Natural exercise: the key to your physical well-being

Natural exercise, also known as natural body movements, refers to physical activity that mimics the movements our ancestors performed in their daily lives. Unlike structured gym workouts, natural exercising focuses on functional movements that engage various muscle groups and promote overall health.

Indeed, natural exercise offers a holistic approach to physical activity, emphasizing movements that align with our innate abilities. This style of exercising involves integrating the mind, body, and spirit into your fitness routine.

Here are some key aspects of this approach:

  1. Mind: Developing a positive mindset is essential for enhancing motivation, resilience, and an optimistic outlook on overall well-being.
  2. Body: It includes many workout modalities, all using your natural strength and yoga. It is critical to understand that natural strength training focuses on utilizing your own body weight and motions to increase muscle tone.
  3. Spirit: This element is about connecting with your inner self and building a sense of balance and harmony. Walking in a calm park allows you to sense your whole body’s motions and how your mind governs each muscle.
  4. Consistency and Patience: Fitness is a journey, not a destination, and employing a natural approach may increase the time it takes to see results.
  5. Emotional well-being: This type of exercise aims for emotional and spiritual well-being, not just physical fitness. It is about overall health and well-being, staying on track, and always improving in all aspects of your life.

Remember, the goal of a holistic natural approach to fitness is not just about having a strong, aesthetic body but also about being mentally and spiritually ‘fit’. It’s about overall health and wellness, moving in a positive direction, and constantly improving in each aspect of your life. It encompasses vitality, mental clarity, and a sense of connection to the world around us.

Let’s explore some techniques for your natural exercise routines

  1. Outdoor Workouts: Nature provides an excellent setting for natural exercising.
  2. Grass: Use grass as a soft surface for activities like springing, bounding, jumping, lying down, and push-ups.
  3. Hills: sprint up hills for an extra challenge or sprint down not-very-steep hills for surprising difficulty.
  4. Trees: Practice handstands and planks against tree trunks, and hang off their branches.
  5. Endurance, Strength, Balance, and Flexibility: Natural exercise encompasses all four types of exercise:
  6. Endurance: activities that increase heart rate and breathing, such as brisk walking, running, or cycling.
  7. Strength: Exercises that build muscle, like bodyweight movements (push-ups, squats) or weightlifting.
  8. Balance: activities that improve stability, such as yoga, tai chi, or standing on one leg.
  9. Flexibility: stretching exercises to maintain joint mobility and prevent injury.
  10. Holistic Approach: Natural exercise considers the mind-body connection. It’s not just about physical fitness; it’s also about mental well-being. Incorporate practices like yoga, meditation, or mindful movement.
  11. Variety and Playfulness: Unlike repetitive gym routines, natural exercising encourages creativity and play. Climb, crawl, jump, and explore your environment. Engage in activities that feel enjoyable and intuitive.

Remember, the key is to move your body in ways that feel natural and sustainable. Whether you’re hiking, dancing, or doing bodyweight exercises in a park, embrace movement that aligns with your body’s innate abilities and promotes overall health and vitality.

Let’s explore some of the benefits of natural exercise:

  1. Improved Mood and Mental Health: Natural exercise has been demonstrated to boost mood and reduce symptoms of sadness, anxiety, and stress. Just 10–30 minutes of exercise may have a significant effect. It may boost the brain’s sensitivity to serotonin and norepinephrine, chemicals that alleviate sadness. Exercise also increases the synthesis of endorphins, which promote happy sensations and lessen pain perception.
  2. Weight Management: Inactivity contributes significantly to weight gain and obesity. Natural exercise helps to control weight by boosting energy expenditure.Combining aerobic exercise and resistance training increases fat reduction while maintaining muscle mass, lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease.1.
  3. Muscle and Bone Health: As we age, we lose muscle mass and strength, increasing our risk of injury. Natural exercise decreases muscle loss while maintaining strength. It also helps grow and maintain strong bones.
  4. Creativity: Natural exercise promotes creativity and play, as opposed to regular gym regimens. Climb, crawl, leap, and explore your surroundings. Engage in things that you find fun and intuitive.

Conclusion

Remember, fitness isn’t solely about lifting weights or running on a treadmill. It’s about feeling alive, connected, and attuned to your body and the world around you. So go ahead—embrace natural movement, explore the outdoors, and nourish your well-being.

Resources:

Holistic Fitness: A Transformative Approach to Mind, Body, and Spirit – Trainerize.me

Exercise as Part of a Holistic Approach to Health | Australian Institute of Fitness