All my life I have avoided physical exercise wherever possible. I had a resolute association with exercise being hard, painful and exhausting. If I was already feeling tired, the last thing I would want to do is put further strain on my body.
Listening to the Universal Medicine presentations over the years, a message has been ringing out loud and clear that I have stubbornly resisted for quite some time – about the importance of looking after your body, and developing strength in order to be fit for life. Eventually I started an exercise routine to include walking and swimming, but from a negative perspective that exercise was something you had to do that was apparently good for you.
I did not exercise from a connection to my body, but rather from a discipline and as one of the ‘should dos’ of my day.
I went along to a ‘Creative Health & Rehabilitation’ exercise class as another ‘should do’. The exercises in this class were focused on building core strength. I did not really have a sense in my body of what core strength was, but it sounded like something I could do with. Over a period of only a few weeks I started to notice some changes.
What became obvious quite quickly was that my residual back pain reduced, and when I had an active day at work I did not feel so wiped out. When I went swimming I noticed that my kicking had improved and that I could actually feel some power in my movement through the water. This inspired me to do more core exercises at home, and I requested a personal program to develop my core strength specifically.
In the space of a few months I feel that my relationship with my body has completely changed. I feel much more confident in my strength and resilience, no longer waking up with the same anxiety around having enough energy to ‘get through the day’. My posture has changed and I can feel that the way I hold myself and move allows a deeper connection to all of my body – my body as a woman.
I now feel that exercise, and supporting my body through developing my core strength, give me more energy for the day ahead! And as a result I feel more committed to life and more joyful when I wake up in the morning.
I never would have thought that developing my physical core strength could have changed my life, and also given me a very tangible connection to the essence of who I am. It has been a tremendous gift that I now have as a foundation upon which to further deepen and expand my expression in daily life, with a joyful heart and a stronger body.
Forever inspired by the practical and loving wisdom of Universal Medicine.
By Janet Williams
Further Reading:
Change your life
“One Step At a Time – Anything Else is Just Too Tricky!”
Exercise: Gentle and Flowing or Pounding and Pushing?
Building a strong foundation, or core, in physical fitness brings an aliveness to everything we are.
Thank you Janet, as exercising when we have connected to our essences first definitely takes on a whole new approach to the way we approach life and exercise, which developes a Truly healthy and vital body.
I too used to avoid exercise like the plague OR really push myself hard until I collapsed or was battered from martial arts. But exercising with my body and not pushing it when it feels to stop feels amazing and very supportive. I don’t go up the weights on the machines very fast but that is not the point. If I can still benefit from the first weight then that’s ok for me! I feel stronger and have more stamina when I exercise with me. Push it and it takes days to recover.
It is lovely to read of the benefits you are experiencing by building your core strength; I personally find core strength exercises to be invaluable.
This is a beautiful testimony to the benefits of exercising whilst connected with self, ‘I now feel that exercise, and supporting my body through developing my core strength, give me more energy for the day ahead! And as a result I feel more committed to life and more joyful when I wake up in the morning.’
It is very beautiful when we exercise and it doesn’t feel like exercise in the way I have known it to be in the past. Walking is exercising my body yet when connected to my body the amazing feeling I have in my body outweighs everything so that the intention and focus is not on exercising my body but the glorious feeling I have in my relationship with self.
It is very supportive and exercise doesn’t have to be painful. When we do it with a deep connection to our body, do it with gentleness and love our body thanks us for it and in return, we feel amazing. How we look after our body is so important as this affects how we relate to the rest of the world.
It is so important to have strong core strength as it supports our body in every way, when we walk, sit, stand and do any physical activities. I am like you Janet, I have always dislike exercise and find it unpleasant to put strain and stress on my body. But I do love to do gentle exercises to support my body and go for gentle walks.
Building the core strength and resilience in our body builds strength and resilience in every aspect of life.
Its an interesting relationship – feeling tired from how we are in our lives and then making the choice to do more in the form of exercise. Yet 100% of the feedback when we do decide to go that extra mile is how much it supports what we are choosing to do no matter whether its strength, endurance, or simply presence in our bodies (as opposed to being locked in our heads).
We can feel that we instantly lift ourselves up when we connect to our core strenght and confirm this strenght inside us. Can you imagine than exercising from this very same place. Simply : connect to your heart, feel your body, connect to your inner-strenght and breath gentle through your nose and see what movement comes from there.
That’s such a different place to do the exercises from: to connect to the strength from within ourselves than from an outside belief ‘I have to exercise’.
When we commit to strengthening our body it loves us back by showing signs of health and vitality. We can choose to honour our body in a way that it will naturally support us and it will thank us for it. It is through our body that we are able to connect to greater strength, wisdom and intelligence. So, it makes sense to strengthen and prepare our body to receive this without obstruction.
Beautiful Janet. What our body’s core strength actually offers when we allow it the space and building fortune it needs.
A great sharing Janet, it is timely, as I have been looking at strengthening my body with some gentle exercises and using some weights, I haven’t quite started as yet but your blog is inspiring me to do so.
It is inspiring to read the benefits of Janet’s exercising to increase her core strength, ‘I now feel that exercise, and supporting my body through developing my core strength, give me more energy for the day ahead! And as a result I feel more committed to life and more joyful when I wake up in the morning.’
So beautifully shared Janet and confirming of the power we have access to through our connection to our body and being, and when we exercise with the purpose of honouring and deepening this connection, we strengthen our body of love allowing us greater access to live more freely the potential of who we are.
I have always known that my body feels better when I am doing some regular exercise but in the past this has always come from driving my body e.g. to complete a certain number of lengths in the swimming pool as fast as possible and therefore I have never maintained whatever programme I have set myself.
I have been exploring different ways of building more gentle exercise into my days and have recently started leading weekly walks at lunchtime and encouraging my colleagues to leave their desks but I have been surprised how challenging I have found it to commit to doing some gentle connective tissue exercises to support my back on a daily basis and how often I allow other things to get in the way of taking care of my body so trying to stay open to exploring all the barriers I put up to taking loving care of myself.
Wow your blog makes me wonder what we already have in our bodies that we are not utilising. What if there is just part of us that needs strengthening or some focus and that increased strength could impact every other part of our body and how we feel in life – this is definitely worth some investigation.
We (with our bodies) are capable of so much more than we think … and to explore those limits with the help of some gentle but consistent exercise is an absolute treat.
There is no doubt within me that what I do or not do which ever the case may be in my day affects my sleep and not only that, my general wellbeing the following day and the day after that etc. So the more I commit to myself throughout the day and this includes exercise which I am experimenting with at the moment the more vital I feel during my day.
I recently wrote a self-care program for myself and one of the key points was to do more gentle exercise. Going for a walk is a great way to move, stretch and exercise my body. I too was never into sports or regular exercise because I didn’t like how my body felt and I didn’t like feeling exhausted afterwards. But now, I realised exercise can be gentle and fun, it doesn’t have to be hard, push our body or painful. I find it can be so enjoyable when exercise is done with gentleness, fun and lightness.
Janet, this is very gorgeous to read. I too have had this idea that exercise is hard and also not very enjoyable. What you are sharing is very inspiring that exercise can be supportive and give us more energy for the day. This inspires me to take up some gentle exercise, thank you.
Reading this today I realise how I have only seen developing core strength as a physical function and also that it looks better appearance wise. However, core strength as you’ve experienced Janet means so much more… it’s the outer layer reflecting our inner strength. No wonder it then affects how we feel and how we approach life each day.
I have recently been thinking about the relationship between our physical strength and exercise routine and our emotional/mental strength and support. I avoid exercising sometimes and I feel it relates to how in my life generally I also avoid doing things that develop a solid core support of me and my wellbeing – core strength is both a physical thing we can build in our body and a mental and emotional support
Developing core strength with joy and willingness rather than out of duty and mental understanding is a wondrous task and one that keep on giving back, manifold.
Life can be so simple when we get our foundations right by developing our core, exercising regularly and eating well are all the building blocks for a truly joyful energetic life.
I am feeling as I get older my body is actually wanting more exercise. I am really enjoying going swimming a couple of times a week and when I can adding exercise into my morning routine. Supporting our body from the core is a tremendous support for daily life.
Janet, it’s like your body had been waiting for you to strengthen it in the way that you did, and it then responded so strongly by providing that extra power and vitality because you were finally listening to its call. What a lesson in understanding how we can use all our movements (including exercise and house cleaning chores) to reconnect and feel the joy of that.
When we see exercise as a ‘chore’ or a ‘should do’ we can resent the time it takes but when we exercise gently as part of caring for our physical body it is an opportunity to build a stronger connection to who we are.
It sure does Mary, I love what you’ve shared. It is amazing how everything changes when we approach it with gentleness, love and care. If we apply this to exercise it could change the way we view exercise and could potentially change the way the world views exercise too. Also, if we apply these basic principles to other areas in life, we could receive so much joy out of everything we do and life would no longer feel like a chore.
Exercising in connection is one of the vital ingredients to living life to your fullest. Whenever exercise becomes a chore, too hard or there is no time to fit it in, you have to ask the question are you exercising to connect. In connection to your body you are given energy.
I have always loved working on core strength within my body feeling it is very valuable part of exercise, ‘I now feel that exercise, and supporting my body through developing my core strength, give me more energy for the day ahead! And as a result I feel more committed to life and more joyful when I wake up in the morning.’
This piece of writing is gorgeous, because it reads like the words of a woman who is falling in love with herself all over again.
” Eventually I started an exercise routine to include walking and swimming, but from a negative perspective that exercise was something you had to do that was apparently good for you. ”
Is it not amazing how we avoid whats good and supports our body in its days work.
I agree developing core strength is super supportive. I walk and move with much more power because I am connecting more deeply with my core and holding myself from that place.
I can feel that this is something that I still avoid and so is something for me to look deeper at as I can feel the benefits of what you have presented and know this to be true.
Thank you Janet for talking about core strength and having a feminine woman’s body. Because really and truly I do not believe that we have to sacrifice being feminine and gorgeous to have strength and power.
Developing our relationship with our bodies is the key to determining the way we approach exercise as a support to us to bring a level of consistency that reflects a way of being that is super productive and honouring of the essence of who we are.
There are several flights of stairs at one of the places I work, and when I first started there I avoided them as much as possible, always taking the lift because I already felt tired or was in a rush, why would I add in a hard long flight of stairs? But in the last couple of weeks, I have started taking the stairs as often as I can, taking my time, counting the steps to stay present and not pushing myself but taking the moment in my day to connect to my body
There are several flights of staris at one of the places I work, and when I first started there I avoided them as much as possible, always taking the lift because I already felt tired or was in a rush, why would I add in a hard long flight of stairs? But in the last couple of weeks, I have started taking the stairs as often as I can, taking my time, counting the steps to stay present and not pushing myself but taking the moment in my day to connect to my body
That’s amazing and I can absolutely see how much of a difference it would make. I have a very inconsistent relationship with exercise. I’ve always enjoyed it to a degree, but found myself doing it often out of a ‘ I better do this’ attitude, rather than from an understanding of just how supportive it is for my body.
Great Janet, over the years bringing focus on how i am relating to myself and to my female body during the daytime when working and living life in general, has meant my exercising follows this same quality too.. to make exercise a normal extension of living in connection. What i used to do in the past is use the gym/exercising to relieve stress or tension from the day but the stress never went and instead i was just exercising my stress as i was exercising in stress! Quality changes everything.
Building core strength is something I really enjoy too, I feel much more steady in life with this body awareness.
And when we do reconnect with and honor our bodies in this way , it reflects in every aspect of our lives
It sure does Chris and it is so important to reconnect with and honour our body. The amazing thing is, when we master this in one area of our life, it seems to flow easily and effortlessly into other areas of our life. This means, it is really super easy to master life without any complications.
I can feel the irony of the push we feel to ‘get our body physically fit’ as opposed to ‘fit for life’ which values not only our physical body, but values our health and well-being as equally important. This is a great blog reminding us of that fact so thankyou Janet.
It is interesting how we resist that which supports us. My body without a shadow of a doubt loves exercise in connection to myself too. Whether I go for a walk, go to the gym, swim or do gentle stretches at home it has an enormous impact and makes such a difference to my wellbeing on a daily basis. If I choose to override and ignore exercise in my life the tension in my body becomes very clear and apparent.
A gorgeous reflection of how powerful is to when we choose to support ourselves in one aspect of our lives, and how this naturally flows through every area of our life. We are here in a physical body and offering physical support to body is what allows us to freely move with power, strength and vitality so that we can be all that we are without hindrance.
“I now feel that exercise, and supporting my body through developing my core strength, gives me more energy for the day ahead! And as a result I feel more committed to life and more joyful when I wake up in the morning.” This is amazing. Interesting that doing more exercise – when staying with ourselves – affects our everyday energy. Currently I am doing online exercise with Bev Carter – and find them so empowering.
Doing anything by discipline never truly works. I have instead through experience found that when we do something from a true love of ourselves from our body this alone makes a huge difference before we have even done anything. It is the intention and the truth of where the intention is coming from that makes the difference. I so hear what you are saying with regards to core strength. From doing exercise classes a few years ago I remembered just how much my body love to exercise and be exercised it felt amazing; so honouring this feeling I continued a plan at home for this to only …. fall away. However, no judging or beating myself up and it took me a while to pick this up again but I have just joined a local gym and in just only 6 weeks doing a few simple exercises and going on a few machines like the treadmill to do fast walking I have noticed a really big difference in my energy levels, how I feel about myself and most of all my posture and how I hold my body and most of all a deeper and more loving connection and relationship with my body.
I love the simplicity of what you share here Janet, your sense that you needed to develop a stronger body, and the simple choice you made to make this happen. It need never be complicated as you prove in this example.
It makes so much sense if we want to be steady and strong in life we need to have a core that is also that.
Developing core strength like this is a lot more than just ‘muscle toning’, but actually an avenue through which we can commit to looking after ourselves and maintaining fitness for life that can be applied elsewhere. Core strength might lead on to arms, legs, whole body and every relationship in life too!
Well said Susie , fitness for life and what needs to be done.
With doing simple exercises regularly our fitness and strength can really quickly improve. It blows the ideals that exercise needs to be tough and a struggle totally out of the water. Exercise really can be a playful moment of being with your own body.
I was so inspired reading your blog today Janet. I enjoy swimming and walking but have a great resistance to doing core work and your blog has left me asking myself why?
Thanks for sharing Janet. What jumps out to me is your change from doing exercise as a discipline, to doing exercise as a support to your life.
I used to love exercise because it never took me too long to see muscle tone in my body and I liked having that – but the rest of my life was a bit of a mess and so the exercise was a ‘good deed’ rather than part of how I was living. I’ve never stopped exercising, but now how I approach it is changing – and I feel so much more solid in my body when I do exercise.
Exercising with my body, in that I remain aware of how my body feels and stop the movement when I get the message to stop and not push through feels amazing as I am not left afterwards feeling tired, sore, in pain, bruised or bleeding (in my martial art days).
Once we start to really listen to our bodies everything changes
I can relate to what you share here, Jane. I’ve also avoided exercising most of my life, because I felt that exercise was something very hard I didn’t want for my body. Behind that decision I was somehow taking care for my delicateness, but if I’m honest there was also lack of commitment to life. Recently I’ve started to exercise in a gentle way and can feel how supportive it is for me to deepen in my relationship with my body, and through it, with my connection to life.
Thank you Janet, I enjoyed reading this again. It’s a fascinating process observing how the more I take care of my body the better connected I feel to my essence and the better equipped I feel to cope with life.
So true Melinda, and when we are not coping with life it is our body’s way of telling us we are not looking after ourselves, our body and our health. When we are fit within ourselves we feel we can cope with anything in life. So, you’ve highlighted that it is very important to connect and strengthen our body to prepare us for life.
I also did a personal programme with Creative Health and Rehabilitation and like you noticed a huge change in many things mostly being my posture, how my body felt stronger and how important the core muscles in our body our for our health and well-being is. I have not kept up with the programme and am still working on this one ‘I did not exercise from a connection to my body, but rather from a discipline and as one of the ‘should dos’ of my day.’ The last few days I have been doing a lot of walking around a city and when my legs felt tired changed my movement I noticed that my core muscles came in and everything changed. Who would have thought if we use our core to walk it takes pressure of our legs? Love your blog its very inspiring and trustfully in time with commitment and self-love my relationship with exercise will change again.
Lately I am learning that fitness for life with exercise is about the way and the respect for my body that I hold during the exercise sessions, this actually gives me a fitness for life that is beyond the physical strength and goes much deeper in to the core of who I am.
Same here it’s not just about the strength or stamina of the body but when exercising in connection that strength of remaining connected is also exercised.
Thank you Janet for a great blog on exercising, I never felt I needed exercise as I have been a keen gardener most of my life, now in my seventies heavy gardening is beyond me, so I am looking at gently exercising while connecting with my body as part of my daily rhythm.
It is interesting how we can resist that which supports us. I have been feeling to go to my local gym for some time now but have felt a resistance which is becoming much less. I know where I want to go, it is just a question of going at a time and day that suits. We can come up with all sorts of excuses but when the impulse is there it becomes difficult to ignore.
The intention that we exercise in is very important as you say here Janet. I have noticed as a physical therapist that the intention or the way that people strengthen or contract their core makes a big difference. There is a lot of talk about core strength and usually it is taught in a way that is forceful or imposing on the body. So when we approach the core strength with more gentleness and deep care for ourselves it has a very different feeling in the body and a vastly different result.
My relationship with exercise has been so inconsistent, despite always having loved to participate in it. Recently I’ve taken it up again, with the support of my housemate. Already within a couple of weeks I can feel that my flexibility is starting to come back and my muscles and connective tissues are less highly strung. You’ve inspired me Janet to get a bit more support around my core strength as I have a weak or very tight lower back and this impacts on how I exercise.
The relationship between our physical body and how we feel is often underestimated. And it makes me wonder when in countries such as the US and Australia as two examples, 68 and 63% of the populations are overweight, how that impacts on quality of life, productivity, and simply how people feel. What is our frame of reference for what wellbeing is if we don’t have a physical body that is fit for our daily tasks. This really came to mind in reading this blog Janet, in light of the positive changes from doing some simple exercises that you experienced.
The way we prepare our bodies for life is absolutely vital. I have recently increased my fitness routine, and not only does it help me feel steady in my day, it helps me feel steady and strong in myself. As my fitness for life increases I feel much more prepared for whatever is in front of me.
I couldn’t agree more about the importance of developing our core strength, I have done a physical job for years and always thought that was all the exercise I needed, but since being made more aware of my core strength and also being more present when I lift things, I notice less of a strain on other body parts like the arms, shoulders and back.
Exercise is a such a delicious process. It must been done with connection to our body otherwise it is abuse. Even choosing to not exercise or not do enough exercise is still abuse as it does not offer the body the ability for it to build the physical strength it needs for day to day life.
Yes, it is only when we feel the true benefit of what we are doing that we can get inspired to do it not from a ‘must do’ but a ‘love to’!
Janet, I love that by doing exercises on your core muscles this has actually helped you to connect with yourself as a woman. In a lot of exercise regimes I see how there can sometimes be a very masculine quality to them and this can also be seen at times in the women who engage with this. This blog shows and proves that as women we do not have to compromise on our feminine qualities in order to have supportive and strengthening exercises in our lives.
