Take Your Workout to the Next Level

You may have heard a little bit about how Mind/Body training is re-inventing the fitness industry, but for those who don’t really understand what this kind of training is, Mind/Body training is basically a fitness routine that takes mental focus and mental coping or relaxation (solutions for de-stressing) into account.  If this doesn’t sound clear enough, here are some common techniques that people use in the gym to get to that next level: working out and empowering the mind at the same time.

Mind/Body Group Classes

One way to practice Mind/Body training is to enroll in a group class with a good Mind/Body instructor.  You may be able to find these at your local gym.  The instructor will help you do basic Mind/Body techniques like deep breathing, where focusing on your breath helps you to incorporate a powerful de-stressing aspect into your workout.  A Mind/Body group class may also focus on other areas like mantras, posture, or visualizations.  Yoga or pilates, two disciplines that use a lot of Mind/Body ideas, may play a key role.

Slow Down on the Cycle

Here’s another way that those working out put Mind/Body into their fitness equation.  In cycling or “spinning”, changing a simple “power” workout into a Mind/Body workout has to do with putting on the brakes.  Here’s why:  for many, a simple power cycle spin consists of pumping those pedals and getting the heart rate up.  But controlled, steady, slower reps at a higher resistance can be a better way to work out for some.  Using mantras (mental slogans), counting, or other devices, indoor bike users can get great Mind/Body elements into their daily routine.

Kicking and Punching: Mind/Body Martial Arts

Martial arts are another way to use a Mind/Body approach to fitness.  Many martial arts fans take classes in these disciplines for that reason.  They know that karate, tai chi, or other martial arts are not just about the physical kick and punch: they also incorporate a lot of symbolic movements that work the body and the mind simultaneously.  Explore the ways that martial arts can help you put a focus on an internal clarity while strengthening limbs and joints for a holistic workout.

Consider “Fitness Aids” for Mind/Body Work

Just as with traditional isometrics and resistance training, Mind/Body can benefit from a few basic fitness tools.  Balance boards and cushions, pilates rings, or exercise balls can help provide a resistance for your muscle groups.  Books and videos on Mind/Body work can show you how to use these tools to get a combination of physical and emotional elements into your routine.

Make Your Own Mind/Body Routine

Keep in mind that the above examples are just some very fundamental, popular ways to do Mind/Body fitness training.  The open definition of this kind of fitness training means that the possibilities are practically infinite.  Think about what you currently enjoy in a “power workout” and find your own ways to change your daily workout to include more “me-focus” or internal reflection, with your own visualizations, rhythms, and general creative conditioning, and take yourself to the next level for a better overall wellness result.