Physical Exercise And Inner Balance

'A sound mind in a sound body’ is a famous quote known to be said by the pre-Socratic ancient Greek philosopher, Thales of Miletus.

What exactly does this mean, and how does this apply in everyday life?

We live in a world that just happens to be heavily influenced by digital technology; thus, many people have chosen to keep themselves in a sedentary and unhealthy compliant lifestyle.

Human beings were born to be in physical motion, one way or another. Ever since childhood, we learn to walk, run, jump, and perform several other physical maneuvers on the playground or during other activities. However, this scenario mostly applies to the good old days, when society was less inclined to such a degree of consumerism and digital technology.

Then again, many conscious individuals still opt for complementing their healthy lifestyle with regular physical activities, which are basically crucial to optimal health.

Up until the 21st century, the very idea of physical activity wasn't even remotely an issue, as our ancestors have had mostly physically fit and active lifestyles. With modern society's digital technological advancements, that lifestyle has severely started to decline.

Many people are fused to their smartphones, children growing up on digital tablets. People are constantly being bombarded by digital information and mesmerized by the digital allure.

In spite of the fact that digital technology has its upsides and practicality, it is crucial to maintain proper consciousness in order to keep a healthy balance in life.

The number of health issues due to a sedentary lifestyle has literally skyrocketed, obesity reaching epidemic proportions globally, with 2.8 million people dying of this devastating condition each year.

Several cardiological health issues, liver and kidney problems, vascular and pulmonary diseases, as well as various cancer types are attributed to obesity and being overweight.

Also, with a sedentary lifestyle that comes with the extra pounds, the immune system is weakened and degrades constantly, making way for several diseases and infections. The cells in the body regenerate at a much slower rate, aging happens faster, and it happens in a more unnatural way.

All of these because modern society has successfully managed to drive a large number of people into the comfort zone of an unhealthy and unconscious lifestyle.

The people trapped in the vicious circle of sedentarism are completely disconnected from nature and, most importantly, disconnected from their own selves.

The most important and urgent solutions to this highly toxic lifestyle are not only a healthy, balanced, plant-based diet but also regular physical exercise.

As with everything, moderation is key, and it applies to frequent body workouts as well. Exaggeration, as always, can lead to several unpleasant and unhealthy consequences.

There are many forms of physical exercise that can be implemented in a daily healthy lifestyle, which have their own unique beneficial effects on the physical body and the mind.

The most elementary and primal but natural form of physical exercise is running. Since the most ancient times, running has been a part of human nature, either as a tool to avoid or escape multiple dangers or consciously performed as a physical workout.

Running is the human race's most fundamental physical exercise, deeply embedded and rooted in our genetic structure. It is also one of the most liberating exercises that strengthen the immune system and detoxify the body by intensifying blood circulation and oxygenating the tissues within the body.

Spiritually, running or jogging lifts the spirit, raises the energy vibration of the aura, and detoxifies the energy field from impurities.

Of course, most physical activities have similar effects on both body and mind, with certain unique differences depending on what a person desires to achieve through a particular workout.

Swimming also is considered by many as one of, if not the most, complex body workouts of all. It basically targets every single muscle in the body, oxygenates the tissues, and develops a harmonious connection between the body and the mind. It is also worth mentioning that swimming's complexity builds a harmonious physical structure as well, all muscle groups being aesthetically evolved and maintained.

Yoga develops a strong connection between the body and the mind, maintaining the physical body and the soul in an optimal connection with each other. Apart from its physical benefits, yoga helps raise a higher level of consciousness, which is spiritually very important to keep the focus in the present moment.

Pilates strengthens the whole body structure, helps improve posture and flexibility, and strengthens the core, and if practiced properly, it burns enough calories to keep the body fit and healthy.

Classic stretching exercises with proper warm-up also do wonders for the entire body, helping in oxygenating the tissues, strengthening the limbs, and improving body posture considerably. Stretching exercises also help in faster cell regeneration, improve flexibility, promote longevity and youth, and evidently strengthen the entire immune system.

Be it either workout forms like aerobics, fitness, biking, hiking in nature, skateboarding, rollerskating, dancing, or even walking, they all have similar effects that benefit both the body and the mind, with countless beneficial health effects in the long term.

Regardless of which physical exercise people choose to pursue, what really matters is that some kind of body workout should be implemented on a regular basis, complementing a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

Still, with careful health considerations, one should optimally choose a cardio form of exercise to help the body burn enough calories, keep a fit structure, and detoxify properly.

The very issue of modern society is that physical exercises are becoming obsolete, and for many, a sedentary lifestyle has become the norm, which is the actual opposite of what nature intended.

There is no healthy lifestyle without proper physical exercise. Even with a consciously chosen healthy diet, physical workout is simply essential for optimal health.

It is also crucial to mention that physical work does not equal physical exercise. Many people prefer to avoid physical exercises, as they believe hard physical labor has the same results. This concept is entirely wrong, and it does more harm than good in the long term.

Hard physical labor is not performed consciously paying attention to the body signals, and in many cases, if exaggerated, it wreaks serious havoc upon the body. In several cases of hard physical labor in the long term, the joints are severely impacted, body posture is ruined, ligaments are torn, and bone structure is weakened.

Conscious physical exercises have the very purpose of developing and helping the body to maintain harmony and optimal health in the long term. Accidents might still happen, especially in professional sports, but the whole purpose of a physical body workout is entirely different from hard physical labor.

Working the body consciously means working the mind, working the very essence of what human beings were made of. Physical exercise helps us reconnect to ourselves and bring focus to the present moment, which is essentially crucial to retain consciousness.

It is also important to always pay attention to what our body tries to tell us, as its intelligent design is meant to protect us from any harm, either physically or mentally.

Without physical exercises, there is no health, no harmony within, and the balance between the soul and the body is impossible to maintain in the long term, eventually resulting in various health issues.

Consciously deciding to implement a physical exercise regularly means taking care of yourself and loving yourself. Paying attention to your body means caring for your own health.

Physical exercise is nurturing both your body and your soul. It brings you freedom and peace of mind. It keeps your body in shape and reconnects your soul to nature and to the divine energies while consciously remaining in the flow of the present moment.

As you gain better health, you will feel better about yourself, you'll have more energy, you'll look better and younger, and you'll live longer.

Ultimately, your body will thank you, your mind will be grateful, and your heart will love you.