What a great inspirational blog. I love the space that is given to allow exercise to transform not only the body, but the way you feel about yourself. Wonderful.
I wanted to re read this Janet today for some more inspiration. I have found my days just lately are very busy and I have neglected my physical being. I can feel my body would love to do some core exercises to strengthen my centre, bit by bit I look forward to this becoming a regular part of my routine.
In the last year I’ve started exploring exercise again. My previous attempts being rough and harsh with Tae Kwon Do and Dancing games on the console. I’ve yet to be consistent with an exercise routine but now when I do I really enjoy it! The space and lightness I feel going for a walk and the way my body feels great when doing light weights each day this last week feels like fun. So far removed from my previous experiences.
Thank you Janet. I do other forms of exercise and feel that core strengthening is what is missing. I feel much more centred in my body in other ways but feel that bringing a physical focus to strengthening my core would be very supportive. Thank you for the inspiration.
I love the title of this blog, because it sends such a positive message, but it also conveys a surprise in exercise. For so many of us have a fear and or loathing of exercise and so if we are to engage in something gentle but purposeful in the way of core strengthening, the results are often profound and hence surprise us. And not just in the sense that we feel fitter and more able to manage our daily physical tasks. The effects on our overall wellbeing from gentle movement that engages our bodies is amazing, we don’t need to hurt ourselves to feel great, in fact in reality the opposite is the case – exercise should never be painful.
Thankyou Janet, I have recently been feeling to investigate core strength, it feels like an area I need to attend to. A great line, “I did not exercise from a connection to my body, but rather from a discipline and as one of the ‘should dos’ of my day.” This is another inspiring point and something I will explore this week as I exercise – thankyou.
That’s awesome Janet! I know for me, that exercise definitely helps me sleep at night, and helps me wake up in the morning. I’ve always been very inconsistent with it, which I find frustrating, because when I’m in the rhythm of it, I feel so much better in my body, with more energy throughout the day. It’s any wonder why I fall off the wagon with it.
My relationship with exercise has been patchy at the best of times, with my only real commitment was when doing Tae Kwon Do for a couple of years – but this came from a commitment to hardness and hardening my body. Coming back to this blog makes me stop and wonder, by not committing to caring for my body with the exercise and fitness that it needs I feel more rubbish, when my body feels supported I feel lighter and more aware of whats going on in life, more awake. So exercise for me is looking like now – what do I value more, being vital and alive and awake in life going for a walk for and with my body or dulled in negativity and tired walking up the stairs.
When I can feel my whole body then this is something that I am becoming more attuned to because I am learning to feel and appreciate the wholeness of my being. As I develop more awareness of what my senses are bringing to me, my sixth sense is becoming more aware. So that when I feel the stretch and pull of a muscle in any type of gentle exercise this feeling helps me become more relaxed in that area of my body so that at the end of a complete workout my overall strength and vitality has increased. Therefore as all my senses have a greater sensitivity I can then also feel that this body awareness plays a significant role in me being able to connect deeper to my sixth sense.
Letting go of the pictures we hold about exercise being hard and a burden as it is something we must do, allows us to enjoy exercise in connection with our bodies where something simple like gentle walking supports us to live and move in a way that reflects the essence of who we are.
The way I look after my body makes a huge difference to the way I feel and then the subsequent choices I make. It is fascinating to observe the difference that a 15-minute exercise program can make to my day. I am feeling stronger now and will be looking for other exercises to do. The ones I currently use are feeling easy now. There is definitely a spring in my step that wasn’t there before which is great to feel.
Breaking the shackles of believing that exercise has to be tough, and hard hard work is a step forward into exercise and movement that develops our connection with ourself.
Janet I’ve been through a similar journey – though it was the onset of a chronic condition that woke me up to the need to care for myself by offering my body regular exercise. Now I not only appreciate what I am doing for myself, but what this means for the greater quality I am now able to bring to everything I do.
My relationship as a boy was no pain, no gain! It was all about competition and not just beating someone else but beating everyone else. That is what I was taught, it was successful, and it ruined my body as a young man. Roll forwards 20 years, and some serious de-programming and what I appreciate is exercise where my body warms up, I feel flow, but its not torture – and that is the kind of thing I want to do every day.
So, what I can see from this blog, is how much we do actually need to take care of our bodies, so they can feel strong and capable for the challenges of daily physical life, and also how this is integral to the act of letting people in, that is, of letting it be seen how beautiful and strong and capable we all truly are.
Inspiring blog Janet. I haven’t given much attention to exercise over the years either but now have felt the importance of it. I used to think of exercise as hard too like squad swimming training, laps around the oval, athletics and football but I realise I don’t feel I gained any true strength from these, except perhaps swimming which I always felt quite natural at.
Thank you for sharing this Janet. I too always had exercise on my ‘must do because it’s good for me’ list but have gradually come to appreciate that when I exercise in true connection with my body I am deepening my awareness and connection to who I am.
Exercising with the connection to my body is something I enjoy very much too. It is like having a very deep relationship with oneself, a very intimate time to understand the body deeper. The goal is never to have an expectation of how I look or become, but every time it is an unfolding to receive more of myself. It is very delicious and joyful as you too have shared Janet.
I have noticed I am feeling more tired lately and that my back ache has returned. Interestingly I have not been as committed to my exercise over the last few months. I didn’t connect the two until reading your article Janet. I’m going to restart my gentle exercise program.
Life is so different when we prepare our bodies to be able to handle everythung they need to. You’ve defintely inspired me to consider my core muscles more – thank you!
It feels like what Janet is feeling is something that we can always deepen, so that relationship with our bodies through exercise can continually expand as we understand more and more of what is most supportive to us in terms of how we move.
Great point Stephen, and my understanding is that the relationship we have with our body is reflected in how we move our body. Also, every movement is a communication and emanation of the vibration we choose.
Maybe exercise actually means to exercise presence in all that we do – because is this medicine for our bodies.
I want what you’ve got!! Its really inspiring. The best thing about it is that I know its completely my choice, so instead of feeling jealous about something another has worked for and committed to and not actually changing anything for myself, I can use the inspiration I feel to support me to commit to myself.
It has become very clear to me also Janet that looking after our bodies, with all that entails, is vitally important. Just like we can’t neglect our mental health, work life, relationships etc, looking after the body would seem to be foundational to these in many respects. Your blog is a great illustration of that….
I did not hear of core strength before but it sounds great and love to work on my own core strength as well.
It is lovely feeling the changes in your body through exercise, the strength increasing or ability to run up stairs without feeling puffed! You can feel that you are just more equipped to deal with life with a cared for body. I am always amazed how quickly these changes occur and how grateful my body is for regular exercise.
It seems counter intuitive to exercise when you feel tired or flat. Yet it is amazing the effect that even 10 minutes of gentle exercise can have on the way the body feels. Our bodies, like cars love to be moved and looked after so they can run well. More than the exercise, I think it says to myself that I am worth it, I am responsible and committed which is foundational to life.
What you say Janet, makes so much sense. When we look after our physical body of course we will feel more committed and ready for life, your blog is very inspiring and shows us how developing core strength ultimately positively impacts in every area of our day.
This is really cool Janet, I too used to avoid any excess exercise, thinking my job gave me all the action I needed but a daily exercise routine helped me enormously. It was good to read this again as I have let my routine slip away since having an operation and I now need it more than ever as I really do miss my core and stomach muscles.
Very inspiring blog Janet. I too find when I regularly exercise, walk, swim and do my light weights I feel fit for life.
I have noticed that the relative lack of exercise I have been allowing recently has a direct influence on my emotional and mental health as well as the physical. It is ironic that sometimes when I need the exercise the most is when I choose to get away with the least. It is like I am putting my concerns about the outside world above the concerns for my own health. Time to gently make a wiser and healthier choice.
Exercising is considered a burden for many and something that we ‘have to do’ in order to look a certain way or to avoid getting sick, the reason we feel this way is because we hold onto ideals and beliefs about what exercise is all about and once we connect more to our bodies and appreciate the quality within we start to look after ourselves in a different way that is honouring and truly supportive in every way.
Yes, Francisco. When the motivation for exercise is based on our ideals and beliefs there can be no love or real enjoyment in connecting to our bodies, which makes it arduous and often painful.
Yes, well said Bryony. These two ways of approaching exercise could not be more different – one hurts the body and the other supports and strengthens our connection to it.
Janet this blog really brings home to me the importance of developing core strength. These last couple of weeks I have allowed the excuse of being busy to stop me from going to the gym exercise, thanks for the reminder.
“I never would have thought that developing my physical core strength could have changed my life, and also given me a very tangible connection to the essence of who I am.”
Both the physical support that, if offered by strengthening your core but equally the inner confidence that is provided through this connection with your body and the potential grandness of the being within, is profound.
In the past I used to do this too Janet – “I did not exercise from a connection to my body, but rather from a discipline and as one of the ‘should dos’ of my day.” – And I found it hard to motivate myself to do this ‘ to do thing’ – often skipping things and not really feeling any joy. Nowadays I work out in connection to my body, with trainers that listen to what I tell them my body says and adjust the exercises accordingly. I love going to the gym, it is not a chore any more, as I go in joy and exercise connectedly.
I find this inspiring as this is an area that I can bring more attention too. Thank you for sharing.
“I now feel that exercise, and supporting my body through developing my core strength, give me more energy for the day ahead! And as a result I feel more committed to life and more joyful when I wake up in the morning.” – This is just how I feel too Janet, the commitment to life and joy is so much greater these days and my exercises are now done with joy and a good ear to what my body tells me while I am doing them too.
Beautiful, Jane. The fact that your body looks for the exercise program each morning is confirmation that it can be enjoyable and super supportive when done in the right quality.
It is interesting how there is an image that exercise has to be hard, fast, rigorous and leaving you sweaty, and exhausted catching your breath and this picture definitely has the capacity of putting anyone off doing any exercise. Yet as you have shared, simple and gentle exercises are actually extremely beneficial and super caring for the body that has the unique element of deepening connection and inner core strength for the body… and without loosing your breath!
Thanks for being a reflection of vigour.
We live in and work in our body 24/7 and yet often abuse it and give it such a low priority in our life instead say work, study, food, family whatever is more important. However, that is crazy because everything we do is effected by the quality of how we are with our body. Truly taking care of and respecting our body is the best investment we can make and it has massive flow on effects.
Well said, Nicola. A simple truth that we need to keep telling ourselves until we all accept that caring for and listening to the body is the only path to true health and wellbeing.
This is a beautiful reminder Janet ‘I never would have thought that developing my physical core strength could have changed my life, and also given me a very tangible connection to the essence of who I am.’ I am feeling inspired after reading this blog to develop more core strength as this is something I have been feeling to do, and to feel the deeper connection to the body that comes with this.
‘My posture has changed and I can feel that the way I hold myself and move allows a deeper connection to all of my body – my body as a woman.’
Our movement is so much more than we have valued it to be.
Yes I couldn’t agree more, Kylie. The more I experiment, the more I appreciate that through even the smallest movements we can reconnect to the truth in our bodies and the harmony that resides within. There is nothing more powerful than that!
How wonderful that the commitment of working with our bodies echoes into a commitment to life.
Reading your blog again Janet, I also can relate to and say the same: “I never would have thought that developing my physical core strength could have changed my life, and also given me a very tangible connection to the essence of who I am.” The way I can hold my body these days, the way I can handle what comes my way – this core strength has and is making a profound difference in all areas of my life too.
It has been my experience that when we develop a core muscular strength we are in fact confirming the very steady and capable people that we are, able to handle any situation, able to be there for others in times of need, able to adjust to the changing circumstances of life, able to approach life with a practical and non-judgmental view. This is all at the core of who are, and in developing our core muscular strength we are allowing who we are, to be an expression on earth.
Hear hear Shami, so true, this is exactly my experience too.
Yes, well said, Shami. This strength and steadiness in the body supports us to live with these qualities out in the world.
I have come to understand just how essential exercise is to maintain a sense of well-being. You might be feeling sad or angry for example but if you move in a different way then those emotions can actually leave. The way we move our bodies matters a lot.
Yes, Elizabeth, I agree that by changing our movements we can come into a different relationship with our emotions and any stuck patterns in the body. I feel that we generally underestimate the power of this.
I read this post when it first came out and was really inspired, then did nothing. That is until last weekend when I had a private session with an amazing Body Awareness practitioner. I now have a 30 minute exercise program that focuses on developing my core strength and within just 4 days I have felt a massive change in how I feel about myself, my energy, my commitment to life and of course in my body. On the day of the session I could barely lift my legs 1mm off the ground using my core to lift – this morning, without trying to do anything, up they went. I’m still really chuffed about it! What it shows is just how quickly changes occur in our physical body when we live the the commitment we have energetically made. I can’t wait for tomorrow morning now so I can feel my way through the program again. I’ve never felt that way about exercise before. It’s a miracle 🙂
Hi Lucy, I love feeling your joy in re-discovering the benefits of looking after your body in this way.
Janet this is very lovely to read and sit with knowing that I am preparing my body to get back into core strength exercises but doing this in a loving and gentle way. I’ve always been drawn to exercise, but to do it in a way that comes from supporting my body is something that I am loving at the moment, and I know I can continue to deepen each time I exercise.
I have found the same Janet – “I now feel that exercise, and supporting my body through developing my core strength, give me more energy for the day ahead! And as a result I feel more committed to life and more joyful when I wake up in the morning.” I love my exercises now and go joyfully to the gym, developing and feeling my body while exercising. And my days are also full of vitality and joy for life too.
Developing our Core strength benefits the whole body, alleviating the physical strain the body is often under due to poor posture which we are often unaware of until we either support ourselves through exercise and improve our overall body strength, or our body begins to let us know that all is not well through pain and illness.
It’s true, Sally, we often don’t know how much support core strength gives us until we give it a go. It is amazing how quickly the inner strength builds, and the whole body definitely thanks you for it.
True, Amina, paying attention to our bodies and looking after them properly is a basic level of self care that many overlook, and I too used to be so busy in my mind that I ignored the messages my body was giving me. Better to come back to basics ourselves rather than be forced to by having an accident or illness.
This really is an inspiring post Janet, choosing to exercise in this way, choosing to commit to a deepening relationship with ourselves and our bodies makes so much sense.
Core strength is so important in office jobs. having a weak core affects our posture, which affects the way we feel and can lead to structural complications.
Building core strength allows us to align to our true purpose. What an awesome opportunity to build a strong foundation (core) for which we can express all that we are. Sounds super cool to me. Thank you Janet.
I’m super-inspired by your experience Janet. To turn exercise from a ‘should do’ into a welcome and loving part of the day – yes please!
Yes it makes such a difference – I used to feel to I ‘have’ to go to the Gym, but nowadays, feeling the strength and core within and feeling how my body responds, I look forward to my sessions in the gym in connection with my body 🙂
Yes indeed, Lucy. I never imagined in my wildest dreams that I would look forward to doing exercise!
Learning to let go of nervous tension is key, and in building this core strength I feel like I can be me in a body that supports this fully.
Our physical core strength helps us to feel the true strength of ourselves beyond the body. Our body supports all that we are. Support it and we support everything else.
I have typically come at exercise from a view of building a better body, but not so much to support me…more to improve my physical appearance outwardly. What has been interesting about the more I study this behaviour in me is that it invites a constant failure. I never get the body I want and before long am reducing exercise and replacing it with comfort habits that help me to not feel the failure. No surprises before long I am actually back where I started and often worse than, so find myself climbing a big steep slope again. I experienced something similar to what you reference here about the immediate and amazing impact of switching exercises to be for me. The whole routine and approach became a lot more gentle, both in the gym and in the approach, I have identified personal trainers who build programs based upon real support for the body and the support is universal to my whole way of life. Not just massive guns for the sun…Building on this, while working out in this way I actually get a chance to check in with my body and this totally sets me up for the day ahead as I feel super connected with my whole physicality rather than just crushed under heavy weights, sore and sweaty just simply beating my physicality for not being up to scratch of the images I portray in my head.
Yes, I agree, Phil. Exercising to build a better body feels so empty now to me too, when it can be such a loving and connecting activity that sets you up for the day, as you say, to feel gorgeous from the inside out!
Janet, each time I am at the gym and do my balance and core strength exercises I think of you and what you have shared in this blog. It’s an experience of feeling inspired and confirmed! Thank you!
Go, Bernadette! Thank you for sharing. You have inspired me in return to head off now for a lovely swim, to start the day with connection and confirmation as you say.
This kind of exercise is what a lot of us know to be health giving and even possibly life changing but we don’t often follow through to do it or then stay with it. I have found that it can be very supportive to me and I realise that the way I approach exercise has a lot tot do with how my body responds and how I enjoy it. If I take the time to allow myself a settling in my body before I start and keep an awareness on the quality of my movements I enjoy myself so much more.
Well said, Ariana. By opening up to listening and caring for the body more consistently, we do indeed connect to an innate wisdom that can inform and support us throughout the day. The mind is very much at odds with this, and all too often disregards the body, so it is obvious where the true intelligence lies.
There’s a richness and vitality in your words here Janet that jump off the page when I read this blog, and I realise that I know this feeling – of being more ‘solid’ and strong in my body, and yet not at all tough or hardened, as much of the exercise I did many years ago made me feel (hence I gave up on much exercise years ago, except for walking, until more recent times…).
In exercising gently and in a way where I remain fully in touch with my body and the amount I can handle today, I find this deeply strengthening, and truly enlivening – and when I do, I also get to feel more of the woman I am, claimed in this body… It’s not about toughening up or hardening up at all.
It’s very inspiring to read this blog, Janet. Thank-you. I’ve also long-held the negative approach to exercise you talk about, i.e. that I should do ‘more’ because it’s ‘good for me’. Having reached a point in my life where I realise that my body is actually asking for a gentle building of more strength, I feel very confirmed in reading this blog, and ready to commit to exercising parts of my body that have simply not been moved or appreciated enough for some time.
This is such a huge topic to keep coming back to – what true and supportive exercise is and how we can exercise in a way that is in response to the body and not a plan or a schedule or a program.
There is so much to say about the quality in which we exercise, and if we keep listening to our body it actually knows exactly what is needed.
I find that a programme developed for my body does work well for me, as long as I work it in true connection to my body and listening to its messages, adjusting where needed.
It is amazing how much exercise can really support us during the day and as you say Janet there is a difference in how we go about it. For it to be fully supportive to connect to our body, how to move it and feel it while doing the exercises is deeply beneficial and actually feeds us back our natural vitality.
It’s very inspiring to read of your transformation with exercise. It makes sense that we need to help our bodies to prepare for life, and that this will make a difference to the way that we feel in our bodies and also about ourselves.
This is the second time I have read this and felt inspired to build strength in my core… I really want to get onto this now. Thanks for sharing Janet.
When we feel a deeper connection with our body, we are deeper held in the confirmation of our own love.
I haven’t actually connected the feeling of not being abundantly joyful waking up in the morning with not looking after my body in terms of exercise – but it makes sense what you’re saying. Making exercise an exercise where we consider our innermost essence is a game changer for sure and the result is not bulking muscles necessarily but smooth followsome (if there is such a word…) ones that support us being light, vital and joyful.
I used to loath exercise as well and believed I didn’t need any as I do a physical job, but this has all changed by doing similar exercise classes as you Janet and I also realised the importance of connecting to your body first and the wonder of developing core strength, has helped me feel far less tired at the end of the day than I used to after a hard days graft.
