Why do we do this thing called “Exercise”?
WHY ON EARTH DO WE DO THIS THING CALLED EXERCISE?!!
So how does this mat magic happen, and why do we do it? It's probably worth just pondering that, so we can think about it consciously and use it to remind ourselves of why we make the effort and do this thing called exercise!
Obviously, exercise makes us stronger, leaner, more flexible and more mobile in the long term. Does this motivate us to show up? Yes, probably in some distant kind of idealist principled kind of way - we all want these things. But here's the thing - I don't thing this makes us get up out of bed or out of the house on a dark rainy day when we are tired and fed up. Sometimes those goals aren't enough to overcome those feelings of avoidance. So what is it that keeps us going?
Well, one of the obvious things is that exercise releases endorphins - our happy chemical in our brain. It effects us literally like a drug - one that is good for us! We all need an endorphin boost in our life. Sometimes I know that through the fog of lethargy there is a KNOWING that I will feel better if I do it. Fundamentally, I know this. This is partly the endorphins, but what else is it?
Exercise shifts feelings and emotions. Sometimes we might be sad, worried, anxious, stressed, overwhelmed. Life inevitable brings stresses and strains - it's part of life. I'm not saying that doing a yoga class is going to solve your problems, but I think you'll agree that when you walk out of a class, your perspective has shifted - the thing that you were stressing about is still there, but somehow you see that in the scheme of life, maybe it's not worthy of the stress you were giving it. Feeling that shift of feelings is so precious, feeling stuck in a ruminating headspace is the worst thing ever for our well-being.
Exercise and mindfulness actually changes the chemical energy systems in our body associated with stress. When we are stressed, our nervous system goes from the rest / digest state (parasympathetic) to the one our brains engage when we perceive that we are not safe (ie the sympathetic nervous system). This is something we can't always feel happening, but it basically puts us in fight/flight/freeze/fold mode. In that state, we release stress hormones, our heart rate and blood pressure rises, our anxious thoughts tumble and invade our mind, we don't sleep well, we feel irritable tired, anxious, sad or pessimistic. Ultimately this is really bad for our health, and can lead to serious issues such as heart conditions, weak immune system, and many other ailments which are too long to list here.
Exercise and mindfulness (ie meditation, or conscious relaxation) is THE best way to shift our nervous system back to the rest / digest system. In this state our body heals and regenerates, our immune system is stronger, we sleep better, we have more energy, creativity, passion and a zest for life, and we feel capable of tackling whatever life throws at us. Yes, we FEEL better - that magical thing that were know we feel but e can't explain in facts or words - it's a felt sense of well-being.
Our body is wise, and it somehow knows this, so when you walk our of a class having achieved this, something deep in your heart and mind knows it, and that is the feel-good feeling we get on the way home. See if you can notice this next time you come to class, compare how you feel before and after a class.
FEELING CONNECTED...
Another thing that draws us to class is the connectedness we feel with other people - this is HUGE and not to be overlooked. We are hard wired to not walk this earth alone - we are designed to be in tribes, communities, families and friendship groups. There is tons of research that shows just having a small connection with other people, even just a hello to a shop keeper, boosts our sense of wellbeing. Isn't that so interesting? A smile or act of a kindness from a stranger can really change how we feel.
Social connectedness and a feeling of belonging and contact with others is not a luxury, it's actually absolutely essential to our mental health. And I can guarantee that when you come to class, you will get a smile from the other beautiful members in the room.
This connectedness is the thing that lifts my heart every single day I teach, and I'm grateful to you all so much for that.
