Wholistic Fitness

Namaste Noble Fitness Warriors!

yesterday, my intent was to crank off one of my favorite mountain bike rides, Sullivan Canyon, early in the morning. one might think that given my experience in daily workout rituals, this type of get-out-the-door discipline comes easy to me.

it does not.

i still experience struggle – like you – in creating the uncarved block of time required for the “yang” Wholistic Fitness disciplines which must be done to achieve a balanced physique and mind: Strength Training and Cardio Training. Yoga practice hovers between the yang and yin while the other two “yin” fitness disciplines of Meditation and Nutrition eventually become as fluid as each moment and thus, require less logistical preparation.

I allowed the cascade of emails and other business to flood over the start time i had planned for my bike ride. It was nearly noon and very hot by the time my Higher Mind forced my ego into submission and got onto my bike.

Though ninety percent of the time, my Cardio sessions begin with great joy as i feel released into breath and being. But yesterday, my workout began as mere spiritual grunt work. I had to force my chattering mind to take backseat to my breath. Birdsong and ocean breezes were absent from my companionship. Besides myself, only a few lizards scurried under this sun, it seemed.

Sullivan Canyon is no junior varsity workout. From my house, the loop travels 24 miles up and down coastal ridges before a 6 mile upstream haul through Sullivan Canyon proper. At mile 15, after thirteen stream crossings, the final mile of Sullivan hits you as hard as a bounced rent check. Its 17% incline is steeped in breezeless broiler heat. As was the case yesterday, rattlesnakes often guard this section like Hindu serpent deities testing your sincerity; you ready to die for what you feel to be go(o)d?

Knowing the veracity of this loop, within the first fifteen minutes of my workout, my ego began chirping incessant excuses and lobbying for a shortcut around the truth of my intended workout. I had to force my Higher Mind to take up the sword of Truth and slay the egoic gossip. Through carefully measured breaths, I began focusing on yoga, which in this circumstance meant linking breath with my pedaling cadence. Faith that through the holy water of sweat, my workout would take on Her usual blissful qualities if i could just gather enough spiritual momentum. I began my chant that i use on days like this one, when feeling mentally feeble: “Just finish the workout, just finish the workout, just finish the workout.”

I did.

And the magic arose. Because i was brave enough to endure.

“Of all the disciplines, endurance is the most important for it is to he whom endures that spiritual victory is assured.”

-Buddha

May Your Weekend Workouts Be Strong and Sincere…

(and full of Magic!)

I bow to you,

coach ilg