Since making a commitment to exercising regularly, I have found my relationship with my body has improved. I like it more and enjoy feeling the strength of it when I move. I am also treating it with more respect and not pushing or driving myself to perform a certain amount of exercise. Some days I do more than others, but its always about what feels best.
Yes, Debra, every day is different and it is important not to prescribe an exercise routine as you say, but feel day by day what is needed, be it stretching, core strength, swimming or a lovely long walk.
I have said many times in the past that I don’t have time for exercise, but the benefits far outweigh the time it takes to even start with a 15 minutes simple routine a few times a week. My experience has also been that exercise make you stronger so that you are better able to do all the physical jobs that life requires, and even though it sounds counter intuitive, I do have more energy in my day.
The distinction between doing something only because you believe it to be ‘good for you’ and doing something because you truly want to connect with your body and nurture yourself is huge. I can see these two approaches apply to many situations and it is clear that choosing to connect to my body and nurture it will allow for great expansion and evolution.
“I now have as a foundation upon which to further deepen and expand my expression in daily life, with a joyful heart and a stronger body.” After reading your wonderful blog it has inspired me to take a deeper look at how I incorporate exercise in my daily routine- do I do it from ‘must do’ or do I do it from wanting a deeper connection to my body?
Exercise is the best way to develop a relationship with your body and it does so much for increasing vitality and general overall wellbeing
I have always exercised quite a bit, but after having met Serge Benhayon exercising is more about connecting to my body and always feeling into what and how much exercise I will be doing that day. Just that builds a stronger, not in terms of muscles necessarily, connection with my body which again has ripple effects all around. Thank you, Janet, for the reminder and opportunity to go even deeper.
Janet, this is beautiful, how your exercise has had such profound ripple effects to other areas of your life: “My posture has changed and I can feel that the way I hold myself and move allows a deeper connection to all of my body – my body as a woman.”
I love how you have developed a deeper connection with yourself simply by developing your physical core strength, ‘I never would have thought that developing my physical core strength could have changed my life, and also given me a very tangible connection to the essence of who I am.’ What you share Janet is awesome and inspiring.
There is a number of things we should all be taught from a very young age that we are not, that make life a lot easier and building and maintaining core strength is one of them. My life has also improved a great deal since strengthening my core muscles and having little or no lower back pain is also one of them. I had a guy work for me that was ex-army and he was always going on about the importance of core strength especially when you have to carry heavy packs for hours on end.
This is very inspiring Janet, from someone who avoided physical exercise to someone who now has the commitment to exercise on a regular basis, and without attending a class. I find it much easier to have commitment to exercise if I have a class with a great teacher to motivate me! ‘I now feel that exercise, and supporting my body through developing my core strength, give me more energy for the day ahead! And as a result I feel more committed to life and more joyful when I wake up in the morning.’
Interesting the beliefs we have in regard to exercise, I used to exercise lots and it had to be ‘effective’, something I could feel was supposedly benefitting my body, either my cardiovascular system, my strength, or muscle tone, but now I can see I was doing this partly to feel good, creating endorphins, but also because of beliefs and or pictures of what it was to be healthy, whereas in reality I exhausted myself with the amount and type of exercise I did, and certainly was not really listening to and honouring my body.
What I love about what you share Janet is the simplicity of the exercises you undertook, it was nothing fancy required, just some simple exercises that you committed to and made part of your daily routine. That is so often the key to building core strength, or any other aspect of fitness, the consistency it is done. And that it is done as a support for the body and not as a punishment where the body has to feel like it has been overcome.
Yes I agree, Stephen, consistency is definitely a key factor with exercising, in choosing to commit to a deepening relationship with ourselves and our bodies, rather than getting fit through discipline and effort, which hurts the body and is unsustainable.
Beautiful- you can feel the difference between the two approaches just through your words.
It truly is such an important key factor- consistency. And I find by having that consistency within my exercises and training it also supports me to maintain consistency in other areas of my life too, it just becomes natural.
Exercise is such an important factor in life. I would say just as an important factor as nutrition.
Building your core feels like such an amazing way to build your foundation not only in the sense of your body but in creating a solid foundation from which to live your day. I feel it is definitely something I too could be bringing to my body, as when I make the space for exercise and movement in my day the quality that I build supports me so much more to bring the all that I am.
I can feel the effect of being consistent in your approach to developing exercise for core strength Janet and find this inspiring.
The inspiration and reflection from Universal Medicine is amazing and is showing the importance of connecting to our bodies listening to it and building this in our daily lives . The core strength from gentle exercise and consistency in the way we live really is such a beautiful way of being and all you share Janet is such an offering of the support and gift we can all give ourselves too.
I love what you’ve shared here Janet, just reading it for the second time recently. I have also initiated a program for myself that is not dissimilar and even after a few days of committing to a certain range of exercises, can feel the difference at far more than just a physical level. Taking care of the body is such an intrinsic part of what allows us to know who we are in full, and yet it is not just in the care, but in the acknowledgement of the fact the body en-houses something so much grander, which if we don’t take the utmost care, is unable to be accessed, or perhaps it is that it cannot access us. Experiencing the relationship between our physical bodies and the grandness of being we are is powerful and profound.
Thanks, Jenny, I love what you have written here – “the body en-houses something so much grander, which if we don’t take the utmost care, is unable to be accessed, or perhaps it is that it cannot access us”. Taking care of the body as part of the process of embodying the soul, gives exercise a key role in our daily lives.
A true intention to build ‘core strength’ is about so much more than just physical strength, and plays out in the most beautiful way in our lives.
I have the same thing Willem, I am prone to skipping exercise, but also do feel to make it part of my daily foundation…. I can feel how supportive that is for my body!
Perfect for me to read this blog today Janet. My body feels in need of building core strength for some time now but I have not done anything about it. Reading your blog has inspired me to take action with the first step being to listen to what my body is asking for – which is; a gentle daily exercise program.
To have core exercise bring about posture change that then supports and …” allows a deeper connection to all of my body – my body as a woman…” is a wonderful discovery bring a deeper intimacy and relationship with oneself. Amazing how core exercising can offer so much more than we realise.
In reading your blog again Janet I am reminded by how important our physical condition and even more of our posture is to our wellbeing. We may think at times that it is all in the head but in truth it is all in the body!
It is amazing how exercising in a way that is very much connected to our body, and thus adjusting our movements in a way that allows the body to not tense up even when we exercise the muscles builds strength in the body without losing the natural tenderness that is there.
It is gorgeous to read how having a core physical strength, achieved with gentle exercise and not pushing or over exertion, can actually lead to a stronger more steady relationship with yourself.
Thank you Janet for great sharing, I am at present doing exercise to develop my core strength also, and I realise that being connected my self before the exercise gives me a completely different feeling in my body. The other day while walking I noticed a beautiful feminine flow to my my hips and legs, it was lovely to feel more of me, it was so joyful.
Exercising and moving the body has also now become something I love. In the past it was all about either “looking good” or “being a good person”. Now I exercise because it feels good.
“….the importance of looking after your body, and developing strength in order to be fit for life.”
What Universal Medicine presents on this subject is revolutionary. No more is exercise about looking good or improving functionality. Exercising and looking after my body is now so much more joyful than ever before, as my relationship with my body and understanding of its purpose deepens.
Well said, Stevie. Universal Medicine brings back the true purpose of many things that have been misinterpreted over time, and exercise is a good example of something that is an important support to the body being made into something that harms us.
Core strength is extremely supportive for the body and it’s vitality, it also is like representing our inner core of who we are and in building a core strength as foundational in our bodies, is in harmony with building an inner strength of who we are and how we approach our lives. Whether it be from a ‘hardness of the should’s or from an inner strength of support, care and wellbeing that we build, from the inside out.
Core strength is something I’ve always taken for granted, but as I’m getting older, I see that I need to attend to it to support me.
The key to exercise as you have shared Janet so beautifully is how we approach exercise and what we bring to it that makes a difference. We can approach exercise as something we have to do, to be fit, the harder the better, and we do feel it’s benefits for some such as feeling ‘fitter’ stronger, but it can also be counter productive to the body such as body pain because we have over done it, or we don’t enjoy it because it is a push, a have too. But when we approach exercise from a point of making it about supporting and caring to our body, knowing it supports us each day in our lives, and having a body with strength, gives us the vitality and confidence to be in our daily lives. I have noticed that as I approach exercise as supportive for me, there is a joy in my exercise, I am more open to listen to my body and what it needs, how much etc.
I have been like you were Janet towards exercise, i avoided it as much as I could, and I could because I had a body that did not ‘look’ like it needed exercise, which is deceptive. But my body did not have that zest and natural fitness. Like you also when I did do exercise it has been more a ‘should do’ rather than an enjoyable, supportive way of looking after this body. What you have shared is in fact inspiring in its simplicity about the importance of looking after your body, in developing the strength in order to be fit for life. Universal Medicine has been presenting this as you share as a way of exercise being supportive so we can be fit for life and you have been working with this, and a timely reminder for me.
Isn’t it interesting when we can feel something is beneficial and supports the body yet we take on board ideals and beliefs from outside of us about it and it changes completely our perspective and we end up not doing it at all. I used to go to the gym when I was in my late teens and the classes were all about working the body hard. I stopped going because I simply wasn’t enjoying it and I haven’t gone to the gym since. Recently I have felt to go back to doing weights and this feeling is building in my body; it’s got to the point where I simply need to say ‘Yes’ in full and act on the impulse.
I can relate to this. Often my body speaks to me, I can feel the impulse, but somewhere I lose the commitment to activating it. I go into my head and talk myself in or out of the situation instead of confirming what I’ve felt and saying yes to it.
Caroline, a few months back I got myself some weights for my arms, which felt really good to do. I did this daily and then all of a sudden the daily routine stopped…. perhaps I have to look at my intention before commencing again!
Exercising and walking is now a part of my foundation which I am finding greatly supports me in my day. What is very different to how I used to exercise is my focus on my connection to my body and developing a relationship with it rather than placing my attention on getting results eg.improving the shape of my body. There is a vast difference and what I am finding is that by exercising in connection to my body the gentle stretches and workout is much more enjoyable and not about ticking another box because it is good for me.
I love this article as an acknowledgment of the impact of the apparently small details we attend to when it comes to taking care of, and responsibility for, our bodies and lives. Attaining core strength was always an out of reach ‘should’ for me but is now a developing part of my physical well being. Thank you, Janet.
As we develop and get to know the quality of our relationships with our own bodies we begin to appreciate that without support, guidance and nurturing we are not really honouring them fully. Exercise is just one part of this rhythm and certainly adds fuel to the tank by way of energy, clarity, joy and vitality…Qualities that I continue to work on fostering and developing on a daily basis.
Thanks Janet for opening up some interesting and inspiring dialogue and questions through your sharing. As Serge often shares “the body is a great marker for where we are at” and the more I listen and observe my body it speaks volumes to me through posture, the way I walk,its strength and general wellbeing….and like any great friendship, it takes developing. I just have to listen and practise more with love.
Janet I love what you have shared, developing core strength gives us the opportunity to connect to parts of our body we would otherwise miss out on, and from that awareness we are able to hold our body more lovingly during our everyday activities without feeling tired.
To exercise core now means for me not just exercising the physical core of my body, but also, through the presentations of Serge Benhayon and Universal Medicine, the core strength of my inner being, my essence and my connection to that.
Beautiful Karina, your words resonate with me today.
“I did not exercise from a connection to my body, but rather from a discipline and as one of the ‘should dos’ of my day.” – This used to be me too quite some time ago now. Now I have a trainer and we work together in connection to ourselves and my body; it is so awesome now that when I feel my body is not ok with certain exercises, my trainer listens and finds another way for my body to get the benefit by doing it differently.
This is a great blog Janet, exercising is very much required to support our physical body. You mention exercising with connection first and this is something I have been very aware of lately. The difference is becoming quite noticeable. The exercise looks the same, but the quality I feel in my body is vastly different.
That link between core strength our posture and not feeling so drained is an important one. The level of tension that we have to take on to support our selves when the right muscles are not working, is huge. Of course, tension saps energy. It brings understanding why we can feel really drained even though sitting around at work and not being physically active.
This is such an amazing read – how much our bodies respond when they are looked after – like in all facets of life. Very inspiring indeed.
I have recently put myself on a bit of an exercise program, where I stretch every morning and walk more – where I would take the short journey in the lift I now take the stairs, and when I can I take myself for a walk in the evening. I have also been increasing my exercises that I do in the morning – and for the first time it doesn’t feel like rules or I have to, but rather something my whole body loves to do – I love walking up and down the stairs because it’s a moment in my day that is for me to build physical strength and conscious presence to support me in my day – the love of that choice then radiates outward into the rest of my day
Developing strength in our physical bodies is just as important as every other aspect of who we are, for with a sense of worth and holding in our bodies we are able to carry ourselves through life and flow in the expressions and movements that feel supportive and true for us. This is a huge learning for me too Janet, thank you for writing your experience so simply, as I have always held back from exercising to support myself because i’ve held back from being ‘too strong all over’ and by this I don’t mean physically strong in any other sense than just my ability to walk tall and solidly through life. If I have been able to keep this aspect of my life ‘weaker’ I have been able to say that I am not as fully amazing as I really am and perhaps am ..not quite there yet. Wherever I think ‘there’ is doesn’t even really have an answer! What you support us all with here is the importance of supporting our bodies, the vehicles of expression that we live with throughout every moment of every day of our lives.
We have so underestimated how important our bodies are! I did for most of my life but I have come to see that my body is a vehicle of expression for my soul and as such I have a new found respect for it.
I know as a health professional I see in the clinic every day examples of people breaking their bodies down with exercise rather than supporting and building them up with exercise. There needs to be a total philosophical shift in how we view exercise and how we go about doing it.
I know for me also it is easy to view exercise as one extra thing to do in the day if I have time left, but one thing I have discovered by committing to a regular daily walking and strength exercise program is just how much it supports my body and supports me to deal with the day. I therefore now truly value my exercise program as an essential part of my daily routine no different to brushing my teeth.
‘Core strength’ can mean much more than just strengthening the core muscles in the abdominal area. It can also mean developing a stronger connection with our core, our essence, our real selves.
Reading your blog Janet it occurs to me that if we exercise from a motivation of developing a stronger connection and awareness of our bodies rather than pushing our bodies hard to look great or perform better (which is how exercise is usually done) the end result is very different.
Yes the impulse behind what we choose to do is very key, in as much as, are we magnifying a discontent with our bodies or an acceptance and appreciation of them?
Janet – your sharing has inspired me to develop my core strength too once I’ve had my baby. In the past I really did not look forward to exercise, and pushed myself a lot, but by simply listening to my body I have enjoyed all different forms of exercise during my pregnancy, and done it with joy rather than with a goal in mind. But now I see it as a deep support for the movement and flow of my body.
Thanks Janet and too true. I used to exercise a lot to look good but it was always a chore. Now I still exercise but it’s an exercise for my day. I know that without the simple stretching and other things in the morning my body doesn’t feel the same. It’s like a time in the morning to check in on a deeper level with all the moving parts of my body to see where they are at. I know that how I am in my day is supported by this exercise and I no longer over exercise like prior. There is no dogmatic structure to it but just a consistent dedication to it because of how it feels. I use to loath exercising but pushed myself because how it looks but now exercise is like brushing my teeth. I can do it or not but I choose to do it because of how it makes me feel.
Thanks Ray, and yes, I feel exactly the same way – “It’s like a time in the morning to check in on a deeper level with all the moving parts of my body to see where they are at.” Exercise is a great opportunity to ‘check in’ on what the body is telling us, through the quality of our movements, about the way we have been living. It is a time to connect, strengthen, deepen, and also have fun!
Whenever I ‘can’t be bothered’ for exercise, I like to consider whether I am actually avoiding exercise or if I am avoiding looking after myself… We often make excuses that we’re tired, pushed for time, not feeling up to it etc., but are we truly feeling to miss the activity or are we trying to escape feeling how our body is at that moment?
Good question, Susie. If we know our body loves the time we give each day to caring for it, we have to ask ourselves why we would not do that. A classic excuse for me was always that I did not have time, but now I am choosing to make time, because the benefits of strengthening the body support me throughout the day in so many ways.
Your blog has made me realise how much I love connecting with my core strength, Janet. With writing these comments I can feel my whole body has fired up. And it makes me aware that there is a solidness and a strength that naturally resides within me and with my body, that I simply haven’t been appreciating enough. Thank you so much for bringing my awareness to this.
I really enjoy bringing my awareness to my abdominal, pelvic and back muscles when I’m exercising. I find it very soothing for my nervous system and consequently a more honest relationship with my body is accessible.
I can also relate to developing one of my core strength areas (so to speak) through this expression program. I can feel how it’s supporting me to develop a strong relationship and ease with my natural expression, and a commitment to not hold back from speaking my truth.
I can feel here Janet how exercise is all about my relationship with myself and any ‘shoulds in relation to it are but an extension of the ‘shoulds’ that exist anywhere else in my life! My commitment to me finds me naturally tailoring my exercise to support myself, not whipping me to perform an empty act so to speak.
I too appreciate the “practical and loving wisdom of Universal Medicine”, Janet. Everything that Serge Benhayon shares with us can be practically applied in our day to day lives. It’s like connecting heaven and earth. This is why this work resonates so deeply with me.
I recently did a gentle exercise class where we led up to simply lifting one foot off the ground – essentially balancing. The instructor said that balancing is about our core. It is not about where we are looking etc but our core strength. Since that class I have been much more aware of my core and how when we walk and move we are lifting our feet off the ground. Our core stabilises us. With physical stability it is amazing how solid we can feel in life.
A great blog and one that I can fully relate to. I too have avoided exercise at all costs and throughout my school years it felt like a heavy cloud hanging over me. Now in my later years I have become more open to what will support my body and it’s interesting that all along my body has been telling me what it needed – and only now have I been willing to listen. I also found it a great support to have a program to support me that wasn’t about competing with others – or myself, but one that allowed me to connect and make decisions from what my body was telling me. Attending exercise classes at ‘Creative Health & Rehabilitation’ was a wonderful starting point and support and I deeply appreciate what they offer.
The way I now commit to working on my inner core muscles is actually quite similar to how I have committed to appreciating who I am at my own inner essence and core.
Wow! Thank you Janet, I fully appreciate what you have expressed.
Life for my generation has always shown us the reality that we need to keep our bodies fit. My grandfather was one of the first of his age to be some sort of fitness fanatic and he was born in eighteen ninety-five (1895), rare for that time but this was all about strengthening the body. My grandfather’s generation was all about working hard to support the family. There is a great “importance of looking after your body, and developing strength in order to be fit for life.” As long as there is a commitment to life, with a true purpose to be of service to humanity without the slightest thought of self, we can truly stay connected.
“Eventually I started an exercise routine to include walking and swimming, but from a negative perspective that exercise was something you had to do that was apparently good for you.” Very much so, I agree Janet this is very much an old attitude that is also aligned to ‘no pain, no gain’ and the way I used to train. I am very much now looking forward to totally re-imprinting my exercise routine so I can also “expand my expression in daily life, with a joyful heart and a stronger body.”
For more on exercise go to;
http://www.unimedliving.com/search?keyword=EXERCISE
lt makes sense when you think about it..core strength…it would be life changing because it is the very core of you being accessed in every sense of that word. The very essence of you.
