I hated (still do) gyms. I don’t enjoy large groups of people, noise, loud TV’s blaring or lookie-loos. Call me weird, private, cloistered…whatever. I have my right to like or not like. You’re just not getting me in a smelly-old, sweaty gym with strangers and attitude. But how do you stay fit and healthy if not in a gym? I went on a mission 20 years ago to find exercise that didn’t involve the dynamic of a gym. I studied exercise and tried milder forms like dancing, Aikido, Tai Chi, Yoga and Qigong.
What I have discovered is that unless you want to look like a runner-up for Mr. or Ms. Olympia, and you are focused on keeping fit for your heart and body health, then the forms of Tai Chi, Yoga, Qigong or walking will do the trick. You don’t have to spend hours jumping up and down for cardio health. Just raise the heart rate through mild exercises 5 times a week for 12 minutes, plus a warm up and cool-down and you will keep your heart functioning and strong. Engage in Tai Chi or Qigong three to four times a week to keep your balance aligned, muscles toned, and your body flexible.
Aikido is a slightly more aggressive marshal art than Tai Chi, but it is based in peace, cooperation and you work up into strength, balance, grace and concentration at your own skill level and pace.
Walking at a clip is great for the heart and the body. Add some weights while you walk to strengthen your arms and core…or take a rescue pup for a walk and both of you smell the roses on the path. Dancing is another way to work the body and create muscle tone, coordination and balance.
Tai Chi has the physical benefits of strengthening the core while calming the nervous system and developing balance, coordination, rhythm and connection to the cosmos. Yoga offers many techniques and styles. You can experiment with several approaches to find the one that suits you best. You can work in a “hot” studio, or normal temperature. Ask about their methods beforehand.
All of these suggestions benefit the body for longevity, strength, balance, energy stimulation and connect us to the visible and the invisible worlds. They save the chaos and intensity of the pounding beat of most gyms and allow us to go within as we work the outside. The physical plus spiritual benefits of these exercise techniques are cumulative and measurable. I benefitted from Qigong so much, that I became an instructor and now share my practice with my local community.Qigong translates to: working the energy. This means on all levels: body, mind and soul
