Mindul Exercise

[James123]

Does anyone have experience in practising mindfulness when exercising, such as cycling, jogging, jump rope etc etc?

[Matt Y]

The short answer is Yes.

A longer response:

It's true, you can 'practice' mindfulness whilst doing pretty much anything, including typing responses on this forum, exercising, walking or talking.

However, I feel that trying to be mindful, whilst engaged in these activities, can make it a bit artificial. It can even take the fun out of some things, because mindfulness when done consciously, tends to be a bit dry and serious.

If you like cycling, or gardening, or walking or crochet, for that matter, you probably enjoy it already; and you're probably having fun and engaged with the activity in quite a mindful way, without having to add 'mindfulness' on top of it.

Also, a formal mindfulness practice works in part because you are sitting quietly, and can therefore differentiate between subtle experiences. When you are engaged in 'louder' physical activity, you miss the subtle feelings, thoughts and emotions that arise.

[Gareth]

It's true, you can 'practice' mindfulness whilst doing pretty much anything, including typing responses on this forum, exercising, walking or talking.

Absolutely.

As time has gone on, I have found that life itself has become the meditation. This morning I meditated at the same time that the boys were in the same room being "challenging." I watched the frustration and the urges to yell rise and fall; it felt like a very worthwhile meditation.

My wife was also in the same room by the way. I wasn't sat there with my eyes closed while they were drawing on the wall or anything.

[piedwagtail91]

I go nordic walking and do that mindfuly. There's so much going on in my body there's lots to be aware of.
That walk is purely mindfulness and exercise.
Other walks are mindful and more aware of what all my senses tell me, and at a more relaxed pace as well
I have ridden the bike mindfuly, mainly into gale force headwinds when I've held awareness on my legs!
Probably my most enjoyable ride was done with awareness of my body.letting my body dictate my effort. It was one of the easiest of all the100 miles rides I'd ever done.

[Gareth]

100 miles?

Crikey Mick, that's a ride and a half.

[piedwagtail91]

100 miles?

Crikey Mick, that's a ride and a half.

it was self harm, i couldn't do what i wanted to do or be'who i wanted to be'.
i was doing a couple a week, building up to a 200 mile+ around june, i couldn't and wouldn't do it now.
add to that 5 miles a day walking, for the same reason and i'm surprised i'm still here.
mindfulness changed all that, nordic walking replaced the bike rides and yoga replaced the weight training, to which i had the same approach as bike riding, make it hurt, do some minor damage, work around it and hurt something else in the next session..

the most pleasant '100' i ever rode was the only one i rode mindfuly,a week or so after i overdosed.that was the only one that didn't hurt. i listened to my body, let that set my breathing and the rest fell into place.
i've never felt so fresh after a ride as i did after that one.
mindfulness makes a difference.

[aly4519]

https://soundcloud.com/headspaceofficia ... on-running

https://soundcloud.com/headspaceofficia ... on-running

[Jaizkibel]

I guess the point is being able to be mindful all the time, whatever we're doing. I would make a difference between 'being mindful' and 'practicing mindfulness' though.

I sit with my eyes closed for my 'formal' practice, where I learn how to be mindful, and then I try to take that state of awareness to my everyday life. So, I could say I apply mindfulness while running, but I don't practice it. Does it make any sense?

[Gareth]

I guess the point is being able to be mindful all the time, whatever we're doing.

It's impossible to mindful all of the time. I think the aim is to be mindful more of the time.

[James123]

https://soundcloud.com/headspaceofficial/headspace-on-running

https://soundcloud.com/headspaceofficia ... on-running

Thanks Aly, appreciate it.