You may have heard the word “mindfulness” thrown around a lot lately. It’s becoming very in vogue to talk about mindfulness. The problem is that many people who use that term don’t necessarily know what mindfulness is.
Whenever I put on a workshop about mindfulness I ask people what they think it is. More often than not, people mistake mindfulness with mindset. For example, they believe that mindfulness is setting your mind to do something and going after it – this is a type of mindset.
I find movement – i.e. exercise – to be an area where people seriously get these two concepts confused!
Creating a schedule, making goals, giving yourself motivating affirmations… those are all forms of mindset.
“Just Do It!” Right? Nike really knows their mindset language!
Don’t get me wrong, those things are awesome! They are just NOT mindfulness.
SO, WHAT IS MINDFULNESS??
Mindfulness is the practice of awareness in the present moment. The heart of mindfulness is being right here in THE NOW.
It is not, a form of motivation.
It is not about goals.
It is not about just doing it.
Mindfulness is about experiencing the doing at a deep level. It allows us to engage all of our senses. Our minds learn to focus inward. Our thoughts learn to slow down. Through mindfulness our concentration skills are strengthened.
Mindfulness is not judgemental though. When we are focusing inward, and concentrating on our senses, the mindfulness practice does not include judgement or criticism.
MINDFULNESS IN MOVEMENT
You may at this point be wondering how this applies to exercise.
Just as in life, if we start with a foundation of mindfulness we can then build mindset practices on that foundation. In other words, if we start our movement/ exercise with mindfulness we can then deepen and further our mindset goals.
Let’s start by talking about purely mindful movement. The asana (movement) practice of yoga, tai chi, or a walking meditation are forms of mindful movement. These practices combine breath and concentration with the movement itself. I have heard yoga called “a moving meditation.” When you are practicing these forms of mindful movement you are not focused on the outcome or the end goal.
It is possible to combine mindful movement with mindset in your exercise routines Try to have at least one time per week that you dedicate your movement practice to mindful movement: Maybe you practice yoga or tai chi or maybe you practice walking meditation (try it barefoot on sand or grass).
You can even combine mindfulness and mindset within a single exercise session. When I’m on the treadmill in the mornings I start out with the display screen covered with a towel and I just let my body tell me how fast, or slow, it wants to go. I concentrate on my breath, taking deep meditative breaths. And I turn the speed up and down as my body instructs me to.
On some days, I leave the towel over the display and go for as long as my body wants to. On other days, when my body is warmed up, I take the towel off and push myself to go faster and/ or longer (mindset).
No matter what I do on the treadmill, I always follow my cardio time with at least 15 minutes of gentle yoga and 15 minutes of meditation. This allows me to get the full benefits of the mindfulness practices.
WHY DO WE NEED MINDFULNESS IN OUR LIVES?
Mindfulness practices are one of the best stress-relievers we know of! It relieves stress through engaging hormones that allow us to be calm and relaxed.
Mindfulness practices also benefit your physical health. Studies have shown that they lower blood pressure, relieve pain and increase immunity. There is even some preliminary evidence that mindfulness practices may mitigate the cognitive decline many people face as they age.
Overall, mindfulness in movement and in your daily lifestyle practices provides significant benefits and has absolutely no negative side-effects!
Give it a try! Bring mindfulness in movement into your exercise routine!
Let me know in the comments how it goes for you!
Even if you don’t feel a difference right away I promise you will over time. So keep me posted.
Wishing You Health and Happiness!
Jen
JEN ROBINSON
Jen Robinson is the creative force behind the wellness brand Peaceful Living Wellness which is dedicated to providing a wide-variety of high-quality wellness information. Jen is also the creator of the Peaceful Living Wellness life coaching division, and offers workshops, individual and group coaching as well as retreats where she guides women in using Mindfulness and Mindset to build their inner strength on a foundation of inner peace. Jen also is the co-creator of the business coaching brand CEO Mindset that guides entrepreneurs in building their businesses without burning out.
The latest addition to her repertoire is that she recently signed-on as the Wellness Director for the business development company Wealthy Women Entrepreneurs . She is very excited to be leading this group of dynamic women entrepreneurs into success in their businesses and lives!
The most important part of Jen’s life are her two very active teenagers, AJ & Layna!
Jen’s Mindfulness and Mindset techniques inform her business, her parenting and her life!
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