Our core is just that, the centre of our strength. Developing strong limbs is nothing if they do not have a core to work from. Develop it and strengthen it and we are able to support ourselves in all we do in our lives much better.
I love core and I love core building exercises that truly strengthen in the right way as I can feel how this is feeling in the body in all I do and how I feel and in the way I express or read a situation. it allows for much more clarity and a deep sense of connectedness too.
I find regular moderate exercise has many benefits including vitality, alertness and it also reduces craving for sugary and unhealthy foods
A very timely message for me to take note of. Thank you Janet.
Exercising and building core strengthe is enjoyable and not hard work. I love this reminder Janet, thank you.
I find this blog very inspiring to read I can relate to doing exercise as a discipline and even then it has been something I can’t sustain. My experience has been that exercising from a connection to my body feels totally different bringing a vitality, clarity and light to my day.
All that driving oneself to achieve fitness and build a core seems to do the exact opposite. If we see the core of ourselves as our energetic whole, body, heart and soul, and know that we are building that connection, then there is no way we can abuse our bodies by pushing them to do more than they are telling us, whereas striving to achieve, straining and damaging muscles, and pulling ourselves into a fixed alignment, feels like a personal and arrogant desire to be how we want ourselves to be just physically, rather than following the natural flow of the body that comes from the movement we have chosen to align to revealed to us by the body, bringing ourselves into a union, body/soul.
I also relate to how it used to be, just like this: “I did not exercise from a connection to my body, but rather from a discipline and as one of the ‘should dos’ of my day.” This was so true for me as well, however now, in connection to my body and all that comes with it, this has become a very different way of exercising for me and one I truly enjoy.
Exercising and developing the core within us serves us to be in service to all that we are in service to, basically our life and that of others. A strong core developed with loving awareness is something that I am practising too and the inner strength that I can feel is developing in its own loving pace.
This is great Janet, I also always feel a resistance to excercise, but am coming to see more and more what an important point this is to take into my day, and feel the beauty that is within, through truly caring for all that I am, and I feel very strongly, my body needs excercise.
Yes, Benkt, it is incredible how strong the mind can be when it holds a belief, such as resisting exercise in this instance. But now that I am listening more to the body, it tells me every day that it wants to be active and build strength. As a result I feel much more vital and have a natural spring in my step.
Well said Janet. The ‘should dos’ simply harden the body from the resentment at the set task. Embodying Love in movement changes everything and the body responds in the most incredible way.
I like that, Jenny – “Embodying Love in movement” allows the body to lead rather than the mind and its pictures of what exercise should be like. It re-orientates us so that every movement becomes an opportunity to connect to the quality of our being.
Many people’s relationship with exercise is a fraught one – either really revisiting any form of exercise, or doing it out of a need to change the way they look – bigger bum smaller tum etc. But what your sharing is that there is a relationship with it to be had that sees the support exercise has to offer and I know that it is something I need to implement far more in my life.
Understanding what our core is has been an amazing process for me playing with exercising with focus and care and making it a part of my expression not something i join in or someone instructs me to do but me listening to my body has been an incredible experience.
I agree with you Janet and I would like to share following on from your inspiration, I have been doing core strength exercises for the past 4 months and stopped recently due to illness. It has not totally been focused to all core strength exercises but it has brought a whole more awareness to this area of my core. It has been 2 weeks since I have not done any of this exercise as I am still recovering however, I can feel how much my body is still there if not more astute and ready to begin again with this time round being more motivated than before from my core my essence.
Being able to develop core strength is so important, but being able to commence, stick at and feel good about doing so, can be another story. So hearing Janet how you have made that leap from feeling guilty and pushing yourself to do exercise, to wanting to build a body of strength but from a loving place is very inspiring. This is something I have still been working on with myself, so this has been a great timely read.
Refining the reason and drive for me taking exercise is a constant process. Even all the mirrors that are in gyms can be a challenge – am I looking at my body in critique or am I looking at me…or am I looking at everyone else in the gym – in judgment or comparison?! It’s super important that we stay focused on the service and purpose of taking exercise when surrounded by the fiercely imposing images and expectations that are foisted upon us about how we should or shouldn’t be. I exercise so that I can then go and be everything I am in the world. This is obviously ever evolving and refining – but the initial purpose is constant.
Thanks Otto, I love this -” I exercise so that I can then go and be everything I am in the world.” Exercising and developing core strength is a way to claim our purpose in life, ensuring that we have a body that can deliver everything that is needed. It also provides us with constant opportunity to refine the quality with which we move and express all that we are.
I find exercise is something that always reflects how much I am connected to myself and how much I am willing to be connected. Definitely exercising adds to vitality when done as you describe Janet, and it is a revelation when it becomes something you want to do and enjoy. I find I have an oscillation with this process and it is an ongoing relationship.
Developing core strength does hold yourself more in a foundation of connection with your essence. Core strength exercise is the illustration of true health knowing that the quality of your expression is dependent upon this as Janet so simply and exquisitely expressed.
I used to do exercise with a drive and a push to fit the ‘being fit’ picture but since attending Universal Medicine and the presentations by Serge Benhayon and making my life about a relationship listening and caring for my body this all changed around. Exercise for me now is all about supporting my body and connecting to it whilst doing the exercises. I absolutely love this time of the day and make sure that I have the space to do this. It feels completely different to the way I used to exercise and I am more vital and alive for doing so.
Janet, I can relate to you having done exercise in the past from ‘a must do’ or it is ‘good’ for me, but then it has felt as a chore to do it. Nowadays, thanks to Natalie and Curtis Benhayon I am aware that it is the connection with the body first that makes all the difference to how you feel in the end- more vital or exhausted and in pain.
One thing i’ve learned about the importance of exercise and movement, is that quality connection to the body brings strength to life as well as strength to the physical body. And that to exercise the body in connection, is to exercise life in connection too. Which brings a solidness and spaciousness to whole life.
I love to walk but know that my body requires more and have been avoiding it. Thank you Janet, I am inspired to explore this myself.
“I did not exercise from a connection to my body, but rather from a discipline and as one of the ‘should dos’ of my day” – so true Janet, I was the same. I always exercised from about aged 16, and enjoyed the rush of endorphines after a class. I was also very regimented about going and very hard on myself if i missed a class, about 4 per week. I then had a few years of zero exercising, before then re-introducing exercise from a point of connection and following developing love for myself and body. The change was remarkable. Even though when I exercised in the past, i can recall feeling more confident in my body through its usage, then to contrast that with no exercise such that when exercise was re-introduced, the most salient point i noted was confidence returning….though this time the confidence came from a more true place because of this body-connection, as opposed harsh discipline like my former past.
Having your core strength hold you up does completely change your relationship with your body. I know exactly what you are talking about. Our posture really does affect how we feel on every level – how we breathe, our thoughts and emotions. It’s quite extraordinary. And the way we achieve core strength is equally important. If we go hard then we feel hardened, if we go gently we feel strong. Big difference.
Thanks, Jeannette, I love how you highlight the benefits here of developing core strength, not only physically but with regards to thoughts and emotions. To feel my core supporting me throughout the day has made such a difference in relation to my levels of anxiousness, because I feel stronger, more resilient and confident in how I interact with the world.
“If I was already feeling tired, the last thing I would want to do is put further strain on my body.” I know this one oh too well. When I’m in this state I slow right down and keep my movements simple and with me, allowing what is simply there to impulse me. The energy of tired becomes the less focus and rejuvenation through my connection becomes my key to holding myself. Being and honouring myself this way my body will let me know how to be not my wavering ‘tired’ thoughts and what is true for me.
Janet, you have indicated that the key ingredient in exercise is connection first, for without connection, what is actually moving the body. There are many images of health and wellbeing, in fact, we are overrun and swamped by them, which lead us away from feeling the fullness of who we are.
Well said, Matthew. I can see now that I did not enjoy exercise, in fact finding it painful, because I was not connecting to my body and feeling what it needed. Now exercise is a way of deepening that connection and enjoying the experience of my mind and body working together. And feeling the gentle quality of my movements is super gorgeous.
My own relationship with exercise is pretty strong but I can also feel there is a tendency to want to avoid the very thing that supports me on some occasions. I feel this is a common trait, perhaps fed by the inbuilt belief that exercise is hard, when in fact it can be fun and very playful. I loved to hear your sharing Janet as it was such a simple process, how the exercises revealed a huge support for you in your day and how that support inspired a willingness to commit to making exercise part of your life.
Janet this sounds quite similar to my relationship with exercise, certainly something I’ve avoided at all costs yet when I am committed and exercising the difference I feel in my body is amazing. It’s funny that the choices we could make that really support us to enjoy life are often the ones we avoid the most.
Janet, after reading your blog at the beginning of my week I was inspired to do some core strengthening exercises at home and I can feel a difference already after 3 days. I will continue to do this and share what it feels like. I have been putting this off for a long time knowing that this part of my body needs the most attention, love and care. Now I am taking more responsibility for my body from being hugely inspired by you. Thank you!
Thanks for sharing this, Chan. It is amazing how quickly the body responds, and that it is possible to feel the muscles strengthening through movement. But of course the single most important factor as you say is the attention, love and care you are giving your body, which feels beautiful and joyful as you are bringing out a deeper quality of being from within yourself.
It really is our commitment to the simplest of things that frees us from unnecessary complications in life.
How powerful are our bodies when we work with them, rather than against them.
It is great to read your blog Janet and I totally agree with you. Developing a relationship with exercise is great. Developing core strength is such a huge support to the whole of the body, literally and physically. As I exercise this area of my body I can feel how much it relates to my commitment to the whole of my life.
It is so lovely to exercise feeling my body as I move, appreciating how all the parts move in harmony to support each other.
I know that feeling of doing exercises as a discipline Janet. For me it was laborious, no fun and never lasted more than a few weeks. I would then berate myself for giving up before some months later going through the whole cycle again. Working in connection with my body is a whole different experience and supports me to stay in connection with me long after the session is over.
Very inspirational blog Janet in which I agree wholeheartedly with. I started doing 10-15 minutes of light weights each day as well as walking, the weights have made an enormous difference to my well –being. I have been doing session work since 5.00 am this morning and I just completed 11 sessions, most being Esoteric Breast Massages which is pretty strenuous on the body and remember I am 57 years and I feel as good as I felt at the beginning of the day. I know this is because I support my body with exercise.
In the past I’ve exercised a lot, swimming, walking, playing football, tennis, cycling, going to the gym. But looking back always from a ‘have to’ and in a very competitive way. Doing all this to prove myself being ‘the best’ (according to what or who…), ‘proving me to me’ and to be recognised and accepted (fit in) by society.
When I heard about gentle exercising I stopped doing (any) exercising, except for walking. As I made the decision from discipline – with a very caring intention – I took on a few more ideals about what is good and what isn’t. Now, I’m learning that exercising is a personal choice that I do for me. And if I want to enjoy it, it requires a connection with me and my body. I’ve bought dumbbells and irregularly I’m using them at the moment. But whenever I choose to use them, listen to my body while exercising, my body responds immediately. As if ‘it’ is feeding me back instantly.
For me reading your blog dear Janet and reflecting on my choices in regards to exercising I’m realising how I can still develop a more loving relationship with myself and my body. Thank you for your sharing.
What is described here is building a quality of relationship with our bodies that is caring and supportive rather than applying rules and routines of how to be healthy which are difficult to maintain.
In reading this blog it makes so much sense that if I care for this body that holds my essence then I am more easily able to connect with it and express it more readily through my day. In essence build and connect with my inner core both physically and as a being!
I really appreciate the simplicity of what you have shared here Janet of exercising from the connection with your body. I find I tend to feel that my body wants to walk or swim, then I try to make a roster that I exercise too…which I never execute. This blog allowed me to feel there is no need to plan ahead. If I am in connection with my body and rhythm I will know when its time to walk, this way feels more like a gift I can bring to my body should I so choose.
The awareness that you raise with your blog Janet should be spread widely. Today I saw the headline of a women magazine ‘Killerbody’ along with an image of how that should look like. I shared with a friend that it felt more like ‘Kill our body’ pushing it to become like a certain picture instead of honoring the natural beautiful different unique bodies we have. I believe that exercising with a true intention to connect to and support our body will automatically bring our body into our natural shapes which is unique and different for everyone.
The days I don’t exercise I feel totally different in my energy levels and my confidence. Exercise is a way that we can truly support ourselves to be at our full potential in our day. To not exercise is a way to hold ourselves back or sabotage our day. There’s nothing better than feeling strong, tall and physically capable of dealing with our day and it’s amazing that exercise can bring this!
Thank you Janet, it is the perfect timing for me to read your blog at this moment, because I can completely relate to everything you have written about feeling that exercising is hard and exhausting and I also would depend on discipline instead of connecting and feel what my body needs. It is so inspiring to read your experience of exercising in a way that truly supports your body and the ripple effect it has in your life.
I enjoyed reading your story Janet. It reminded me how wonderfully supporting it is to have a strong fit body that can be built out of exercising regularly. With what intention we approach exercise makes a big difference. Working with the body is a good thing.
It’s very inspiring Janet to read about the positive changes that you have experienced to your health and wellbeing as a result of regular exercise.
One may ponder on how much physical core strength is or can be related to inner strength. Exercise as such will strengthen the body but only through connection and a loving relationship with oneself will it also further the inner quality as you have experienced.
A lot of people refer to exercise or sports as a means of feeling themselves, coming back to themselves again after e.g. a working day or as time off from family etc and of course that is a valid experience. But this doesn´t necessarily consider the quality in which those activities are performed and the effect they have on the body. In my observation exercise only truly benefits body and being when the quality is loving, caring and honouring the body otherwise, there will be sooner or later negative effects even when first the exercising is experienced as pleasurable. It all comes back to the quality we move in, a topic humanity is only in the very beginning of considering.
The difference is the kind or quality of relationship we have with our body that we either enjoy and truly support ourselves with exercise or use exercise to relieve us from some form of tension with life, creating stimulation and identification and or trying to live up to a certain image we idealise.
I too have always taken for granted that my body should be capable of executing the daily chores without me actually needing to look after it or support it with the right food or exercise. Although there is a great awareness through the health and fitness industry that sports and food are crucial for our health and well-being I always had difficulties implementing that into my life or at least not in a way that was enjoyable and really supportive.
I used to think that developing core strength was about being able to do LOTS of sit-ups quicker than anyone else in the exercise class. I’ve now discovered that it’s not about ticking off a list or a program that comes from an external source or picture, but about working with my own body in a way that is not about a set of ideals or a set number of reps or working with a specific weight, but about choosing to exercise – including with some light weights and with a range of core exercises – in a way that supports me in my day to day activities… And so the purpose becomes not to ‘get’ or ‘keep’ fit or look a certain way, but simply to support ‘me’ !
To commit to your body and honouring what you needed in the way you did Janet, is very inspiring.
Inspiring read, thank you Janet! I love when you say ‘… as a result I feel more committed to life and more joyful when I wake up in the morning’ This is profound, given the lack of joy and lack of commitment to life that is evident in our global health statistics. It’s testimonies like these that need to be front page news!
There was a time when I was doing exercises because I was overweight and my cholesterol was on the rise, so it was a chore that had to be faced. The classes were not right for my level of fitness, and I was totally forcing myself to go through the motions, watching the clock all the time. I derived little benefit and developed a dislike of gyms. However I have since found that once I get into the rhythm of regular exercise my body always wants more, as long as I move in connection with my body, and not from any force.
Thank you Janet, you are an inspiration to all the people, probably the majority, who see exercise as something to fit in and are missing out on the joy and empowerment to everyday life it brings. It is a case of the more you do it the easier it is to do and it never needs to be an addiction – just something you love as part of loving yourself.
Just in the middle of a huge bit of physical work, catering for endless hours for hundreds of people… and really appreciating the strength in my body, and in the way that I live, that is supporting me. Having done it a few years in a row I recognise what has been built.
Thank you Janet this blog is very inspiring to read. Even though I walk regularly your blog is a beautiful reminder that including exercise such as core strength can support the body to feel more energised, improve posture and allow a deeper connection to yourself.
Janet what I can feel from your blog is how the intention and quality in which we choose to do things such as exercise makes all the difference in the world. There is a great tendency to check out while we exercise. fe. by watching tv while we do it, or listening to music or just being caught up in all kinds of thoughts and fantasies. In this way we cannot feel the quality in which we move which is actually much more important than the movement itself. I have found that if I am really connecting to my body as I exercise I feel more and more of how my body responds and it will feed me back a way of moving that is very much in flow, fluid and tender and in this I get to feel more of myself.
There is a such a difference in exercising from a must, or a belief that it should be hard and sweaty to be good for you and exercising in connection with our bodies. I used to play sports at a high level and in this time my body would get injury after injury. Now that I am exercising in a way that helps my body to be open, tender and flexible I am building strength without ever having a pain or a strain.
Janet, your blog got me thinking about core strength, exercise and appreciating how the strength I have in my body supports me in so many day to day actions. Whenever I have become unfit and a little weak everything does get a little harder and exercise becomes unpleasant. I have also learnt that we don’t need to be anywhere as near as strong to benefit from strengthening exercises as a lot of mainstream ways of exercise leaves us feeling. There seems to be a very big gap with some people avoiding exercise, the actual muscular strength that supports our day to day activity and the strength that many fitness regimes require such as group fitness classes at the gym, many forms of yoga and boot camps.
Janet thank you for sharing your experience around exercise which I feel many of us (men and women alike) can relate to, particularly not joining the dots and fully appreciating the true purpose of exercise “about the importance of looking after your body, and developing strength in order to be fit for life”.
There is so much more to exercise than we think – it isn’t just a way to ‘get fit’ or change the way our body physically looks, lose weight, get stronger etc., but by choosing to exercise to support ourselves means that we have to spend time actually looking after our bodies, thus giving us something to appreciate and a foundation for a deeper self relationship.
Very true, Susie. Every time we commit to caring for our body brings us into an ever deepening relationship with ourselves, a connection that supports us on so many levels throughout the day.
What greater investment do we have than the body we live in every moment of every day?
This is super inspiring Janet. It’s interesting how most of our motivation for working on our bodies or fitness comes from wanting to change our looks – we see advertisements and billboards everywhere promoting this.
In your sharing you can feel that deepening our fitness to support the quality of the way in which we live is an entirely different world. And one that requires very little effort, but supports us on every level.
I love to walk and a day doesn’t feel quite right to me now if I haven’t had one. Some days if I’m tired, it may be short or just a stroll, and others, it is a longer and more brisk a walk. I’ll usually do this in the morning, and often, it is incorporated into how I get to work and I choose to get off the bus a few stops earlier so I can walk the rest to work. I love this as part of my day, and I feel each day how and when I’ll have my walk.
“I did not exercise from a connection to my body, but rather from a discipline and as one of the ‘should dos’ of my day.” – I relate to this Janet. We are told that exercise is an important part to staying healthy, but the missing piece is that it is often done from an obligation and wanting to look a certain way rather than from what feels good for our body on any given day.
I too have recently begun to take time to make space in my day to walk and exercise and I agree Janet it does make such a shift in how you can feel. I am fascinated by what you share and feel how supportive developing core strength can be in establishing a solid foundation from your body – by building our bodies lovingly in this way it makes sense that we then have more energy and thus can bring more of ourselves to the world.
