Exercise

Why exercise? Who needs exercise? Exercise, as I present it here, is the employment of physical movement with the specific intent to condition the physical and mental body. In today’s world, it is helpful to elevate the body’s physiological and structural integrity in order for the body to function at or above basic performance and at a level where the typical stressors are easily dealt with.

The advancement of the mechanized world has shifted focus from physical activity to the convenience and efficiency of computers, television, video games, internet, automobiles, etc. This shift into the use of automation in all fields has created a plethora of new trends and cultural behaviors that have become accepted as unilateral improvements. These improvements have theoretically raised the quality of life, but the trend has created less and less demand for the use of the physical body and its’ intended fundamental design for movement. Work and it’s achievements have become the goal and focus in the lives of the majority of individuals in this society. The lack of daily use of the physical body will cause a deleterious effect on all aspects of the body’s function.

We need to keep in mind that we live on mother earth, she is our hostess, and being here implies that we can manage and handle living with its gravity. Gravity is not to be taken lightly! The pull of it is a major restraining force that effects and shapes our body. Gravity keeps us attached at ground level, causing certain stressors on the entire complexity of the body systems. We are adapted to living here with this condition, and therefore we need to understand the significance of the effect on our bodies. In a way, being and living on earth is the greatest restriction to our lives. It limits us on all levels of our being—we become dependent on gravity entirely for all basic functions. In regard to exercise, gravity pulls down the body’s outer layers, and can damage the unsuspecting fascia and skin. It’s important to keep ourselves active, using and exercising all the muscles in the body without exception, with the gravity effect in mind. One can practice inversion, headstands, etc. to counter the effects of gravity. It can make the difference in looks and well-being.

The shift toward less physical activity is a pivotal event that will likely continue to influence future human development. More people
seem to accept the limitations of their own bodily condition as a “fait accompli”, often advancing their mental and spiritual development as a device to escape their failure to deal with issues related to limited physical capability. In knowing that the body is deteriorating, individuals tend to feel safer when they engage in and focus solely on advancing their mental and spiritual development. They dismiss the need to sacrifice any of their maladaptive habits or addictions that may take them out of comfortable patterns based on their beliefs. They simply allow their bodies to lose merit, so to speak, and sacrifice their bodies’ intrinsic viability as a functional object. When the body starts deteriorating and losing its own system’s credibility, a shut-down of essential functions occurs, and this shut-down hastens the death process, or the aging process as it is called by Western culture. Society tolerates this view of life and portrays it in our external reality as a normal form of living and being—the body naturally deteriorates and accumulates dysfunction.

The conscious act of movement and exercise can bring the physical body back to its proper condition and functionality. Movement takes shape with many different types and methods. All forms of movement are considered exercise, regardless of the type or method used. All people living in a modern society need to exercise on a daily basis. It is important to keep the body in good shape, and this offers a great deal of direct and indirect benefit.

Exercise will result in better:
• vitality • self-appreciation
• mobility—free movement • self-love
• body conditioning • intimacy (all types)
• body toning • physical health
• personal satisfaction • body-mind unity
• openness • oxygenation
• self-acknowledgment • joy

All types of exercise are useful and encouraged. Use your common sense and gauge your progress by what your body is telling you about its capacity. When exercising, always take the long route so that the changes will be permanent. There is no need to hurry—you have all the time you need for achieving your goals. Become focused and persistent, and this will bring you the results you wish. Procrastination is not an acceptable option. Doing the smallest bit is better than nothing.
And as you move along the path of your process, tending to the well-being of your body will stimulate other accomplishments along the way. A good-looking and feeling body brings satisfaction to the soul and spirit. The world responds to you more favorably, and human interaction is facilitated. A healthy body is a beautiful place for a happy mind and spirit.

Your mind’s awareness of and attention to the physical body’s ability and dynamic need to function at the best possible efficiency is an important marker in the process of living as physically immortal.
To capture that awareness is an important step in and of itself. Observation of your physical essence and viewing it as an isolated element helps direct and keep your focus on your life’s purpose.