Sunday, January 31, 2010

Exercise Magic

More time exercising means more time thinking.   It seems like I spend about the first 7-8 minutes convincing myself that I can keep peddling on the stationary bike.  After that, it almost seems like I am coasting through the exercise.  This is when I have been experiencing flashes of insight on various things.  Maybe it’s a lack of oxygen or an increase in endorphins, but I’ve got to say that these experiences have been rather pleasant and unexpected – almost like I’m entering some sort of exercise consciousness.

Being of a practicing Pagan, I can’t help but compare this experience to what happens during ritual consciousness – that sort of trance state where one keenly feels that they are in contact with the Divine.   The major difference between this feeling and ritual consciousness is  that I feel like I am in some sort of spiritual contact with my own body.  It’s like there is a very tangible thought/body connection going on.

If I close my eyes and think about increasing the energy I am using during my workout, the digital display shows me using more calories.  My heart rate doesn’t increase, my body doesn’t feel more stressed, but strangely I cover more mileage.  And it’s not just a small increase.  Generally, I pedal along at about 60 watts.  During one of these concentration interludes, I  pedal at anywhere from %150 to %200 of my normal rate.  Every time.

By combining this mind/body connection with visualization exercises, I believe I will be able to drastically improve the effectiveness of my exercise program.  I like it – it fits.  A magical fitness plan.

[Via http://dragonspring.wordpress.com]

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