I have reread this today in an attempt to motivate myself to do some exercise, its easy to get caught into avoiding or thinking I can’t fit in proper exercise, when I am doing big hours at work. Last time I read this gem of a blog it got me back on the exercise train so thank you again.
I never knew what core strength was either until being inspired by Serge Benhayon and the teachings and revelations that he shares. It makes complete sense, like all that Serge presents, it makes complete sense to have a body that is fit and healthy then you are going to be vital and energised for the days and what they hold. But the most I have be come aware of by doing my exercises and it has been different levels of commitment along the way, is that it makes me feel super connected to my body and a foundation that is solid and strong.
It may sound crazy but I have noticed that I use not exercising as a way to bring down how light and connected I feel. When I exercise, as has been shared, I feel more vital, lighter and stronger and get through my day with ease and joy.
When I feel like this I notice that I can subtly back off from the exercise, just to tone it down a bit.
I can feel in the past that I have been very similar to you Janet. I have put little energy or care towards my body, treating it as though it should just perform when I need it to, and otherwise bringing all my focus to my mind. I never really enjoyed exercise in the past and it was always done for an external reason, such as how I wanted to or believed my body should look. It has been revolutionary to discover that my mind never considers my body in its ‘brilliant’ thoughts and plans, which were often quite harmful and overriding of my body. I have also loved discovering and been quite humbled by how incredibly smart my body is- way smarter than my mind! It just naturally knows a harmonious way of being and moving that I haven’t consciously clocked. I love that I don’t have to control this or know how it works and can just surrender to and follow my body.
It was so important to name the belief that has run so many of us in the past when it comes to exercise. We either avoid exercise or we do it but we don’t really want to do it. We go to the gym, run or swim because we have been told its good for us, or out of fear of what will happen to our health if we don’t. I often see this in the faces of people at the gym. They do not seem to be having fun or enjoying their body, the strength or movements. To me it actually looks more like self-punishment than anything else. Sometimes when people are with a trainer I also see resentment and blame, like they are so annoyed at the trainer for making them do all this exercise (they are ironically paying the trainer to motivate them to do). One of the most valuable things I have learnt from Universal Medicine and experimenting with my own body is how harmful it is to do something in an unloving energy, like exercising because you should. It is a completely different experience when you do it for you, and enjoy the connection with your body.
I loved your last sentence Janet. ‘Forever inspired by the practical and loving wisdom of Universal Medicine.’ The practical nature of what has been presented consistently by Universal Medicine over the years is one of the things I most treasure. Although the energetic foundation to everything in life is always underneath any teaching, there is no airy-fairy spiritual nonsense. It always comes back to the body and how we treat and nurture it, as an individual and then how this affects the whole. It is so simple and practical that the logical mind and stubborn spirit can’t say no.
‘My posture has changed and I can feel that the way I hold myself and move allows a deeper connection to all of my body – my body as a woman.’ This is gorgeous Janet and makes sense. Our posture is an angle in the body so of course the way we hold the body is determining the depth of connection we can have with ourselves and God. What energy we are aligning to is all determined by the level of connection and that connection being supported by the vitality we feel. From experience, if I have treated my body badly and it is communicating that fact, it is hard to connect with that because it feels yucky. If the body is fit and alive with love and care, of course we are going to want to be with that feeling and do what we can to support it.
Deeply inspiring Janet – I am certainly in the same boat as you WERE. Not really finding the time or the need to do much physical activity. I’m sitting down for most of the day either driving or in front of a computer and I know how important it is to move my body in a way the helps strengthen it to do the work I need. At the moment I get really tired and I can understand that may have a lot to do with core strength and stamina.
Thanks Rachael, that’s really honest and yes even sitting at a desk all day requires core strength so we do not compromise our posture and get back or neck ache.
Why is it that we make life and all the other things more important than exercise which actually supports us in doing all of those other things. It should be the number 1 not the last on the list.
Thanks for the awesome reminder that I just got from reading your blog. I used to exercise regularly and even wrote a blog about it too, but just recently I have started a new full time job and along with all the other projects, business, parenting roles etc etc I had let the exercise drop. I can feel that I am tired and I had not put the pieces of the puzzle together. I have been walking but not actually exercising my body to be with me. Now… I need to get off the screen and go do some exercise! Thank for the inspiration.
Perfect! Just the support I needed to read. I too have always approached exercise from a ‘have to’ and it has therefore been something that I have picked up and put down (and then left down) for all of my life. The crazy thing is that when I do exercise regularly – even going for a walk daily, I feel stronger and more energetic, more positive and more committed to life in general. When I don’t, the memory of how great I feel when I do gives me an excuse to feel bad about myself with then further cements the choice not to exercise. Both are a cycle – one a vicious hamster wheel, the other a loving, ever-expanding spiral.
My feeling is that to develop core strength in the true sense of what that truly means is to become very centred in every aspect of our being and to be much less rattled by life than would be the case if we do not build that awareness in our body.
I love the expression ‘fit for life’ because it is so true – we need to make sure our body is fit enough to support us in our daily lives. I work in a big city and frequently have to walk to and from buildings, up stairs, etc and by making sure I’m fit enough for this, it’s no problem at all and I really enjoy that I get to move around during the day and I’m not chained to a desk all day.
Wonderful blog Janet. I know for a fact that when I exercise in the morning, a gentle gym session and/or a walk, I have more energy for my day, my body feels stronger and I feel supported in what I need to do. If I’ve got a very full day of meetings at work, I make sure I exercise before work and eat lightly during the day and I feel less tired at the end of the day.
This is so inspiring Janet. I exercise but do not do exercises particularly for core strength. This has made me want to explore this more. Thank you.
I didn’t realise how our movements play a significant part in our thought processes and therefore our ongoing and future movements of our body. When we don’t move in connection we have the potential to move in a way that is counter supportive to our body and therefore open up the chance to be out of rhythm with natural movements and adding unnecessary load onto our body.
I find it interesting that posture changes as we exercise, developing core strength is a basic requirement that we are not always taught in schools, in fact many of us give up on PE as soon as we can, to avoid exercise, or we take up extreme sports that don’t truly nurture our bodies. Taking care of our body affects our way of thinking, changing our posture changes our thinking and feeling – I can slouch and feel depressed and bored or I can sit up and feel alert. Our bodies are what support us to live, it’s only sensible that we take great care to keep them in peak condition so that we can do what we came here to do.
When I started to exercise regularly, my relationship with my body completely changed. Exercise has helped me to feel empowered and connected to my body in a very tangible way. Once I felt the support that exercise offered me, it has then been easy to commit to it because it feels so amazing to actually be in my body opposed to being caught up in thoughts, which is how I spent most of my life previously.
It’s interesting that you are talking about ‘core strength’ in the way you are Janet. the word ‘core’ comes from the Latin ‘Cor’ which means ‘Heart’ (in French ‘coeur’). When we exercise for true health it must be from the heart otherwise it’s sharing the body in some way.
Janet, It’s so refreshing to read an article about exercise where the person is not punishing and flogging themselves doing it! To actually begin to feel the beauty and grace of a movement that actually exercises the body is really something. I’m inspired.
Great blog Janet – very practical and inspiring. We can get caught in a catch 22 of not wanting to exercise because we are tired, but then miss out on how exercise can benefit and support our body throughout the day so as to not feel so tired! I am starting to slowly work on building up my core strength as well and it is the initial work that can feel the hardest. I am taking it slowly and as consistently as I can, and not pushing my body too hard in order to start this relationship with my body.
Janet it is so gorgeous to read your blog again and really appreciate how you have developed core strength to support you and not as an ideal.
As I am in my final months of pregnancy, I’ve not done any core strength work, but I felt to a couple of months before I became pregnant. And I can really feel how building this strength has supported me throughout my pregnancy, and when it feels right to return to building on this, I will 🙂
Janet this is such a great article confirming how much we can learn by staying open to what is going on in bodies, changes can be subtle or big and they reflect so much.
Thank you Janet, relating to our physical body in this way changes everything about our relationship with our true self.
I wonder how much exhaustion we could actually help to reduce just simply by regular exercise of our core muscles – to be fit and capable to handle the physical demands of our daily life. What your sharing is great – to not exercise from a tick box but from a want to support the body.
It’s cool that it is called core strength too – underpinning the fact that it is not only physiologically central but also central to our health and well-being.
I returned to your blog this morning Janet, and observe why it is I’m not naturally moving towards a gentle exercise routine with and for my body every day at home. I used to exercise regularly then stopped, restarting has been the problem. On reflection, I see how I chose to prioritise other things, and neglected my body, but now feel the importance of making space for me and my body every single day. Now when I go to press the re-start button, I do so with understanding, without this I may start and stop again. Wow, got there! Thanks Janet.
Beautiful Janet, what you’ve shared makes a lot of sense, and while l’ve done a lot of core strength work over the years through the gym and pilates classes (briefly), it seems the key difference you’re relating is in the relationship you’re developing with your body through this. Thank you, it’s very refreshing to hear stories like this where you are not flogging yourself in some way to be fitter or better.
Exercising with connection and focusing on core strength is a wonderful way of deepening the relationship we have with ourselves and, deepening self love
Agree Janet, Strength and resilience are noticeable qualities felt within the body, when exercising with connection. It a great feedback loop that seems to happen, from honouring the need for the body to be exercised, and then the body feeding you back with the feeling that it will never let you down, that it is always there for you.
I can relate to what you share re exercise as being another chore or “must or should do”. I walk regularly with connection to my body and it feels very energising and freeing in the body. You have inspired me to look at core strength next.
Another note also, is that by virtue of our movement our lives are deepening. If we walk in hardness, our lives will acquire hardness. If we walk in anxiousness our sleep will be anxious also. It is so simple – just so much misunderstood because we are blown away by these simple facts – that hold nothing less or more then our own responsibility.
Very beautiful Janet, what is enriching to read is that through your body you had found yourself – your true essence. This is quite the opposite of what we have been taught in our early years, as all the ways we have been taught to walk, talk, move and breathe. This time it is a different way around – and see truly what we have and how we can live it.
Being in connection with our own bodies is an intimacy that brings deep support and joy, for the strength we feel comes from the confirmation of who we are. The resolution to not exercise, I too know very well from a young age, and it was a resolution to not connect with myself, and in that I kept myself from the joy that I know, how crazy.
For many years I was the ultimate gym bunny for all the wrong reasons. Wanting quick results at the expense of my body. I too have noticed a change in my posture since exercising in a more gentle way to myself and my body. I still work up a sweat but I don’t feel anxiety afterwards, my sleep pattern and general well being has improved. There are so many ideals and beliefs regarding exercise it is no wonder when you observe people in the gym they look totally exhausted because they all want the perfect body.
Janet I must admit I have been like you on ignoring working on my core strength, but you have now inspired me to give it a go.
There seems to be lots of benefits to working on fiery strength, from a health perspective., and energy wise.
For me exercising also came from a discipline and also from a need to change my body shape. Every time I walked into the gym I was actually telling my body that it was not good enough and that it needed to be more slim, fit or whatever. Nowadays when I go to the gym, I go to support my body but also to connect with other people. I love going to the gym and even though I feel I could go more often, I am inspired now to wake up tomorrow and do some exercises myself at home!
I love reading this blog Janet simply because you hear so much negative things about exercising and it is often done from that ‘it is apparently good for my attitude’. What you are sharing is that when we build our body’s strength all areas of our life benefit from it and that it is a joy to do this. This is so different from the wanting of a more toned body as you hear so often or to loose those calories just ingested by eating fastfood or something and exercising for that reason.
“I never would have thought that developing my physical core strength could have changed my life, and also given me a very tangible connection to the essence of who I am” Reading this has given me much food for thought and inspired me to revisit my commitment to exercise and, in particular, some core strength exercises. Thank you Janet.
Oh Janet, you have shone a light on something I have a love/hate relationship with. I really love doing exercises but I am so slack at sticking to a regular routine. I always get enthusiastic when doing an exercise program but as soon as it finishes – so do I. I know, never ever give up!
I find that by developing core strength my shoulders have been able to drop and my neck release and my arms swing more freely and my back straighten and I have a new sense that my core supports all of me and I can relax upon its strength. All achieved with gentle exercises just like you have shared Janet.
’My posture has changed and I can feel that the way I hold myself and move allows a deeper connection to all of my body – my body as a woman.’ – Indeed, to attend to your body in such an honouring way allows a deeper connection to our entire being.
What your sharing is so important – I think a lot of people could relate to resisting exercise – why bother when you already feel tired, its just another thing taking up time etc. But then there are also those who make exercise their whole lives, really pushing their limits. What you have shared is that there is a balance between the two – a place where connecting to your body and exercising from there keeps you fit for life, whilst not hardening the body.
What you reveal here Janet is the reason why we simply don’t manage to keep up a loving and supportive exercise pattern “I did not exercise from a connection to my body, but rather from a discipline and as one of the ‘should dos’ of my day”. I have found connecting deeply to the way I move in exercise, to the tender and attentive quality I am able to move in, feels so lovely that I look forwards to exercise rather than it being the dreaded ‘should do’!
Like you Janet I too have found great benefit in developing my core strength; by doing so I feel a deeper steadiness and and a stronger foundation to live and love life. I really enjoyed reading your blog, thank you for sharing Janet.
I wonder what my reluctance has been in making the commitment to exercise? When I do I feel the benefit immediately. Perhaps it’s a question of priorities as I have made my work commitments more important than looking after myself. I am appreciating that the more I take care of myself and make space for this the easier it is for me in work.
Lovely Janet that was very inspiring to read your honest blog. I have to admit that I was always a person who did a lot of sport – I thought that would be healthy. It took me a while to find out that the way I did the sport was not healthy at all as I was always ill. Instead of supporting my body I was harming my body how crazy was that! For me it was a re-learning to do sport in a more gentle way and with being connected with my body and now I can truly say that sport is healthy for my body.
Imagine if the phrase ‘core strength’ referred to the development of our absolute core – our inner-hearts, our essence. So when we spoke of our ‘core strength’, we would be referring to our deep connection with our inner-most selves, with our divine selves. Now that would represent a different spin on things!
Core strength in the usual sense seems to equate to hard-core yoga, sports or perhaps slightly gentler pilates programs. Here I’m getting the sense we’re talking about something altogether different. Exercises that are physically building and sustaining, yes, but also indicative of an inner state in which connection to and appreciation of the body is key.
Only yesterday I explored with my physiotherapy practitioner my core strength as a woman – located in my pelvic area. This has been a revelation and I can feel how the super-gentle exercises we went through will support me to embody my beautiful womanliness, creating a new platform from which to do life. The body is amazing, if we know how to connect with it.
Hi Janet, most of my life I have fallen into the same camp as you: I was never that interested in exercise – it was something I’d been forced to do as a child and at school so it held a lot of negative connotations for me. There were times when I came to it but that was from a place of wanting my body to look a certain way. Three years ago I came to it as a result of a health condition, which inspired me to look after myself more seriously. I haven’t looked back, it’s been very healing and supportive. I’ve been ill for about 3 weeks so haven’t exercised for a while – and I’m feeling the absence!
I never really understood what core strength was until, like you, Janet, I went to a class specifically aimed at developing our core strength and I noticed the difference in my body – it was profound. Since the classes stopped, however, I have not felt the motivation to continue on my own, and I can feel how my body has slipped back into how it was, so I am feeling the need to either join a class or just do it.
Janet you have broken down my resistance to exercise, breaking an old image that has been there for a long time.. From what you have shared I have been holding back supporting the connection to all of me, and I realise through Kate Twists, Esoteric Connective Tissue classes that I have attended in the past, that the body loves gentle repetitive exercise, which offers reconnection to our body and the body then can support us in return.
You have so inspired me Janet, exercise and bringing strength to our core is fundamental if we want a body that we can have joy and vitality in.
Ah yes, the seeming ‘chore’ of exercise, this I can relate to. Are we taking our body for a walk or are we walking in tune with our body and hence the greater body that we are all held in and by? This body being the body of God, also known as our Universe. And so the question we must ask ourselves now becomes – is it a chore to express the divinity we so naturally are?
I think as I got older, I work such long hours I always seem to find another excuse to not to do exercise and I love that you have busted through your attitude to this and are leading the way for people like me to also move through the negative approach and step into the positive benefits that exercise can provide.
Janet, I love how you have described how developing core strength has given you a more tangible connection to the essence of who you are. From personal experience it is very easy to see ourselves as either a body without a being, or a being without a body. From reading what you have shared I can feel how developing core strength is like developing an cord within us that anchors us into our physical form and forms a bridge back to the core of who we truly are.
Janet I totally relate to what you have shared. I haven’t focused on core strength at all ( but I will keep this in mind) but I know what exercise has brought to me and how it really brings me back to my body and how I move. I walk everyday and go the gym 2 -3 times a week and my body thrives on it, which means that I thrive on it. It’s definitely a very solid part of the foundation in which I live.
So awesome, Janet. When I did a lot of yoga, I had quite a strong core, but that has slipped out of my life and I have noticed the feeling of a lack of strength in my core in the form of catching myself slouching often, and occasional twinges in my back. You’ve inspired me to focus on reconnecting to my core!
I too feel much clearer and stronger after even only a small amount of exercise. I have recently began doing some very simple, light stretching after I wake up and before I go to sleep. What I enjoy the most is moving my body into different positions and feeling all the different parts of my body as I do. The focus isn’t really the stretching but in changing up my movements. In a typical day I am generally sitting in front of a computer, pretty much stationary with minimal movement. So to twist, turn, raise my arms, lengthen through the backs of my legs and anything else I can think of feels very beautiful and my body always thanks me for it.
I can relate to what you share here Janet of finding exercise to be something of hard work. In the past I always pushed my body and trained hard for competitive sports- I now enjoy swimming and walking (though sometimes those thoughts still come in of its hard work) but I agree the days that I commit to this, I feel much more clear and solid within myself.
This is such a beautiful example of how the fitness of our body supports us through our days, not just with the physical side of life but also our thoughts, and not in an excessive way, but in a truly supportive way.
“When I went swimming I noticed that my kicking had improved and that I could actually feel some power in my movement through the water.” Fascinating and hugely confirming when we clock the impacts of self care through our daily movements and what greater place to read our movements than in the magnification of water!
” I feel much more confident in my strength and resilience, no longer waking up with the same anxiety around having enough energy to ‘get through the day’.” Thank-you Janet, a pertinent read for me at the moment, I can really relate to this anxiety of not feeling that my body is fit for my day, breaking down this belief that exercise is a chore is so important for it totally switches us off not only to a deepening relationship with ourselves but equally the service it brings to every aspect of our lives.
It’s interesting how strongly the feeling can be that exercise is a “should do” rather than a want to do. I have found recently that exercising can really clear out stagnant energy in my body and it is this knowing that I take into any sessions I do. In that I don’t have to push hard, just get the flow of the exercise going and then I get to feel the delight in feeling brighter and more energised for the rest of my day.
This is a great way to look at exercise Stephen, earlier today I could feel that I ‘should’ go for a swim and made it into something bigger than what it actually was – that I had to do laps, certain exercises etc. to get the most out of it. After I dropped all this ‘should do’ and just went to the pool to enjoy being and exercising with my body it felt a lot easier and I just did the exercises I felt to do and didn’t feel drained afterwards like I sometimes can do.
