Are Mindfulness and Fitness Connected?

We have always believed in the connection of the mind, body, and how they can positively (or negatively) affect each out. In every practice and therapy we offer at IPT, we make sure to incorporate mindfulness into healing.

But how does this tie into fitness and exercise?

CNN published an article titled “Finding Peace Through Mindful Running” and The New York Times published another article titled “To Train an Athlete, Add 12 Minutes of Meditation to the Daily Mix,” which both inspired us to delve into this topic a little further.

The first article talks about a lifetime runner, who lost his passion for the sport because of outside pressures. He had the potential to be an Olympic athlete but outside influences affected him and turned him off of running instead. Now, many years later he found himself missing something in his life and decided to take up running again. But instead of putting the pressure on himself for times and PRs (personal records), he is coaching runners to focus on finding their peace and breath through the sport.

The second article talks about how the University of Miami football team incorporated 2 groups of relaxation into their training and the results they experienced. The team was split into groups, 1 focusing on relaxing exercises and the other on meditation. The athletes that practiced the relaxation methods continuously saw real benefits in their mood and demeanor.

While different approaches, the articles tackle the same idea how the mind can help us accomplish and overcome so many obstacles in life.

So tell us, do you think Mindfulness and Fitness are connected?

If you want to read the full articles, the links are below:

1. http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/03/health/sw-mindful-running/index.html

2. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/21/well/live/to-train-an-athlete-add-12-minutes-of-meditation-to-the-daily-mix.html