Rebirth Through Exercise

 by Darlene Sowa

 Spring is nature's way of saving,
'Let's Party!'

Robin Williams

The energy of spring is the energy of rebirth and new beginnings, of celebration and growth. Marci Starck tells us in Women’s Medicine Ways that it is a creative time in which “we move to an outer place… to celebrate the renewal of life.” One of the best ways to make the most of this time of renewal and create a body filled with vitality and an abundance of energy is to exercise.

The truth is we are always creating. Rhonda Byrne tells us in The Secret that “You create your life with your thoughts. Because you are always thinking, you are always creating.” The challenge is that we have about 60,000 thoughts each day and most of these thoughts are unconscious. This results in creation by default. The universe will always give us what we think about most, whether these thoughts are conscious or unconscious. We may not even be aware of the fact that our predominant thoughts about our body are of pain and fatigue. As a result of these unconscious thoughts, the universe supplies us with more pain and fatigue. So how do we use exercise to create a different scenario? The key is to set a clear intention and focus on high vibrational thoughts during each workout.

Let’s say you decide to start (or restart) a walking program. Before you take your first step, set the intention to use this time to create a vibrant and healthy body filled with joy and enthusiasm. Each minute we are creating millions of new cells in our body. By setting the intention that this process be done with joy and enthusiasm, we are using our creative powers to generate healthier, more vibrant cells. The more you can imagine it, the more you will experience it as your reality.

As you walk, focus on each step connecting with the energy of mother earth. You can do this even if you are walking on a treadmill, although it does take a little more imagination. In The Nia Technique, Debbie and Carlos Rosas describe the feet as “the hands that touch the earth” and the legs as the limbs that “carry the energy of the earth to (our) whole body.” As you continue to walk, feel the energy from the earth continue to travel through your body and revitalize each and every cell. Step with strength and confidence and let these feelings sink into your body as you move forward. Tune in to all that the legs enable you to do and express gratitude and appreciation for the service they provide you. Work your way through your body, sending thanks and appreciation to your arms, your back, your heart and your lungs. Before you know it, you will have walked over 30 minutes and created millions and millions of new cells filled with an abundance of love and vitality.

Strength training also gives us an opportunity to consciously create a healthy body that sizzles with enthusiasm. Let’s take the arms as an example. Deb Shapiro reminds us in Your Body Speaks Your Mind that the arms represent our ability to embrace life, to caress or push away from our experiences. As you work on strengthening the arms, focus on your ability to take in all the beauty and blessings that the universe has to offer. Feel the cells in your arm muscles absorb nourishment from your surroundings and embrace all your experiences with excitement and anticipation. And remember to thank the arms for all the many things they allow you to do.

As nature reveals her true beauty this spring, let the beauty of your authentic self blossom through a conscious exercise program. Move with a mission and make that mission to create a body that allows the brilliance of your spirit to shine through and light up the world. Celebrate spring and the rebirth of the new you!

Darlene Sowa, M.A., CHTP, is an exercise physiologist and certified Healing Touch Practitioner. She currently conducts Spirit on the Rise workshops and lectures on exercise from a spiritual perspective. She can be reached at darstar1@sbcglobal.net or (586) 979-9060.