I have realised that concerning my body and exercise, I did not Love myself and so truly caring for myself and nurturing my body was at that point impossible, I did not like myself much, was disappointed in how things were, knew I could be doing something different, but I wasn’t, and so the concept of true exercise and self-care at that point was beyond me. I felt like a fraud in my exercise clothes…And yet now my life has had one big shake up, I even wear bright pink trainers to match my bright pink top…I go out in ‘public’ to the park and stretch and it feels great. I also now work within the self-care, exercise and complimentary health sector. I support others to consider the benefits of exercise…what a change. I know for sure, it is never to late to alter how we view ourselves and life, there is always another opportunity, a window opens and light floods in.
Exercise for me now is about connection and supporting my body to undertake the actives I undertake in life. Exercise in the past used to take me more outside of myself, rather than connecting within my inner essence. I did not exercise much in the past, I felt more disconnected and in discomfort when I did, getting out of breath, muscles aching and burning. This is how I thought you where ‘supposed’ to do it, and I disliked it deeply. And then, the inspiration of supporting and connecting with our bodies while we undertake gentle exercise came along…and wow, I enjoy it, I now feel I am strengthening and building stability and increased vitality, but fundamentally building a connection that is deeply honouring and supportive.
‘What became obvious quite quickly was that my residual back pain reduced, and when I had an active day at work I did not feel so wiped out. When I went swimming I noticed that my kicking had improved and that I could actually feel some power in my movement through the water. This inspired me to do more core exercises at home, and I requested a personal program to develop my core strength specifically.’
It is amazing what exercising in a true way can bring to the body and wellbeing of the person. Instead of feeling drained this way of exercising in connection with the body brings inner strength and supports the harmony in the body.
It has been through developing a core strength that I have discovered how strong and steady I am naturally as a person, that I can be not swayed by the events of the day and remain a stable rock for others to rely on as they discover the fact of their own core strength. This revelation has come at a time when many people are looking for something reliable. This reliability becomes a beacon of light in the mass chaos that is taking place today in the world, and this shows me how taking responsibility for something so simple as your own physical core strength can have such far reaching affects.
Janet I totally relate to what you share about the ‘should do exercise’ mentality and when you’re tired how the last thing you feel like doing is exercise. But when you support a rhythm and this is one that I am continually developing to have as apart of something you do to support yourself, it becomes very different. Making time for this and not putting other things before this as more important has been something that I have been working on also. It definitely makes a change the way I am in life and it feels great.
It’s as if the gently toned muscles fuel my body like a battery of holding love.
I have found that by joining exercise classes is a great way to go as I get the support of a facilitator and the joy of exercising with others. It supports my commitment to exercising.
Why is it that whenever we hear of something that is healthy for us we see it as a “have to”.
It’s lovely to feel effect that this exercise has had for you Janet and very revealing in that it has been one aspect of your life, one choice to commit to something new which is supportive of you and yet it has had the power to change so much more for you. With so many choices available to us this goes to show the potential we have to change our experience of living through making them.
This is awesome timing for me to read your blog Janet. I have been receiving messages from my body to do some core building exercises but I have been putting this off because I am avoiding truly looking after my body. I have never been a massive fan of exercise because I didn’t like exerting my body but I know there is a more gentle and supportive way to exercise that will build my body to then support me to live with the strength and confidence you’ve shared. You have deeply inspired me to start my own exercise routine and make that a part of my day.
It makes such a big difference to our life when we get most of the details right. When we get to the last few, like not having enough strength, each one makes such a big difference as it gives our whole being a lift.
This is another one of those gems that should be taught to us all from an early age so I didn’t have to go the first half of my life without knowing the importance of it and without having the benefits of it in my everyday life up until recently.
‘I did not exercise from a connection to my body, but rather from a discipline and as one of the ‘should dos’ of my day.’
This is so common and known, to tick the boxes and be diciplined through our day, instead of living our day with the connection to ourselves and enjoy what we are doing.
When I exercise and strengthen my core I feel that the rest of my body is supported by this energy that emanates from my centre out to my limbs. In the past, core exercises were about having a flat tummy and looking trim. It is interesting that when we connect with the true purpose of exercise the way in which we exercise changes from one that comes from love opposed to a place of having to fix something or be better.
I can relate to the title of this article as I too have found core exercise super supportive in helping me to feel and connect with my inner strength. When I was younger, I exercised to look good and for what it offered my external appearance, now I exercise to look after my body nourishing myself from the inside to the out.
What came to me through reading your blog Janet is the word “core” which to me means the centre of a thing, or being at the heart of something, so it makes sense that exercising and strengthening our core, our inner self, could change our lives completely and have such a profound effect on how we feel in ourselves.
Just paying attention to the inner part of my body, gives me a sense of ‘Here I am’. This feels empowering, but at the same time, I can feel that was the very reason why I never really wanted to engage with that for a long time. But now, that is exactly where I want to go.
Thank you, Janet. This is very inspiring. I have never really worked on my core strength and like you, I have shied away from exercise most of my life. I have pains in different parts of my back, and my shoulder/arm has been aching for some years now, and reading your sharing I started wondering whether these achy parts are having to do more than they would like to in order to compensate for my lack of core strength and connection. I recently met someone who is so steady and solid in their connection with themselves and knowing their background being physical exercise, I have become more interested in exercise and to deepen my connection through that.
I recently heard a very wise young man say exercise to fill your body with love. I’d add to that and say that we can exercise to build our bodies with love and a solidness that supports us to stay with ourselves throughout the day or we can exercise to fill ourselves up with superficiality and an underlying lack of self-confidence propelling our bodies in exercise movements from a belief that we are not fundamentally enough as we are. There is a huge fitness industry that has capitalised on the latter, on our insecurities and sense of inadequacy and a massive industry and way of relating with ourselves and our bodies has been created as a result.
Exercising to support our core so that we are more fit for life is the true way to exercise and when we connect to this yummy way of supporting our bodies those tendrils of thinking we are inadequate, not having the right body shape etc can’t grab onto us in the same way. We free ourselves from the illusion we have created — that we are not enough.
Very well said, Katerina. Being clear of our intentions with exercise feels super important, so that none of the old self criticism or ideals creep in. That’s why we need to let our bodies tell us what exercise is going to be supportive, rather than coming from the mind.
” I never would have thought that developing my physical core strength could have changed my life, and also given me a very tangible connection to the essence of who I am. It is inspiring that you have effectively not only strengthened your connection to your body but changed the physiology of your body, allowing a greater flow of love and harmony.
Janet I am reading your article and feeling the old resistance coming up in me… I have never been a gym person, preferring to walk, be active in the garden, play sport, but now realise the opportunity to have a deeper connection through core strength exercise, is to commit to a deeper relationship with my body. Now that’s inspiring, thank you!
‘In the space of a few months I feel that my relationship with my body has completely changed. I feel much more confident in my strength and resilience, no longer waking up with the same anxiety around having enough energy to ‘get through the day’. My posture has changed and I can feel that the way I hold myself and move allows a deeper connection to all of my body – my body as a woman.’
Thank you for sharing Janet. It is amazing how the body restores itself to harmony, just waiting for us to give that chance!
Thank you Janet for sharing your experience with exercise, I too have not been much of an exercise person, my exercise has been mainly gardening but lately I am feeling to do some gentle exercises to strengthen my core, and feel more deeply into what my body is feeling.
OMG, I relate to this blog and my lord my core needs some serious strength, I am going to look this exercise program up, maybe they do it online as I am based in Australia?
I was really fit in high school and super sporty but I was also very boyish and rough back then, throwing my body around like a rag doll. I don’t ever want to go back to pushing my body the way I did back then.
Thank you Janet, our bodies are like a temple that is filled with divine wisdom, so when we reconnect it makes sense to bring a focus to our overall bodily strength.
It’s really interesting how well our bodies respond when we treat them with respect. It seems a bit cliche, but it’s true. Even drinking more water than we’re used to makes a huge difference. Our bodies want to work at their optimum, yet we’re so good at making sure they have to work really hard rather than just giving them the basic fuel they need to effortlessly operate.
What a great experience Janet. So many of us add exercise to the list of ‘must do’s’, and don’t really stop to consider why exercise might be good for us. I’ve had an ongoing tug of war with it myself. I’ve always loved it, but when I’m out of rhythm with it I find it hard to get it back and so I put it off, and as a result I feel more lethargic and need more sleep.
Exercising, even very gently really boosts my energy and overall well being.
“I now feel that exercise, and supporting my body through developing my core strength, give me more energy for the day ahead!” This turns exercising upside down Janet… When we exercise from a connection to ourselves it is energising, however the way most people exercise leaves them exhausted and in need of stimulating drinks to keep them going in their day! Connection to ourselves and to our bodies is a game changer when it comes to exercising.
The fact that your posture has changed through building your core strength Janet is very inspiring for us all, as the way we stand, walk and all our movements throughout the day, affect our thoughts, emotions and energy levels, by changing our movements we literally can change our life’s, Serge Benhayon has been teaching this very inspirational science.
What stood out for me Janet reading your blog is how quickly things changed, not only in your body, but also in your life with just a few weeks then months the benefits of exercise were clearly felt. It may seem obvious that how we feel about life our emotions and outlook in life is directly connected to our bodies, but I feel it’s something we forget and override not choosing to feel and listen to the huge wisdom our bodies are consistently offering us as how to serve our bodies more so they can in turn support and serve us, to build and nourish this relationship has been life changing for me.
When we break the old consciousness that exercise has to be hard, it opens up the gateway for the joy that comes from exercise when we are connected.
The joy I felt reading your blog Janet and how you wake up with not the same anxiety and more equipped to embrace all the tasks you need to do for the day, is deeply inspirational, and has reminded me of the importance of staying committed to exercise and not just committing to certain areas of life when life is so busy, because the strength and connection we build supports all other areas and parts of our life, thank you for sharing your experience.
I found your article very inspiring Janet, it confirms what I have also felt around what a tremendous support exercise is when we deeply connect to our bodies first and during exercise, and exercise for the joy, support and benefits it brings rather than to look or be a certain way, or because we feel it’s what we have to do but don’t enjoy.
“I can feel that the way I hold myself and move allows a deeper connection to all of my body – my body as a woman.” This is revelatory Janet, as what exercise program today offers a deeper connection to our bodies?! We are sensitive beings and to harden to exercise is so unnatural for our bodies. 99.9% of the programs out there are all about being fit to a standard and looking a certain way for recognition – not about connecting and honouring our body as we exercise, and as a result of exercising.
Amazing to read this Janet and so profound. We are not used to excercise in this way because we seem to know only one way. Until we feel what you are sharing with us – there is a another way. As you share and it offers us a new way of feeling fit within our body – which is very beautiful. This then reminds me of what you shared before : “And as a result I feel more committed to life and more joyful when I wake up in the morning.” This is so true once one feels the true strength within themselves it is true joy to connect with our physical strength equally so.
It is a tremendous shift to begin exercising for the love of it rather than as an effort or ‘should do’. The support of the Esoteric gentle exercise practitioners has been much needed to assist us to let go of the old ways of exercising in push and drive, to simply loving the body and wanting to move it with joy and connection.
Dear Janet
It is beautiful to feel the simplicity with which you have been able to re-connect to your body through core strength exercise and how deeply it has supported you. Your blog will in turn support many.
I too can attest to the power of developing core strength and the surprise in how quickly change is felt in the body with consistency to a program. I feel a strong foundation in my body that supports my expression as a whole and keeps me connected to how much food my body needs so that I remain light and vital. It supports my posture overall and brings me in touch with my power through my body.
Core strength exercise is very beneficial for us all.
Yes, I agree, Emma, it is amazing how quickly the muscles respond and a sense of support is noticeably felt. “I feel a strong foundation in my body that supports my expression as a whole” – this is a great summary of what I love about core strength, and I cannot imagine not continuing to develop this strong foundation now.
Core strength is such a good name, it is fundamental support for ourselves. I have always had naturally good core stability and strength but as a result I have been quite lazy at keeping it up. I keep looking at this, wondering if it a reflection of perhaps taking something given to me by heaven and not appreciating its presence of support in my daily living. This blog has given me another nudge so thank you.
Exercising is a beautiful way to develop and deepen the relationship with your body. It communicates back loud and clearly how it feels about what you are doing to it.
I love what you share here, Janet. I can so relate to it. Doing exercises out of an ideal or a ‘have to’ doesn’t work. My body refused that after a while. My hip was so painful I couldn’t walk anymore. After that I stopped exercising all together, thinking I could do without, but the last months I am experiencing the power of exercises additional to walking and swimming. The movements make me feel more solid in myself and up to whatever comes my way.
It is incredible what changes when we start to take care for our body with exercises in the way you’ve described. To build a body that can support us in our daily life, it is very joyful to do but I also know times I fool myself with being too tired to exercise. An excuse to not feel my body, I always can adjust the way I exercise with how my body is feeling, cause sometimes I am just avoiding feeling my power, my joy! Thank you Janet, I really loved reading your blog.
Until recently I have always approached exercise as something where I need to push my body hard rather than listen to what feels right for my body. Changing the way I exercise has brought joy to something I once found arduous.
Who would have thought that committing to exercise to increase your core strength could have such a profound affect on your life, and connecting to your essence, when done with the loving choice to deeply care for yourself.
Loved to read this blog Janet! It is exactly what I need to read for my body is communicating loudly that I need to do more exercise because at the moment I only walk. I can feel how exercising to build core strength is also exactly what my body needs right now. Thank you for sharing.
This is so very inspiring and a joy to read and feel, I love it and feel I would like to give it a try also from the same place you are coming from. More energy more commitment to life and more strength and flexibility in my body, wow how amazing. Taking time to truly connect to ones body in every aspect is so important and so easily forgotten in our daily busy lives. Thank you Janet for sharing this.
I have also attended to exercise as a chore knowing that I needed it to support my body and get through my day physically. After a recent back injury I had to discontinue going to the gym and needed to stop and reassess some of the choices I was making. I was exercising in a way that meant I was ignoring and overriding parts of my body that were screaming out at me. I started with a personal trainer who asked me if I knew what my core was – as it turned out I did not I basically thought is was my abdominal muscles. In now been shown how to very deeply connect with my body and exercise from my own rhythm I can honestly say I am blown away at how effective very gentle focussed exercise can be – the focus on quality and connection rather than skill, repetition and strength. I look forward to finding out what else my body is capable of.
You know it really makes sense to me that by building your core muscle it’s given you a tangible connection to the essence of who you are. To feel and work with my core muscles asks me to focus inward, to become very focused and aware of movement deep within – in muscles that we normally may pay no attention to. This very tangible, but deep, gentle and meditative connection cannot but support our connection to our essence.
Yes, Rosanna, developing core strength is giving me a deeper awareness of my body in general, which supports me to be able to listen to the subtle messages it shares with me all the time.
A truly inspirational read this morning Janet. Yes those “should do’s” I can relate to and the norm is that I actually start out with all good intentions with exercises but in doing so the enthusiasm starts to wane. Seeking the support from someone trained in this field would certainly inspire me and as you share feeling that you now have more energy for the day ahead and “a joyful heart and a stronger body” in that process.
I used to teach fitness classes, but never really felt very strong or vital. I was striving for a particular body shape or to loose weight, but there was a lot of drive and I was never truly happy with my body or how I felt in it. The way I exercise now is very different. I don’t workout for very long periods; sometimes its just half an hour and I now do it with the intention of looking after myself and keeping my body strong enough to cope with the demands of my work and life. A very contrasting approach which comes from a different relationship I now have with myself.
I am enjoying how my body now feels as a result of developing my core strength. I walk differently. I used to plod and walking felt like an effort. Now that my muscles are stronger, carrying my body weight is no longer difficult and there is a spring in my step. I too feel I have more energy to do what’s needed in my working days.
Having just come back from the gym, I can relate to so much of what you’ve shared Janet. I used to suffer a lot with back pain and just accepted it was part of being a tall woman. Since developing my core, in particular my abs, my back pain has gone.
I too have had a similar relationship to exercise as you Janet. Just recently I have felt to go walking as regularly as possible. It has been immensely enjoyable and I can feel it supporting my body in so many ways. I have even done some swimming. Swimming my first set of laps only a couple of months ago. It feels like it is time to care for my body in a deeper way and build it up to be strong and vital in another way to simply eating well, resting, and going about my day.
Janet I love how a “should do” was transformed into “the miracle of developing core strength” – amazing how we can hold ourselves back from experiencing the fullness of what is on offer by limiting it as something we “should do”, rather than exploring it and seeing how it feels and fits with our body.
It becomes apparent how the common consciousness in society is to use physical exercise and fitness as a way to lose weight or to maintain a slim figure. There is little or no focus on the love and deep care for our bodies and taking the time to check in what feels great for our entire being.
Very much so Eva… And it’s so beautiful to care for our bodies with supportive exercise — why on earth would we not want to do this? We’ve taken something that makes so much common sense and turned its quality complete around. Instead of exercise supporting our connection with ourselves it has now become all about getting better, reaching a goal and competing with others.
Yes, Eva and Katerina, it feels good to bring exercise back to being about truly looking after ourselves, rather than being driven or goal-oriented. And to have fun as well, as many people look so serious and in pain while they are working out.
Every movement of our bodies come through the core, so it makes sense that to build a vital healthy body we should pay attention to the deep muscles that attach to the spine around our tummy, lower back and also in the pelvis and hip areas. When these areas are supple and strong then I feel very energised and alive. I often find a bit of stiffness develops here overnight and this is why gently moving this area makes such a powerful difference to how I move through the rest of the day.
This is so true Stephen. Interesting to read your comment. I have weak core muscle strength and this definitely affects how I feel in other areas of my body and life. Thank you for reminding me that everything is connected, how I care and look after my body is key to how I am with myself and others. It’s time for me to truly pay attention to building a strong and supportive foundation in my body starting from the core.
Hi Janet, sounds like a core change in your life 🙂 and it makes perfect sense that developing this part of our body has such a profound effect on the way we feel about ourselves and handle life.
I also find there to be an amazing difference between ‘doing’ something that is ‘good for us’, as opposed to really doing something from a connection within ourselves.
It makes me shudder to think of how much I have been in disregard of my body and how on a global level this same disrespect for our bodies is so normalized and sometimes even used as a sign of heroism. Young children will show off their scars proudly in the playground, old people often speak more about their ailments and the medications they are on than anything else, at this age sympathy is often, more obviously, being called for. We use and abuse our bodies to the nth degree. What an amazing turn around when we begin to recognise them for the fragile delicate intricate miracles they are and not just how much resilience they appear to have. Coming to exercise from this angle and allowing the strength to build from the inside out, from the core, gives me the feeling that this is where our power lies. in fact i know this to be true from when I used to go to the gym, which makes me wonder why I stopped doing so.
I like that, Elaine – “allowing the strength to build from the inside out”. What a great support for the body and the being.
It is the only way to build true strength, just as it is in healing from the inside out too..
Thank you Janet, it is heavenly to read others experiences of how empowering on so many levels exercise is, especially when there is a total change from it being a discipline to an act of self love.
It seems very difficult to maintain a discipline around something when it is something we ‘should do’ or it has an ideal or belief attached to it around how it must look. I now look at exercise from a point of view of how it feels for my body and how it supports me in my daily life. I love how this blog highlights how core exercises can support us at our very core, our innermost to be ourselves more fully in life.
