Continuing on from last month where I approached the issue of rethinking your exercise regime, this month I am considering how you actually approach and perform exercise and activities.

Use the examples below to ascertain if your exercising or activities are faintly disguised military assaults on your body. Try to approach these suggested exercises smoothly, free flowing in style and as slowly as possible to see how your body responds.

The aim is to see a) how easy it is to do while remaining strong but relaxed in your body and b) whether you default to a faster, more ‘aggressive attack’ style in your execution!

Sustained hold press ups

Tuck bottom under to flatten lower back.

Drop shoulders.

Breathe smoothly in and out.

Slowly bend elbows (if only to an infinitesimal degree) and hold.

Allow body to ebb and flow not push and pull.

Walk on the spot – floppy style

Stand tall.

Tuck bottom under to flatten lower back.

Drop shoulders.

Breathe smoothly in and out.

Walk tall on the spot allowing arms to flop and swing feely (not with elbows held at 90 degrees)

Allow body to ebb and flow not push and pull.

Flowing side bends

Sit in a chair or on the floor 

Tuck bottom under to flatten lower back.

Drop shoulders.

Breathe smoothly in and out.

Feel sides stretch.

Allow body to ebb and flow not push and pull.

Alternate arm circles with knee bend

Spread feet apart and reach one arm towards its opposite knee (which you bend). Circle that arm up and over head, then back to your side as knee straightens.

Breathe smoothly in and out.

Change arms and bend alternate knees through movement.

Sweep and float don’t force and fling!

Take your time to observe your inner voice. Is it telling you to push harder, move faster, bend further? OR is quiet and reflective, responding intuitively to maintain a free flow style movement that, while it may be challenging and tiring, is simultaneously energising and restorative.  

The human form was designed to move freely in multiple directions throughout the day with a wide variety of activities. So however and wherever you move, applying forceful stressful manoeuvres inappropriately on a regular basis is counter productive. It stops you breathing properly, stops you holding your alignment correctly and wastes energy unnecessarily.

If you are going to move your body it may as well be done as efficiently and effectively as possible. Leave the boot camp mindset behind and look forward to giving your body balanced and empowering movements, that build strength and endurance for the long term.