It's time to use your mind to transform your Body.
These days, getting into shape goes way beyond working up a sweat..
If the '80s were the era of full-on cardio fitness and pounding your way to a more svelte physique, the '90s developed the combat era, cardio kick, body combat and so on and the 00�s mentality represents a gentler approach towards getting in shape. Rather than focusing solely on the calorie-burning and aerobic benefits of a workout, we now look to exercise to fulfil our emotional as well as physical needs. Over the past few years more and more people have discovered the benefits of workouts that stimulate our emotions as well as our muscles, and it's estimated that mind/body fitness classes now occupy up to 50 per cent of some gym timetables all around the country.
Today, yoga, T'ai chi, Pilates and martial arts are the 'it' classes, and even Gin Miller, the American fitness guru who invented the step aerobics phenomenon in the 1980s, is no longer convinced that the trend she started is really the best way forward. 'Getting fit should not be just a battle against calories and fat but something you do that is mentally as well as physically beneficial,' says Miller. 'If you enjoy what you do, the results will be more rewarding and long lasting. In other words there's no point pursuing fitness just because you want to reduce the size of your butt.' Miller also suggests that adding a mental component to your physical workouts can help achieve quicker results and prevent burnout.
Participating in mind/body exercise will give your brain a break too. By focusing on the actual exercises and meditative qualities of these workouts, daily stresses are pushed to one side. You will find yourself feeling relaxed and calm not only during the class or session but also when you go back to your everyday duties.
'There is undoubtedly a close link between emotions and fitness and this is the basis on which many of the mind/body classes are formed,' Lynn Squire Teacher Trainer of cutting edge mind/ body fitness classes says 'There's no doubt exercise has a psychological and physical link.' I have been teaching for many years and have never encountered the type of real results being experienced by participants these classes.
Squire also says that mind/body classes can enhance the rest of our lives not just make the workout more tolerable. 'Feeling stressed and tense uses considerably more energy than being calm, so if you feel relatively relaxed you'll be able to put more effort into your every day activities. And if you enjoy your workout and think of it as a stress-relieving tool, you'll be able to work to your maximum capacity and get positive results,� The common theme is that you need to achieve an inner balance to get the desired outer one. To feel content with the way you look, you must be happy with the way you feel inside.
Editorial from Herald Express -December 03