I relate very strongly to experiencing positive benefits from building a routine of core exercises. But like you Janet doing it from a point of connection and listening to my body when I am doing them has led to a wide ranging feeling of support to my body and vitality.
Changing the intent of exercise from a ‘must do’ or ‘should’ is the key to loving exercise. I regularly attend a local gym and I have to say I don’t see or feel much joy. There is a huge intent to push the body on all the equipment, trying to ‘do better’. I was once in that zone and it never left me feeling full within myself, just a constant chase to do better next time.
Everyone knows that gaining core strength is physically good for the body but sharing here how it has affected all other areas of your life Janet takes it to a whole new level.
I love what you have presented here Janet, I know that for me I have had a similar experience and relationship with exercise. It always went into the ‘should do’ bucket, not the ‘I feel to connect with my body and enjoy exercise’ bucket. I am yet to get into a real groove with exercise, other than walking which I do enjoy immensely, but I do feel there is a lot of scope for building core strength as you have shared, so feeling very inspired, than you.
I feel quite inspired to start up my own exercise program again and to see how different I cope and go about my day. There are days at work when I walk a lot up and down stairs and get out and about, but then there are days when I don’t get out of the office at all except at lunch time and my body can really feel sluggish, and on those days I do feel more tired by the end of the day. So thank you Janet for the reminder of how exercise can support us during the day.
What I am now understanding about exercise is that is not something we should do to just feel fit, or loose weight, look better etc. but to approach as something as necessary as all the ways we care for ourself like eating, bathing, sleeping etc. This way I appreciate how it brings so much more than a fitness to look and feel good but means I am more fit for the whole day. Thank you Janet for the reminder to be consistent in my commitment to myself and exercise.
Reading this I can really feel this is such a true experience for you and by sharing this in the way you do Janet is an inspiration for others.
Janet, this is great to read, ‘the importance of looking after your body, and developing strength in order to be fit for life’, I can feel from what you have written how supportive it is to look after our bodies in this way with exercising in a supportive way, I too have had the idea that exercise is hard and tiring, so it is wonderful to read how energising it can be if we do it from a connection to our bodies.
Same same Janet. Listing to Universal Medicine presentations through the years I realized that if I want to live life in a lovely way, I have to prepare my body to be able to express it. By holding back my body – I did hold back my level of expression. Since a few years now I do gentle exercises every day every morning and this supported me so very well! Now I see that I am called to exercise also in a way to bring more strength into my body, because I am ready to live more of my power and so – my body wants to be ready for this. This way of being brought me as well the view that I am looking forward to do what is necessary because I see, understand and appreciate where I am and where I go.
I love this line, Sandra – “I realized that if I want to live life in a lovely way, I have to prepare my body to be able to express it.” Preparing the body to enhouse the soul is an ongoing commitment that brings great purpose to exercise and developing core strength.
Very well expressed Sandra and Janet, especially this part – “… preparing the body to enhouse the soul is an ongoing commitment… ” . So awesome and it brings a totally new spin on why and now to exercise in the first place.
Thank you, Janet. This is a point of inspiration for any moment that I slip into old patterns of thinking that taking care of myself is an arduous chore. The more I incorporate taking responsible care of myself, the stronger and more able I am to be present and able in my day, whatever that may bring.
Thank you, Janet; I love what you are saying here about exercising for life and how much that approach supports our bodies. Far too often we try and do things just because we think it is a good idea but this approach does not work. We have to connect with the true purpose of why we are doing what we are doing for true change to occur.
I also had a bad relationship with exercise and did it for every reason apart from love for myself and because the real benefits had somehow eluded me. As I do a physical job developing my core strength has helped me no end and I wish I had done it years ago as it turns hard work into a doddle.
Thanks Janet for the reminder as I have become a little lax in that area and will pick it up again as I go into a busy period at work.
Loved reading this Janet and for someone who struggles with the desire to exercise, found it deeply inspiring. I love that through this you have established a tangible connection to who you are and built a foundation from which to deepen and expand your expression. Very cool.
I find it inspiring that you exercise from a connection to your body first rather from a need to do the “should do” things we have in our minds. I love walking, but in my mind I know there is more I could do. To have another approach, to really bring connection into exercise feels beautiful. To truly support myself with my body feels like true foundation.
Janet, what a gorgeous sharing. You are a living breathing example of what true health is. I love the simplicity in how you have shared how important physical health is to our over all well-being. Super, awesome, Thank you.
It never really made sense to me until the last few years that the body needed exercising. We walk around all day, bend up and down, make beds, vacuum under things, why would you need exercise on top that? I used to think people were nuts who exercised. But now I realise how important movement, and the way and quality in which we move is vital for a full and true life on earth. Thank you to Serge Benhayon and the whole movement team for the wisdom and inspiration.
This is a beautiful blog and something I should consider!
I do so agree Janet, that truly exercising, knowing very deeply that we are in a woman’s body, really brings the whole activity to a whole new level. The beauty of feeling the body move is something else!
Your experience echoes my own Janet. I was much like you in that I rarely exercised and when I did I did not always do it in a honouring of what my body truly needed to support it. What I have found though through true exercise in connection to the body is how much the strength and solidness it is building is spreading throughout my whole day. I feel far more solid in myself and that is because I am more connected to my body and hence myself
I know that too Janet, that feeling of resistance for doing physical exercise while when I am doing it I can feel how much my body loves to exercise and build that strength and aliveness that it needs for performing my daily tasks in joy. From that I can feel that my body needs that activation to be able to be vital and alive as inactivity makes my body less aware and in a way more lethargic and when I am like that I have difficulties in doing the things I have to do during the day and do not experience any joy in my body.
The whole idea of exercising in connection to my body, rather than exercising to get my body to be able to do something was a revelation for me. It changes how I move in such a complete way.
We have heard it before, and will hear it again, but the quality we choose to live in is truly the core of our day. If we accept our gentle, delicate and tender essence and live embracing life from this quality, everything we do is transformed in a way massively beyond any shift pumping weights can do. All the change and strength that we strive for lives not in any task but in the way that we choose to be. Exercising this choice is true power to me. Thank you Janet, for sharing.
Beautiful, Joseph, I love your play on words – “the quality we choose to live in is truly the core of our day…exercising this choice is true power to me”. When we move from the quality of our essence, the flow in our body fosters true health and wellbeing. I feel that strengthening the physical body allows me to bring more of that loveliness into my day.
I love this too Janet and Joseph ‘ the quality we choose to live in is truly the core of our day’..exercising this choice is true power for me.
Janet I have never before read such a joyful article on core strength. You have changed the subject from one of artificial glamour to one of beauty and connection. How cool would it be to have your article in one of the fitness magazines!
I concur, the joy can be palpably felt. The only time I’ve heard about core strength before being of any importance is after childbirth, at which point it felt like a chore to do, and was something that needed to be done or else…what Janet describes here is something very different that supports us all and seeps forward into every aspect of our lives and wellbeing.
It is not uncommon for people to compare their physical wellbeing against that of someone with an injury and express gratitude that they are ‘fit and healthy’. It is equally common to compare ourselves to someone who ticks the boxes where the appearance of fitness is concerned. What is not so common (but absolutely common sense) is conducting an honest and responsible assessment of where our bodies are at, what they truly need and how we can support our body to realise its full potential. Your experience and the way you have expressed it is inspiring Janet as you show how much we benefit when we make our relationship with our body our top priority. Thank you..
Thanks, Leonne. Yes, making the relationship with our body top priority has so many benefits, for our general emotional, mental, psychological as well as physical state of wellbeing, because we are taking the time to truly connect and feel what is needed for the body to become a vehicle of the soul.
Great article Janet. Reading it has inspired me to listen more to what my body has been telling me and to deepen my relationship with exercise again. Thankyou.
Janet thanks for sharing the importance of exercise not from the weight loss or image improvement idea. I have made the move to support my body with core strength training for a few years now and have noticed a substantial difference in the level of mobility and ease in which I am able to get about the day and work with ease. Working in a very physical job and adding core strength training has given me the extra support so that I don’t feel drained and depleted at the end of the day.
Thanks nb, great to hear that developing core strength has become a consistent support for you in your active and busy life. It makes so much sense to do whatever we can to be strong and fit for life, and the added bonus is that we get to know ourselves more through the deepening connection to our body.
Thank You Janet, this is perfect timing for me as I have just been made aware of my need for core strength. Like yourself I am also aware of the need to exercise and strengthen my body, but had been put off by years of exercising in a drive or by seeing exercising as too tiring. Thanks for the inspiration from your blog, and the connection between a stronger body and a fuller expression of the essence of you.
Reading your blog Janet got me reflecting on all the varied forms of exercise, dance and yoga I have done over the years. I have always loved the feeling of being in my body. It is interesting though that often I did not have a connection to how I felt on the inside while doing the exercise and without that it is easy to push the body beyond what is truly supportive. As I have connected more deeply to my body it lets me know what it needs.
I like what you said Janet about being ‘fit for life’. Many things we do to ourselves does the very opposite and makes us very unfit, then it’s a slippery slope of excuses and eventually the body physically can’t exercise. Eventually we grab the nearest pick me up, the artificial quick fix and the fast track to activity, but there is no foundation and this cycle just continues.
Hi Janet – the relationship between our physical, mental and feeling within the body is talked about heaps. The intricate and interweaving connection of the three elements are often over-looked or denied. Your blog has in such a simple way proven that there are outcomes that happen without a ‘seeking’ to achieve that outcome – life enriching. Movement but specifically conscious movement brings with it a quality that is more loving and nurturing than the mindless ‘push or drive’ that often accompanies exercise/habitual gym programs. Love what you have shared – thank you.
I agree, Christine. ‘Conscious movement’ with a loving commitment to supporting the body is so different from the huffing and puffing that exercise can be experienced as. I certainly feel more confident and life-embracing since I started to strengthen my core, so the benefits can certainly be psychological as well.
I love the feeling of connection and embodiment that exercise and moving with awareness brings. When my foundation is supported everything flows more in rhythm.
I found this too Victoria, one can truly feel how the flow in the rhythm is stronger and supportive. I have noticed if I have not been able to exercise for whatever reason, there is a difference, even if it is small, in how my day flows…
The way we approach exercising can make so much difference, sometimes all we need to change is our attitude from a should/have to do, to a position of choosing to take loving care of our body. Taking care of our bodies through gentle exercise is a way of being self-loving and the vitality and energy we feel the benefits of can also be brought into our working day and we are able to then contribute more to our work and towards our work colleagues too.
Yes, Deidre, our approach to exercise is key. When I finally allowed myself to feel how beneficial exercising my core was (in every aspect of my life), and how much it supported me throughout the day, it was a common sense decision to carry on with it, but also a loving commitment to myself and to life.
I have been stubbornly resisting exercise as well (over daily walks with dog) so you have inspired me to spend time supporting my daily rhythm to include going to the gym as a support for strengthening my body. Thank you.
Thank you for your inspiration Janet… I have only been exercising once a week since classes ended. I always feel the benefit of exercising but you have inspired me to exercise more often, and with more connection to honouring my body as the woman I am.
Isn’t it amazing how gentle exercising can actually feed you back more energy…not to mention the ‘feel good’ effect of having done something gentle and caring for yourself!
So inspiring to read about your experience Janet – it is a joy to connect to a true way of exercising that honours the body.
I’m on the nursery slopes of listening to my body in relation to how I exercise, having been one of those die-hard training types for decades. It’s a big shift but one that takes just a second to choose and has the much deeper, broader and wider impact you describe here in your blog. An inspiring read for anyone who wears the guilt, dread and loathing of exercise around their neck like a lead weight. Exercise just needs to be in tune with where your body is at, done nurturingly and always with attention on how it feels in and to the body.
I’m sure for many of us, we have pictures and associations with what exercise is and should be. Yet, what if exercise is simple and something our body loves – not something our head tells us is good for our body, but something that our body loves in every cell. I see people running and their bodies do not look like they are enjoying it. Yet if I spend 10 minutes doing gentle exercises on the mat my body comes away feeling expanded and radiant.
Thank you Janet for an Inspiring sharing! I have enjoyed walking for many years but actual exercise as set out by a trainer etc. then no I wasn’t interested. I have found the simple stretching that I have learned from Kate Greenaway have helped me immensely over the past few years and I am very grateful for her help. I agree with the need to perhaps try core exercises as well , they seem to have made a very obvious connection and benefit to your body, thank you for sharing Janet.
I’ve been looking at ways that I could incorporate a morning walk into my daily routine for some time. I have some genuine challenges and an equal measure of excuses not to do it. Reading this blog and coming into the summer months where the days get longer I’m inspired to give more thought to a way it could be included as I feel so much lighter after I have been for a gentle walk and connected with nature, others or both.
This is beautiful Janet. I am very inspired to look at my own core strength, my posture and how I move.
Thank you Janet. this reminds me of the importance of core strength. I used to do exercise in a very hard way and never really enjoyed it, even though to onlookers it seemed that I was really into it. I am now learning to enjoy it much more and am deepening my connection rather than my disconnection with my body. My core strength is something i have always shyed away from. Even when I pushed myself through hard exercises, the core strength was something I avoided at all costs. I am still avoiding it and this article reminds me that i actually love building my connection with myself through core strength and that it supports me enormously.
It’s beautiful to feel how choosing to deepen your core strength physically has allowed you to deepen your connection to the core of who you are, the woman you are, your essence. What a Divine reflection that we now are all blessed with.
Very gorgeous Janet. I have always’ loved’ to exercise but what I have discovered is that it’s the intention behind why we exercise that changes everything. I used to exercise with a push because that is what I believed was needed to achieve the picture of fitness and health that I was chasing. There was a degree of satisfaction but this was coming more from a sense of achievement. Yet now I have experienced that when we choose to exercise to simply care for our bodies, this comes from a choice to self-love. Then what naturally develops is a loving relationship with our bodies which also deepens the relationship with ourselves through the loving choice we have made. I noticed that my body responds, tones and feels far better from exercising in this way and I also walk away enjoying feeling a deeper sense of connection that I can be with throughout my day.
Janet your blog has totally inspired me, most days I have a ten minute swim and a ten minute walk and I love the consistency of this yet I feel my body would really benefit from some more focused core exercise. Thanks for the inspiration Janet.
I have had exactly the same relationship with exercise as you describe Janet. Never really enjoying it, not being able to stick at it (other than my daily walk) and always feeling I should be doing it. That all changed a few months ago since having been shown some specific exercises by Curtis Benhayon and Beverley Carter. I love doing these gentle exercises as they feel very supportive and allow me to connect deeper to my body. They feel like a part of me whereas I did not connect to exercises I tried to do in the past. I now realise the past routines all came from imposed ideas and were not what actually supported my body or what my body wanted or needed.
Thanks for sharing that, Nicola. Yes, doing exercise with imposed ideas is indeed going to hurt, as there is no connection to what the body is asking for.
There is something very special about core strength and exercise. It is through our core area that our lower bodies and upper bodies are connected and that they have a relationship in terms of connected movement. For me at the times when my core is in better condition my whole body feels more alive.
This blog goes to show how equal commitment to all aspects of our day is vital – no more or no less to any part. No part is any more important than another – dedication to an important work deadline is as important as preparing a meal, interacting with our family, fuelling the car, paying the bills, exercising.
I have to admit I also found the concept of formal exercise distasteful, not wanting to force my body into the contortions asked for, and whenever I did it join a group in the past I overrode myself, tried to keep up and push beyond what my body could tolerate at the time. Many sore days after. You have inspired me to get back into this way of exercising which I have experienced also but somehow forgot about. It is super supportive and strengthening. Enjoy your newfound vitality.
An inspiring blog thank you Janet. I love how you explain so clearly how your exercise and core strength program supports you to have more vitality. I find that when I become busier, the first thing that drops away is time for a reasonable length walk. Which then becomes part of the issue of why I get tired during these busier times. The commitment to building a rhythn and routine to support our lifestyles is key.
Janet you’re the second person in two days, to mention developing ‘core strength’. Not something I’ve know much about but am inspired to find out more. I love swimming, but can’t always get to a pool or take a daily walk. I stopped exercising at home, and have yet to to get back into supporting my body with gentle daily exercise. Worth reflecting on why this is.
I don’t know if you’d agree Janet but for me the magic of exercise is in the application, the consistency, this when combined with smart exercises that are right for our bodies makes exercise a very powerful thing.
I agree and it is magical and powerful at the same time, just seeing how the body responds to different types of exercises – some that work well and body loves it, and others where the body truly says’ not like this’. I am fortunate that I have a trainer that listens to my sharing of my body’s communication and then finds different ways for me to do things that my body will agree with.
I love the simplicity of what you have shared here and how familiar it is! The feeling that exercise is something we have to do as a chore is such a familiar pattern and yet I can relate to loving the feeling of strength in my body whenever I make exercise part of my routine. This is still a work in progress but you have inspired me!
Confirmation of the power of exercising as an expression of self love, not duty. Awesome Janet.
Oh well stated Kehinde – truly awesome Janet.
The joy in this article Janet is deliciously palpable, thank you for sharing it. I can so relate to how we often carry on with things we do from a place that has no true connection to why it is we have chosen to do them, but rather ride on justifications of doing so believing that is what is real. Yet when we choose to move (with whatever the activity may be) in connection with how our body feels in doing so, the purpose becomes clear.
You’ve described an incredible transformation Janet. It really is amazing what exercise can do – a short 20-30 minutes of walking, swimming or general exercise per day can provide a priceless support for our bodies. I know for me that my morning work-out makes me feel much more confident during the day, and gives me something to appreciate about how I look after myself.
I love what you share here Janet, and I can relate to a constantly changing relationship with exercise over the years and decades, from avoiding it, to using it to ‘look good’ and to get recognition, to avoiding it again, to doing it somewhat regularly and feeling the benefits, without any push. Core strength is something I have ‘forgotten’ about for a bit, and I look forward to exploring that more again, in a loving way.
Being full on and pushing ourselves with exercise for what ever picture we have is just as detrimental to our bodies as the opposite of not doing anything or just the bare minimum. I’ve yo-yoed from both these ways and they definitely don’t work or support the body. What this highlights to me is that there is a lack of commitment and love for my body, and that is for me to look at and then what is needed in the form of exercise, food, sleep etc. is simple, as I’m listening and open. I’m very inspired by this Janet, especially when it comes to core strength, as it has been something I’ve avoided… or only done because I wanted a flatter stomach. But as you have shared there is so much to our core strength!
Thank you Janet for sharing this, it encourages me to be more consistent with exercising and in particular with building strength.
Janet, what a powerful testimony to the value of exercising in connection with oneself rather than the old ‘should do’ approach, that is very difficult to sustain without bringing a lot of hardness into the body.
It is beautiful to read the changes that have occurred and made such a difference in your wellbeing and daily life.
What you say makes so much sense. I know that when I take care of my body in terms of sleep and food or when I don’t this has a direct impact on my vitality and steadiness of my responses in life. It follows on that building core strength would be immensely supportive. As I was reading this I could feel my body perk up! I started sitting taller and feel more vital in some parts of my body, I could almost laugh how sweet that was, amazing that we can tell so easily if we bother to listen. I am inspired to look further in this. Thanks Janet.
There is such a lovely parallel between our core strength from a physical point of view and our core strength from a connection to self, point of view, both are easy to let slip and both deliver a power and stability that is deeply valuable.
