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Mind / Body traditions offer a new set of approaches and environments that make common health practices of exercise and stress management irresistibly fun and very effective. Below are a list of a few mind / body opportunities awaiting you!
Nia – Neuromuscular Integrated Activity
One of the underlying foundations of exploring the body and self is with Nia – a form of free dance that feeds your mind and body’s appetite for discovery, expression and spontaneity. Nia blends martial arts, dance arts and healing arts into one self-expressive movement form. The practice has eight unique stages. When combined, these stages stimulate movement creativity, a sense of vitality renewal and self-healing. Nia uses pulsating music to stimulate the mind and body, but rather than staying on beat, Nia is about going with the flow and riding the waves of your own spontaneity. The feedback you receive from Nia, simply put, is “I am alive, healthy and well.”
The Practice of Pilates
Pilates, the method, is an exercise system focused on improving flexibility, strength, and body awareness. The method consists of controlled movements specially designed to strength the “core.” Movements performed in pilates are anaerobic in nature, they do not require extended periods of cardiovascular work. Pilates uses non-impact resistive exercises to train the musculature - although the heart rate will rise depending on the type of exercises used. The Core: The main two key elements of Pilates are core muscle strength and spinal alignment. The core musculature is loosely defined as the spine, abdomen, pelvis, hips, and the muscles that support these structures. With regular participation in pilates, you can heal your body’s muscular structure from the inside out. You’ll start to feel “lengthened” and visibly toned with a rejuvenated sense of well-being. It’s a wonderful alternative to traditional strength training routines.
The Art of Tai Chi
If you're looking for a way to reduce stress, consider tai chi (TIE-chee). Tai chi, also called tai chi chuan, is often described as "meditation in motion." It promotes serenity through gentle movements and is designed to cleanse the mind, body and spirit by releasing tension. Originally developed in ancient China for self-defense, tai chi has evolved into a graceful form of exercise now used for stress reduction and to help with a variety of health conditions. It is a noncompetitive, self-paced system of gentle physical exercise and stretching. To do tai chi, you perform a series of postures or movements in a slow and graceful manner. Each posture flows into the next without pause, ensuring that your body is in constant motion. There are thousands of variations of all styles and substance of Tai Chi, but one thing is certain. The health benefits of Tai Chi are Universal.
Yoga
Yoga is a very popular in the fitness world today but has been around for more than 3,000. There is a wide range of translations for the word yoga, but it is most widely accepted as Sanskrit (one of the ancient languages of the East). It means to "yoke," or unite, the mind, body, and spirit. Training your mind, body, and breath, as well as connecting with your spirituality, are the main goals of the yoga (yogi)lifestyle. The physical part yoga focuses on asanas, or postural poses. It continues with: breath control, concentration, meditation, a withdraw of the senses and finally, a self-realized state of physical well-being. The physical and mental benefits of yoga are tremendous! It can improve flexibility, strength, balance, and stamina, help with stress reduction, improved mental clarity, and better quality of sleep.
This article is provided as a service of REPS Personal Training and Fitness and IDEA, the leading international membership association in the health and fitness industry. For more information on health and fitness tips, please contact Susan Iverson, Certified Personal Trainer, Sports Nutrition and Weight Management Consultant, Co-Owner of REPS Personal Training and Fitness. www.RepsPersonalTraining.com
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