We Are Meant To Move

Devil's Lake, WI

It's easy to hike or bike when the weather is like this...

 

and this...

 ...but what about this? Winter in the midwest often means icy roads and walkways, temps below double digits some days...

Even if you are in the milder climes, such as living in the seasonal changes of my native state California, gray and rainy days can get you down.
   
Meditation, yoga, exercise classes, treadmill or elliptical trainer...yes! But to be honest, lately what has helped me most are at-home DVDs! Simple: get out of bed, get dressed, plug in DVD (and headphones, I'm a *really* early riser) and get moving. I needed strength training, but wasn't motivated with stretchy bands and dumbells. My yoga form isn't skillful enough (yet) to do repeated Sun Salutations without tweaking some part of my body and feeling somewhat injured afterwards. Besides, both seemed monotonously repetitive, they quickly bored my inner child. With chagrin, I went to the local super store with the red ball out front and purchased 2 DVDs for $10 or less, thinking I would not lose too much if they turned out to be as dumb or annoying as I thought they'd be. To my pleasant surprise, they are my best winter bargains! Both work with the whole body, and I'm able to tailor the effort or amount of time I have that day.

 When I let go of self-criticism ("Why am I not losing weight? I must not be working hard enough!") and judgment ("Her voice is so annoying! Oh, they look like cheerleaders. Easy for them, they're already buffed out!"), I began to have fun!
I think the keys to good health, and yes-spiritual or personal development-for a lifetime, include a balance of stillness, movement, and endless cultivation of self-awareness. The secret is: find something fun, and if that doesn't work, tell yourself you dont' have to like it, you just need to do it! The body was designed for movement...and who knows, even in the throes of winter you may find great joy beyond your expectation!