Exercise for me is no different to breathing and it’s always fascinated me that there are those who abhor it. There is a delicate balance when it comes to exercising to enhance vitality – it’s listening to the body when it’s tired and knowing when’s the right time to exercise to break out of the fatigue and when the body is truly saying that it needs time to rest and rejuvenate. I agree Janet – having a strong core is very supportive of the body regardless of what we do in our day, be it sitting at a desk or doing physical labour.
Janet, I also found that doing the right kind of exercise helps me stay alert and gives me energy rather than depleting me, so long as I do it without pushing or trying to get a result. I used to exercise a lot but stopped doing it when I realized that I was pushing my body too hard. No exercise for several months and I started to feel a bit stagnant and then found it very hard to get back into doing it. It became like a vicious cycle because the less I did the more inertia I felt. Having started again exercising gently I find I am much more present in my body and clearer in the head.
Amazing to hear of your developing core strength Janet! Its amazing to think that by strengthening one area of our body we are offered to strengthen in other areas! The support that exercise can have for our body is amazing. Particularly loved hearing how you no longer woke up feeling anxious about ‘getting through the day’, oh the horror! It pays to be for for life!
So inspiring Janet 🙂 I’d love to get in touch with You to know more about the core strength.
For several decades, my focus on exercise was to lose weight or to keep fit but not really how it supported me during my day, and not really as something I ever really enjoyed – but more as something to that I considered was good for me, and sometimes to be endured or to tick off my list. I’ve begun to see exercise more as the way I support myself with whatever I’m doing, and while sometimes I want to avoid it, there’s less times now I’m doing it to tick off my list. This has only come about by beginning to actually be honest about how my body really feels about exercise, the type of exercise and the quality I am in when I exercise.
I can relate to what you are saying here Angela for enduring something we think is good for us or a tick a box exercise, as opposed to enjoying the way we are supporting and moving our body in exercise have completely different intentions and therefore effects on our body.
This is awesome, Janet…..and it comes from another former exercise prohibitionist! I’ve always loved swimming and yet no matter how much or how regularly I swam, my core never really strengthened as you described here. I now walk most days and revel being with nature as I do, but to actually do focussed exercise?! Not really my style. Yet lately I have felt to incorporate some stretches into my walk routine and they’ve felt great so I guess what I’m trying to express, is that perhaps I am ready for the next level – core strength. You’ve described it’s benefits in a smple and accessible way, relatable to me and I am inspired. Thank you.
Isn’t it funny that we have a strangely hopeful relationship with our bodies – that we can ignore them and treat them rather badly and that somehow they will take care of themselves. I certainly have experienced this. There are things I am prepared to do, others I dig my heels in a resist. When I do them…eventually…(you can only fight what you know to be true for so long) I discover something very delicious about myself…a treasure once buried.
Be it exercise or dental flossing, there is so much that we uncover in connection to our bodies, and in providing the care they need.
I can very much relate Janet, as exercise often is the last item on my list and sometimes it just sneaks out of my day and then it is a few days and if I don’t catch it, it escalates to a week. But as you say it does not make sense to neglect our body at the expense of things that need to be done as eventually the vehicle (my body) that I need to do the things that need to get done, is not up for it anymore.
A great sharing Janet – I can relate to the belief system that fitness has to be tough and hard. I was also one to avoid physical training because it made me more tired, needless to say I approached the training from a point of disregard, usually because I wanted to lose weight and not for the sake of my body and my health. How different it is when we connect to our bodies first and allow the body to set the standard of the training, no pushing and no demands.
Great article Janet – I too can easily get caught up in exercise as a “should do” rather than seeing it as an opportunity to deepen and develop my connection with my body. Super inspired to bring a new awareness to how I exercise, thank you!
I love the dedication in the end, “Forever inspired by the practical and loving wisdom of Universal Medicine” and totally agree. Universal Medicine is utterly practical, immensely supportive and very insightful.
Yes Gabriele, I agree with you with all of my heart and body – Universal Medicine is here supporting us all as a humanity in absolutely every area of life – from love to work to relationships to health and exercise -in a true gentle living way.
Oh Janet, I can so relate to all you have written. I have never until lately, ever succumbed to doing ‘physical exercise’. I did love to swim in the sea and catch waves and walk along the beach, but the thought of actually physically exercising the body was anathema to me! Basically i thought the body was here for me to use for whatever I wanted and I thought people were mad who wasted time over exercising. Now I absolutely love to go for a walk every day, and have found how necessary this is to my health and vitality, especially when I am spending long hours on the computer. This body is so worth looking after!
Yes, Lyndy, I too used to think that my body was there at my disposal and that I did not need to waste time looking after it. I considered it to be a burden and an inconvenience. It took me a long time to appreciate how important the body is in terms of living as a soul on earth, as our essence is expressed through the lived quality in the body.
Wow! Thank you for sharing this inspiring experience Janet. I feel to find out more about these core exercises as I feel I could do with building my core muscles also. I know it will help me with posture and to be able to walk more freely. Would love to know the exercises you are doing if you feel to share.
Amazing Janet. I’m realising in myself also I’ve overlooked these deep muscles. Recently, specifically and with focus I began working with them and was amazed what I could connect to and feel within my body. The slightest of movement was enough to connect, so I can understand how the relationship and commitment you share here Janet has brought so much change to the way you feel in your day.
Awesome sharing Janet. I have always associated exercise with pain and I decided the pain that was worth it in order to improve my appearance, however I never really enjoyed exercise. Lately I have been exercising in connection with my body, there is no pain and I find I have actually begun to enjoy moving and strengthening my body (this took 6 months mind you). Your blog shows how our commitment to our fitness is also a commitment to ourselves and a commitment to life.
Janet your blog is a great reminder to me to reconnect to my body through exercise regularly. I was attending great classes once or twice a week but have not kept this up since the classes ended. When I exercise I feel far more energised and in my body rather than my head. If I was tired when I began I adjusted my movements to be slower and lighter than when I felt like a more vigorous work-out – that’s what I liked with the classes, everyone did their own thing! I can feel my body has developed the odd ache as I’ve become less active – so now I’m inspired to get started again.
Janet exercising to feel good sounds so simple and nourishing. Your sharing is inspiring as it shows that you don’t have to make exercise hard or a push to do to to receive the amazing health benefits it brings to the body.
Having neglected the strength of my body for way too long, and realising that it is time to address this for my well being and the quality of my life, your blog has come along at just the right time Janet. And what has added to the inspiration is that you have appeared to have increased your strength quite simply, without the push, drive and over extending regimes that the majority of gyms offer, which has always deterred me from even stepping through their doorway.
I love the feeling of lightness in what you have shared. Very inspiring. Our bodies benefit enormously from this loving discipline of strengthening exercise, it supports us in other areas of our lives, giving us strength to face and deal with life and keep light-hearted and vital at the same time.
I too am learning to feel my body in a more loving way when I am at the gym and can feel the benefits of building up my core strength. This is a huge turnaround for me as for many years I really abused my body with exercise and believed that having pain the next day was part of the benefits!
I even shower before I go to the gym instead of after as I just do not push myself that hard anymore. I can feel amazing benefits in my body.
Omg I can soooo relate to your blog. When I was younger I used to thrive on going to high impact aerobics classes but this wasn’t from loving me or my body it was from drive and hardness. As things changed in my life this fell away which exposes the lack of true foundation I had with this in my life. For years I have not done any exercise and like you it felt like a chore. Last year I attended an exercise class and got to feel just how much my body loves this, it felt very supportive and I knew that I could no longer ignore it. I booked an appointment to get an exercise programme put together for me and started to do this. There was a true joy felt in my body throughout the day, my body was responding back to me from listening to it. However, through months of change and travel this got dropped and stopped .. I have yet to fully pick this back up again. What I am feeling though is how some of the exercises need to be changed to further support my body, so I can appreciate I am loving and listening to myself just a bit more work (and action!) to do in this department. Also that is what I felt and experienced to, how core exercise strengthens the back and whole of the body.
Thank you Janet you have inspired me to re-commit to my personal exercise programme and re-building my core strength which I have let go recently despite having experienced how it supports the smooth flow of my whole life. Developing strength at the centre of who I am has deeply supported every aspect of life but I have allowed a feeling of overwhelm to squeeze it out of my regular routine. What could be more important than building a true foundation for living life fully?
Thank you for sharing Janet – what I love about this is the way you approach exercise now – that this is something that can be very supportive to the body and allow you to connect more strongly to your essence, rather than something you have to do to check off your health list.
Exercise needs to be seen as what it truly is – support – rather than a way to change someone’s body or make them feel like being fit means they are doing OK.
We have a choice to listen to our bodies and do exercise that is suited to what our bodies are asking for, not a standard program that everyone should go along with. Exercise to me is now deeply personal and changes all the time, it is not a routine but rather a supportive part of my rhythm. This is a very different relationship to what I had 5 years ago.
“about the importance of looking after your body, and developing strength in order to be fit for life.” love that – be fit for life. Thank you for sharing the changes you’ve noticed Janet. I’ve exercised through out my life, regularly on and off, but never noticing the changes that you have. As it was always to look a certain way – not support me in my day. you’ve made me wonder if this is something I may be missing!
Janet I can relate to, “All my life I have avoided physical exercise wherever possible.” I have put this into the should do basket and funnily enough never get round to making the commitment to it.I have small spurts where I exercise and love it and then let it go again. I am inspired by your blog and know truly that when I have exercised to nurture and take care of myself how much I feel the strength and support of it in my body. It’s time to begin again.
‘I now have as a foundation upon which to further deepen and expand my expression in daily life, with a joyful heart and a stronger body.’ I love what you are sharing here Janet. Exercising in this way goes way beyond the physical to support us in all aspects of our lives.
Janet, this is very interesting, ‘I did not exercise from a connection to my body, but rather from a discipline and as one of the ‘should dos’ of my day.’ I can feel how this is a common way to exercise – because it is ‘good for us’. There is much we are told is ‘good for us’ and this can be running, yoga, cycling etc, I have tried many exercises because they are ‘good for us’ and sometimes they have actually caused harm to my body. I can feel that what I am told is ‘good for me’ and what actually feels loving for my body can be very different, I love to walk as this feels great, its very gentle and my body does not hurt afterwards, so I can feel how important it is to have this connection with our bodies when exercising rather than having a mental idea of what we ‘should’ be doing.
I have had short bursts of committing to exercise with a greater focus on the connection with my body than just doing it ‘because I have to’. It does make me feel more energised and supported, yet as I mentioned it’s in short bursts. Which makes me question: commitment to my body feels great, dropping this commitment does not. So is inconsistency truly worth it? By not being responsible for the quality I hold my body in what is gained and is that truly worth it or supportive of a truly successful life?
I’ve always found it fascinating that you can get to the end of a really busy Friday… the whole week behind me and at times exhausted. Yet when I hop in the pool to do some training, I emerge feeling refreshed and revitalised each time. It reminds me that exercise is not yet another drain on our bodies, but rather it supports us to be more each day. And of course it feels fantastic to feel our own strength, to have a body that supports us through our day.
Thank you Janet for sharing your experience of working on your core strength. You have inspired me to do the same. I know I need much more exercise, but it is amazing how hard it can be to fit it in. But, as you say, when you build up your basic strength in this area, then there is more energy available in the body to fit more into my day without it draining my body. I am slowly building myself into a routine of the daily walk, miss sometimes a day or so during the week, but I am feeling much benefit from that, and love the connection with myself when I give me the time to take that walk. I love your mention of your connection to the essence of who you are, that makes it even more essential for me to next integrate building my core strength.
To be fit for life is something I did not understand in its whole until I too started to do core exercise, along with dietary changes, sleeping habits, how I communicate and how I relate to people. On a physical level to build my core muscles was a groundbreaking experience, as I developed true physical strength to go through the day, but without any hardness or tenseness, just true strength. It gave me a complete new feeling of what strength actually is, it does not have to do with being strong in terms of forceful, but to have a strength that holds your body in whatever you have to face during the day. Very powerful.
That’s a good point, Rachel. By developing core strength we can actually relax the body more while moving, as the deep muscles are supporting and doing their job, so there is no need for hardness or tenseness. In the past I thought there would be a lot more clenching and straining required with exercise, and that this would certainly not be something for a woman to be doing. Nowadays, my body feels lighter and stronger and yet more gentle, because of the quality with which I am now caring for it.
Yes Janet and Rachel, so true, building strength in our body, particularly in the core means that we are actually in less tension as we move around as we cope more easily with everyday life. I love what you share Rachel about holding a strength that is not forceful but instead allows us to face the day.
I avoided exercise my whole life too and it was always a chore for me and never something I felt as supportive. Getting a dog obliged me to do daily walks and after a while I started to enjoy them, but still would only walk for/with the dog, never on my own. Recently and after many “chore walks” I started to develop a body feeling that now going for my morning walk has become something that I would never miss out again, its like taking my morning shower, it has become part of my day, part of my rhythm, it is not anything I do or have to do anymore.
Thanks Rachel. Yes, when looking after the body becomes a regular part of your day, exercise becomes a reliable and consistent support, a chance to check in, feel the quality of our movements, and strengthen ourselves so we can be super awesome!
I love the idea of having a morning routine which involves going for a walk as I always feel so much more invigorated after going for a walk in the fresh air and I can really relate to how this supports me to feel less tired at the end of the day. I notice that if I walk with awareness of the way I am moving even if I do not take time out of my day specifically for the purpose of exercise this makes a huge difference to how tired I feel at the end of the day.
That is a great point Fiona being aware and connected means we are not checked out and thinking about other things rather than moving from A to B so we are in effect doing two things at once, no wonder we have more energy when we are present!
Thank you Janet, I can certainly identify with both your fear of exercise being painful and hard and waking up with the anxiety of not having enough energy to get through the day. I attended the same classes as you and found them to be the most gentle, supportive and doable exercise routines I have ever encountered. It is just amazing how when we focus on exercising our core internal muscles, we can establish a deeper connection with our bodies, increase our energy levels and wake each day feeling energised and joyful. It is possible and one doesn’t have to sweat or hurt in order to achieve it, simple gentle exercise administered on a regular basis can work wonders.
“I never would have thought that developing my physical core strength could have changed my life, and also given me a very tangible connection to the essence of who I am.”
This just goes to show the power of committing to one thing, however small and unimportant it might seem at the time. There is always a ripple effect to everything that we do. Sometimes it may take a while for us to see this for ourselves, but the waves are always felt.
Yes, Jenny, committing to one single thing can make such a difference throughout our lives, and what I love about developing core strength is that I can feel the benefits of supporting my body with every movement, whether sitting or standing.
Our physical body plays such a big role in our lives and this easy key to care for the body is overlooked almost everywhere – specially in our common “sports”. Just think about that the term “sport injuries” is a well known and accepted term in our societies, everyone knows what it is and almost everyone has had one…
I can relate very much to the belief that exercise was unpleasant and a thing one ‘should’ do. However, through Universal Medicine presentations I, too, have come to understand that exercise is not hard and exhausting to be truly beneficial and I have not only come to appreciate it but to enjoy it.
As english is my second language I had to smile a big smile by translating to me ‘core strength’. Oh yes, thats good to support on many levels, I am sure! Our inner strength (power) is so amazing that we have to train our body to handle it.
Yes Sandra this is very important, our body needs to be physically fit for purpose, so we can live all that we are in truth.
Being physical needs to be honoured.
What a great reminder how much our life can change just by exercising to develop a core strength, not from a sense of duty or wanting to look good or to get fit but as a way to support the body to have more energy through the day. I have let my exercises slip lately, and I can feel how this has had an affect on my day, I used to stretch and do some core movements which I could really feel helped me with my day and I would not be tired when I got home from work…having the same energy when I got home as I did when I got up in the morning. Definitely time to get back into my morning exercises…Thank you Janet for the timely prompt.
The difference doing anything for the wrong reason including something that is beneficial for our body when you look at this from outside makes you smile and shake your head and say why?. People can obsess about their body and live for protecting the perfect body that is never ending at the cost of our self. As you have said, Janet people exercise because we have been told we have to, and it becomes like a self-imposed punishment. In both cases, there is no ‘self’ involved in either. ‘Core strength’ is a great phrase that describes the place our heart resides and to keep in fit should always be the reason enough to exercise!
I agree, Steve. Doing anything for the wrong reasons or in the wrong energy puts us at odds with ourselves, and so there is no true benefit even though we may be ticking all the right boxes. I love how you relate ‘Core strength’ to the power that comes from within us, more than the physical but including it as an important aspect of being able to fully embrace life.
I love that Steve and Janet, and have been very aware of the fact that with the lack of a physical core strength I have also been aware of a lack of core strength in the way I live life, finding it difficult to be honest and express my truth for instance, and swaying from one view point to another. It seems as though the core is where we hold ourselves in respect and know who we truly are. The body reflects our inner state, there is no hiding it. Our innermost being dwells in the heart, and is their any connection between the French word “Coeur” for heart, and core? maybe, maybe not, but certainly core springs from the heart of ourselves.
I have had the same negative thoughts about exercising, that it was too hard and that just walking or doing some swimming now and then was enough. Now I go to the gym and I love it. What has changed is that I am doing it for me, in support of me and my boy, and not to change my body. From a support and love going to the gym makes a huge difference.
Thank you Janet. Your mention of exercises being one of the ‘should dos’ struck a chord with me. I go for a walk every day but do not see it as exercise although I know it is a healthy thing to do and always makes me feel refreshed – whatever the weather. I joined an on-line exercise class and very much enjoyed the exercises and noticing how I gradually improved the strength and flexibility of my body but I am very aware that I lack the motivation to regularly make these exercises part of he rhythm of my day when I am on my own. Your blog has inspired me.
Thank you Janet your blog touches on a couple of very present ideals and beliefs around vitality and exercise. The ones of “If I was already feeling tired, the last thing I would want to do is put further strain on my body.” and “Eventually I started an exercise routine to include walking and swimming, but from a negative perspective that exercise was something you had to do that was apparently good for you.” I know very well and reading this I could feel I sometimes still have them running. As I can see from your blog what supports to let these ideals go is to simply start doing supportive exercise and ‘get on with it’ so we can feel the truth of the benefit of loving exercise in our bodies and that will forever inspire us to keep doing it and build a body fit for life.
Yes, Lieke, our ideals and beliefs about exercise can be imprisoning, and keep us from the joy and fun of moving, stretching and strengthening the body in a way that truly supports it.
It is so good when we find that for our bodies, and it may vary from person to person what is supportive and what is not. In the past I would have pushed and shoved my body to do exercises, nowadays it feels joyful and my body responds in the strength it has now built up and it feels like a very supportive body now for me.
Avoiding exercise when we are tired is such a huge topic, for society is living in exhaustion, evidenced by the amount of coffee we drink. So it seems likely that many will avoid exercise due to feeling too tired, yet just by moving the body we reconfigure it, and find that energy comes to us if we are gentle and caring in how we do this.
Very inspiring Janet, I am still looking for what would be best for me in terms of exercises although I go for walks a lot and the occasional swim.
Yes Alexandre, I found this blog very inspiring indeed. I am doing light gym work – half regularly, and walk most days, but have ‘forgotten’ my core strength for some time. I will definitely revisit and explore further – funny I have a Personal Training session booked tonight at my gym, so I know what I will ask for : )