Mindful Exercise

 Many of us try to exercise regularly to maintain fitness and for the general health benefits. Exercise can also be a great opportunity to practice mindfulness. If we choose to do this, it is important to do it in a safe environment, like a gym or a pool, and if outside somewhere where there is not a lot of traffic or other activities that we need to be aware of.  I have been running regularly for many years, and when I go on a run I practice mindfulness for a period of time, usually not the whole run, as often as I can.

There is a lot that we can pay attention to while we exercise.  We can notice all that is happening in the body- where we feel the exercise, and we can be aware of our breathing.  If we choose to, we can notice sight.  If we are exercising outside, walking, running or biking, we can notice our surroundings.  We can also notice our thoughts.   Are thoughts arising about how well we are doing, or how much we are enjoying the experience?  Or are thoughts arising about how hard the workout is, and perhaps how much we are not enjoying it?  Is it possible to notice and be with whatever thoughts are arising without judging them?

If we are not exerting ourselves too much, perhaps we can just be with the sensations that are arising and let all thoughts go.  Then there is just whatever activity we are doing.   If we are walking, there is just walking.  If we are swimming, there is just swimming.  For me, when I am running I try to just be running.

One aspect of mindfulness is nonidentification- not identifying with our current state and believing it defines us.  The construct of a self arises through thoughts- thinking that we are a certain type of person with certain characteristics.  Yet these characteristics change moment to moment as our circumstances change.  We can be calm in one moment, then something changes and we feel anger.  Nonidentification means recognizing that neither state defines us- they are just bodily sensations, thoughts and emotions arising in the moment, and they will soon change.

When exercising we can practice this- just paying attention to the body and letting thoughts go, not identifying with any of it. In this moment, we feel our feet on the ground and just notice walking. If thoughts arise we can let them go.  Then there is just walking.  We likely have chosen where we are headed, but there is no goal.  If we finish what we planned to do, fine.  If not, that can be fine too.  It’s all about the journey, noticing what’s happening in the present moment, rather than trying to get to any particular destination.