Recently I read a Facebook post by someone who said that while warming up for an exercise class at her gym she saw a particular news item come across the TV on CNN. It bothered her very much.
My first thought to this post was not what happened on CNN but the fact that her mind was on CNN while her body was warming up to exercise. Every gym in this country have TV's blaring while people are exercising. This does not mean it is good for us.
Watching TV while exercising the body is like a car moving without a driver. Another way to put it, try connecting with your spouse in a meaningful way while focusing on a TV program.
While we are engaged in a physical exercise that is desgined to improve our health, why would you want to be anywhere else with your mind? The mind MUST be engaged to not only keep from getting hurt, but to realize the full benefit of the exercise.
In Tai chi chuan, if the mind is not engaged while going through the movements, you cannot even say you are practicing Tai chi chuan.
If you feel a need to distract your mind while exercising, for whatever reason, then maybe it is time to find a new exercise in which you no longer feel a need to disengage.
I know I always feel much better and get better result when the mind, breath and body are all in alignment, no matter what I am doing.
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