Cindy Strnad on thu 8 nov 01
I'm reading all this and thinking--moderation.
From what I've read in the past, I think both
camps are right. Yes, exercise is necessary, and
yes, meditation in its various forms can keep that
muscle building process going for longer than it
might continue with exercise alone. And eating
sufficient high-quality protein is another key.
But don't neglect the healthy carbs (I'm not
talking bread and noodles here, but green beans
and spinach and apples and oranges and such.)
Back pain can be caused by all sorts of things,
not least among which is tension. Exercise is a
proven tension-reducing "drug". So is meditation.
One needn't exercise for an hour at the gym every
day to reap the benefits, though if one enjoys
that sort of thing, there's nothing wrong with it
as long as it's not overdone. There is such a
thing as wearing out one's body. Ask female bees,
who work themselves to death inside two weeks
time. But to reap a large percentage of the
metabolic, emotional, and tension-reducing
advantages of exercise, one need only take a
brisk, 20-30 minute walk on most mornings. Why
mornings? Because in the morning, one also enjoys
the best sunshine of the day. Better than
full-spectrum lighting.
One needn't meditate for an hour a day in the
lotus position to enjoy the benefits of
meditation. That's good, because I don't like the
lotus position. It makes my toes turn purple. The
"experts" say ten or fifteen minutes in a
comfortable position will do a great deal of good.
I, personally (and I have no studies to back this
up), feel that 10-15 minutes dreamily strolling
through the woods or sitting on a rock with the
sunshine on my face or sitting over tea or letting
good music fill my spirit with joy plays a pretty
good second to "real" meditation.
One can't build world-class quads by walking,
running, or even swimming, but these things are
probably more likely to alleviate back pain than
weight lifting, especially in the acute phase of
the back pain. Once the back pain has been brought
under control, a moderate regimen of anaerobic
exercise would certainly be of benefit. It
definitely should be combined with aerobic
exercise, proper diet, and for yet more benefits,
with meditation as well. All things in balance.
Cindy Strnad
Earthen Vessels Pottery
RR 1, Box 51
Custer, SD 57730
USA
cindy@earthen-vessels-pottery.com
http://www.earthen-vessels-pottery.com
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