EXERCISE
by Sarah Zitin
Once again, this is a no-brainer. We ALL are taught that exercise is a huge part of keeping the body/mind connection fit. As Gary Null, once again, says: “Any exercise should be initially supervised and recommended by a medical doctor to ensure that medical problems do not worsen with activity. Many people benefit from an exercise routine that burns 2000 calories a week. Three kinds of exercises therapeutic for the heart are lifting light weights, yoga and aerobics.” The reason for this is because they are low-impact and/or because they stimulate the heart, circulatory, lymphatic and digestive systems, and also promote healthy breathing which is essential to clearing the lungs and getting oxygen to the body.
Walking is also a benign but healthy form of exercise, especially for those of you who have back or other physical issues. Whether you walk fast or more slowly is an individual matter, and hopefully, you will recognize what is BEST for you by how you feel when you are doing it!
I know people who NEED high-impact exercise in order to burn fat and feel better. They are usually high-energy people who only feel good when they are working hard and sweating a lot! A kick-ass kind of approach is imperative for them, whereas someone else (like me), needs a more gentle and deliberate kind of exercise. I LOVE hiking, walking, running at a slower but steady pace, going to the gym (weights for toning and strength), water-skiing, horseback riding and playing with my three dogs. They give me PLENTY of exercise and I love to run with them and throw the frisbee.
My mother, for instance, only STOPPED playing tennis at the age of eighty-five. I know that she is the exception to the rule, at her age. My mother has always been a tiger energetically--- action, sports, activities, charities, teaching, laughing. And because of her zest for life, she has been able to continue on at a level of maximum benefit to herself and others.
The healthiest, most productive and joyful people I know get plenty of exercise and FEED their bodies with (stretching) movement! Let me mention, also, that DANCING is not only fun but some of the best exercise one can do. Music and dance are two of the true soulful aspects of our lives, and have the power to make us joyful and full of lightness. They open our hearts and give us a sense of the real dance, which is the dance of life!
What is better for aching muscles and bones than a good physical therapist or massage therapist? Having been a massage therapist for many years, I know first-hand that these modalities are a part of feeling good, relaxation, good digestion, circulation, lymphatic stimulation, cardio-health and all-around well being.
Exercise, in truth, feeds the body, heart and soul and without it, we would stagnate in every area. Exercise is to the body what food is to making us who and what we are. Again, education, research and information will let you know the BEST plan for you.