Flexibility

I never knew what a little dose of sunshine could do! I literally feel like I'm on cloud nine. These past couple of warm days have given my that burst of energy I definitely needed.
So my topic of the day is fitness. For the longest time I used to think that I was only really exercising if I ran my guts out. I really couldn't even relax during the day if I hadn't done a heart-racing workout that morning to justify lounging around the house. Yeah, I know... I've got issues.
Well now I believe I've gotten swept up onto the yoga train, and took a pitstop in zumba land too :) and I absolutely LOVE it! Who knew working out could be so fun! Being a runner, I was always so tight and couldn't even touch my toes (remember the sit-and-reach from elementary school?). After about 6 months of yoga, I can now get my wrist over my toes! Me! It feels so good! I feel like I actually have control over my body. It will listen to me! And I think I might be getting some biceps too :) I started out with some Tara Stiles youtube videos and just got hooked. I'm not into all of the look-inside-of-yourself mumbo, and Tara really focuses on the fitness side of yoga, which is just up my ally. And then there is zumba, the fast paced latin areobic dance class that is just more fun than a barrel of monkeys.
That all to say, I think I am finally learning to appreciate other forms of exercise than running. I may not be drenched in sweat everytime, but I am learning that there is more to fitness than burning calories. It is also about wholeness, balance, and relaxation. We shouldn't always have the mindset of exercising for the sole purpose of losing weight. It can be part of something so much richer. There is just something about feeling in tune with your body, like you belong in your skin, seeing it as your friend instead of some thing you have to beat into submission. I am reminded of the fact that God values our bodies, that He made us as embodied creatures, and He said that it was good. We shouldn't be fooled into some sort of Platonic dualism that tells us our bodies don't matter. Learn to love your body for all of the wonderful things God has created you to be able to do. Give Him a shout out of praise from that side-plank pose :)
So that's just what I've been thinking about lately. Namaste from on top of the Mountain!