My solution is to begin consciously practicing moving your body in ways that produce more freedom. Freedom feels good and causes us to open to ourselves. It will deepen the connection between your body and mind. This creates a positive pleasurable mental association between your physicality and your body.

The more you reinforce this association will eventually deepen the amount of balance, health and peace you have in your life.

I believe the key to this situation is adding two elements to your exercise routine.

1. Practice Releasing The Day's Tension Before You Exercise.

   When your body is free to move your experiences of exercise becomes more fulfilling and personalized. Apply your creativity to your movements and exercises. How can you make exercise more enjoyable?

   Here is a progression:
   a. Starting with easy and slow movements with little to no weight or resistance, learn to enjoy the freedom of just moving and flowing with your body.
   b. Pick movements that challenge your mind. There are so many toys in our modern gym that you can play with. Check them out and get some help if you are unsure; i.e. add core training to every exercise you do.
   c. Learn to express yourself through your body. Personal physical expression is a great way to relieve stress and open your body. As your body opens your ability to exercise with greater intensity builds. The more pleasure you receive the more you will want to move and push your limits. Eventually, believe it or not "no pain, no gain" feels good!
2. Change Your Personal Definition Of Exercise.

   I believe that exercise is a means to learn how to improve the way you use your body. This improvement can be done through any activity that you like. In fact, I suggest finding an activity that you like and make that your major mode of exercise. Performing activities that you hate only increases the amount of stress you are under. If you enjoy moving your body the results you want will come quicker. Have the major focus be on the moment-to-moment process of exercise and begin to view the results as the "gravy."

Back to the Beginning >> Why Are We Stressing Over Exercise?

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