No Pun Intended
Posted: May 21, 2013 Filed under: Random Workout | Tags: blogging, crossfit, exercise, free range, freshly pressed, gluten free, happiness, health, hipster, hope, kettlebell, kindness, life, love, lululemon, lust, marathon, meditation, motivation, musings, natural, nebraska, Omaha, paleo, passion, pilates, running, trail running, Walk, walking, whole foods, WOD, yoga, Yoga Rocks the Park 16 CommentsYou may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us. And the world will live as one-
I often feel like I’m cycling into a 40 knot headwind when it comes to writing about mindfulness, wellness and other stuff here on this blog-o-thing. From the yoga fashionistas who regard me incredulously when I say that “looking good” is a selfish goal to set in yoga class, to the pervasive but iniquitous message that we all just need to participate in more mud runs, be more extreme, elite, hardcore in order to live a healthier life, my increasingly strong belief that we are going about this all wrong is not a popular one to say the very least.
Every now and then I meet up with some kindred spirits during a walk or brisk bike ride, who confirm what we see every day, but choose to ignore: Despite being a society hopelessly obsessed with health, longevity, exercise and taking pictures of food, we are in fact unhealthy, unhappy and bereft of many of the simple joys of life as a direct result of our obsessions.
How about we abandon the idea of exercise as a virtuous counterbalance, absolve ourselves of the guilt that inevitably accompanies unfulfilled resolutions, tune out the constant exhortations to “get ripped”, lose weight and instead embrace the simple pleasure of putting one foot in front of the other, simply because we were born with the ability to do so and we too often don’t.
Let’s cut right to the heart of what’s wrong with our attitudes in regards to mindfulness and wellness. Despite the thousands we spend on failed gym memberships, seldom used exercise equipment and wearing the latest fashions to yoga class. We are tormented by self-loathing, guilt and doubt. We live in a world where our motivation to move is increasingly thwarted and sapped at every turn. The next time you stare out the gym window—you know the one, where everyone around you is trotting along on a dreadmill despite the fact that the sun is shining and it’s a beautiful day outside? Ask yourself: Why is going for a run, a bike ride or walk outside such an absurd idea?
Notes
Look to a simpler place for your satisfaction this morning. Hint: It’s not in the latest edition of Shape or the ever so popular Yoga Journal. What you find may surprise you …
If you see some random dude(s) doing a spot of yoga in a park this weekend? Wave hello and join us!
CultFit 
Balance and Focus, Shtira and Drishti, Inner and Outer, Purpose and Ease. Lately I am finding these principle couples arising over and over. Trying to pay attention to see how that works for me. Thanks for your post.
No worries and thank you for taking the time to read my snarky post today. Hidden deep inside the message today is the notion of freeing ourselves from everything that is material and finding salvation, you get this. 🙂
Be inspired today and please take care!
I love this! I’m a personal trainer and yoga teacher and I know this is very ‘yoga’ of me to say,but it’s all about intention. My intention for becoming these 2 professions was NOT to make people “ripped”, it was to teach people that it’s really about waking up every day and feeling grateful for what their bodies are capable of. That’s really what it’s all about. Appreciation of life and the bodies we’re living in.
Its not very “yoga” of you to say so, its the authentic real you! Sadly, your passion and intention in this maddening society are rare, but you know what? It only takes one beautiful, caring and passionate spirit to make a change and good on you for doing so! 🙂
You’re so right! Thanks so much! 🙂
LOVE this post!!!! Tell em Cultfit!
HA! I think I drink a little too much coffee this morning. I hope all is well with you and your family, take care today!
Thank you!
Ironically – yesterday, I was all about confessing to people that I didn’t do yoga when it hit me…I did do yoga, but not the kind people would think was beneficial because it wasn’t the type that makes a body sweat or gets someone ‘ripped’.
Yesterday, I did Yoga Nidra, with my little one. Upon this realization, my jaw dropped open. I took a long, good look inside and asked myself, “How was it that I (and by that I mean the big “I”) who writes about changing themselves, the benefits of ALL yoga, and talks about looking inside for the truth, was now measuring the level of yoga that I did against other peoples perception of what yoga is?” and I made a point to look into the mirror and say to myself, “All yoga is beneficial for living a yogic lifestyle.” I smiled, vowed to not let other people’s perceptions mix with my own and moved on.
Yoga Nidra made me feel amazing, and uncomfortable at some points, and no, it didn’t sculpt my abs or work my thighs. Instead, it made me present and focused. At times unconscious (thank you, yogic sleep) but altogether I was doing what I loved and what I’m committed to. I agree that oftentimes as a trainer, I get so caught up in what other people believe is the ‘goal’ of health and fitness – when we could be living health and fitness minus all the garbage being sold to us.
Well said in your blog today!
Namaste
Well said is up for debate … 😉 I am so glad you liked this post and that it made you pause to reflect. Telling people what to do is woefully self serving, part of my intention here is to bring up ideas, thoughts and introduce them back into the public discussion. Thank you so much for reading and joining in! i appreciate your feedback and support, take care today and please be well. 🙂
My best yoga experience was back in the day when yoga was considered something subversive. A book by Jesse Stearn left behind by a roommate many years ago introduced me to this wonderful and powerful practice. I still go to it for solo practice when the foxy supports & paraphernalia of the studio are too much.
I am totally looking this book up! Thank you. 🙂
Titled “Yoga, Youth and Reincarnation” – great appendix & photographs for poses.
Thank you so much!!!
Lovely. I agree with you — why drive your SUV to the gym so you can jog a mile on the treadmill, when you could just jog there.
Back in the day, when I was younger and had more energy … I would do this! Bike or jog to the local YMCA, work out and depending how much energy I had left? Walk or run home. 🙂