Any growth that we want to cultivate (whether that growth is health-related, career-related, emotional, or spiritual in nature) must be rooted in mindfulness. It must.
Exercise is a great example of how this applies.
It doesn’t really help to just mindlessly strength train since it’s easy to injure yourself. It doesn’t help to avoid certain movements because of pain. One must know why there is pain in the first place. One must address the root of the pain. It’s not enough to just lift heavy. It’s better to lift through a full range of motion. Number of reps matter very little if your form is completely off.
If a particular muscle is always tight, it might be time to ask why instead of just stretching it out. Why do certain weaknesses always manifest in certain areas? Is it a pinched nerve? Is it a wonky movement pattern? These things matter. But it’s not about remembering things on a list. It is about awareness.
I use this example because I’ve helped my mother recover from botched back and hip operations in the past. The most important thing I learnt from that experience is to ask the right questions. Something even seasoned healthcare professionals don’t do.
Additionally, it’s important to stay adaptable (trying different exercises) while also being meticulously consistent (stretching and exercising daily). And finally, it’s important to never fall into a pattern of mindless repetition. One should never do a movement or exercise just to get it done. It’s much better to focus on performing each rep correctly.
Unfortunately, this is how we live our lives. We rush through everything so we can spend more time in front of screens. Mindlessness is everywhere we look. It irks me even as I sometimes zone out on my phone for hours. But it’s easy to counter by meditating daily and committing to being present.