Whether we see you on your mat in the studio, the park, the woods, the brewery or the beach, we are in this process of self-improvement together.

Satsang; a group of people who come together for spiritual development.

Happy to hold space in this community with you.

Me, bringing some spirit into our Paddleboard Adventure on 7/1

Emilee