Wholistic Fitness

{“i am the ancient trail threading itself through geology, patted down by puebloan warriors. deer dance upon me, snakes tickle me during their nightly traverses.” coach ilg running, Bryce Canyon, Utah. photo by Ananda.}

the initial encountering of our undisciplined mind can be very scary indeed. for three years i ran straight away from zen meditation before devoting myself to it. the most difficult �sport� i�ve ever done? sitting still.

a certified HP Yoga Teacher of mine had a new student. one of those who approach the spiritual journey from their intellect. you know the type; they have read all the zen books and can converse artfully about meditation yet rationalize some excuse to the actual practice of daily sitting.

this is why the spiritual Masters tell us to take pilgrimage into the desert.

there, there is no choice but to learn to stillness among thorn bushes.

there is no choice but learn how to cherish sweat.

there are predictable masses who complain of the heat while driving air conditioned behemoths across the Mohave desert. or they snarl boredom as they empty their great gas tanks across the Great Plains.

how quickly we forget the cascade of perspiration by those upon whose shoulders we stand upon:

remember me?

i am the Native American, bewildered upon a mesa overlooking the slaughter of the sacred buffalo by the white man.

i am the dying Asian, commissioned to slave labor on the railroad.

i am the pioneer over whose dead oxen and family your Interstate speed was born.

remember me?

i am the mountain whose bowels have been gutted again and again to make your travel speeds higher and higher.

i am the highway workers along the Mohave desert, paving for the first time, Route 66 in skin splintering heat.

remember me?

i am the ancient trail threading itself through geology, patted down by puebloan warriors. deer dance upon me, snakes tickle me during their nightly traverses.

get out of your car, noble one…and run upon my hide. seek refuge in my beauty, spread my gentle ceaselessness into your days.

Your Workout Is Everywhere;

cultivating Awareness and

Appreciation for all your luxuries…

namaste,

coach ilg