Kasantzakis (famous Greek writer and one of my beloved) was saying: “even the mussels that are stuck to the rock are moving from time to time!” And look at us now, in our modern, civilized lives. What is our connection to movement? How much you move daily and why? And what are the results of this situation.
Well someone could say that quite often, it looks like evolution took us out of our caves and put us into our tombs! Tired, often exhausted, stressed, and often despairing. In spite of all this we are simply adjust ourselves to whatever comes and we keep on going. Now of course you may ask what connection has all this to movement.
Well there is a big connection and let me explain why. Movement can be the safety valve that can relieve us from the pressure that is accumulating inside us because of our daily life. How come? Well I’ll answer you with an other question!
Stand in front of a mirror. What do you see? How would you describe yourself? I don’t mean that you should look like models (which are a fake invention anyway…). Not at all. But do you see living muscles? Do you see muscles that still have their tone? Is your body posture showing that you are a person that trusts itself? When you move do you do so confidently?
Our body is a tool. And like any other tool if we neglect it, will degenerate! And I already told you that body, mind and soul are tide connected! If the body degenerates, the rest will follow. And this is where movement comes into play. It will keep your body strong and relieve the inside pressure. And it will keep your self- esteem high. Not only will you like what you see in the mirror (this is the side effect any way!). It is through movement that your body produces different kind of hormones with multiple purposes. And through them you don’t only have the above mentioned results, but also the inner functions are greatly improved, with results that you all can imagine.
Now why do I separate movement and exercise? Well there is a simple reason for this. Although exercise contains movement, the opposite doesn’t always apply. And this is crucial for a lot of people. And I mean the kind of people that feel that they aren’t the sporty type. Not that they have any health reason for this, but just that exercise doesn’t appeal to them! They can take a long walk, they can play football or basketball for fun, and they can even climb a mountain with their friends. But they are not made to go to the gym or to the stadium and so on. They are not made to follow a program and certain rules. And they often force themselves to do it, because they have been told that it is good for them and they should…And I don’t need to mention the results.
On the other hand, we have the people that have the physique for exercise, and should do so (even if some of them think or they have been told that they don’t need to). That means they should go to a gym on certain days and follow a program, put on their shoes and go for a run, go swimming, to a sport centre or place where they can follow their chosen program. Again and again. Month after month, year after year. And even more, this type of person will often set themselves new fitness goals!
So we must realize that whilst movement is keeping our body alive, exercise is honing (sharpening) it! For a lot of people, this is not only a physical necessity in order to keep on going but also a way that help’s them to succeed what they are trying to achieve. Still you shouldn’t connect exercise with endless hours of sweating in the gyms and forget all about the destructive “no pain no gain”
Anybody can exercise effectively with the only presupposition that he -she knows what to do and how to do it. This is where I come in. First of all I will help you to understand and realize the importance of these two (moving, training). You see a lot of people are the way they are, because they don’t know, or if they know they never realized what they should or more importantly need to do!
So after all this, you can easily establish in which of the two categories you belong and adjust your life style according to it. Yes it is so simple! And more importantly, no matter what you like to do, weights, running, swimming, climbing, bicycling, boxing, walking, etc. there are a few simple instructions that you should know in order, not only to do succeed in whatever you do, but also not to harm yourself while doing it (something that is often happening!).
Movement and exercise are much more than a key to good health. Your body (including your mind of course) is the tool with which you can succeed in whatever you wish, want and expect from your life. And these two aren’t just keeping it alive. They also help you to use it in the best possible way!!