When Spirituality Meets Movement

Whenever you’re feeling fatigued or depressed, it is common to receive the advice to go outside for a walk or to get your body moving. People have long understood the connection between movement and health, both physical and mental. We are just now starting to understand how deep that connection is and how far back it stretches into history. In fact, many of the ancient martial arts or exercise practices are based on ways to connect spiritual health with physical health.

Many of these practices are still done today by people all over the world and have multiple health benefits that are recognized by practitioners of Western medicine. From reducing stress and anxiety to improving circulation and lowering blood pressure, the benefits of these exercise forms begin and end at the heart.

While each of these forms of exercise has a distinct philosophy and distinct movements, there are commonalities found that help each practitioner make the connection between spirituality and movement and that connection starts with the breath. Whether you’re practicing yoga in a studio or tai chi in a local park, all movement is guided by the breath and focusing on deep and intentional breathing. This serves as a reminder to stay in the present.

Ta’i Chi

This ancient martial arts practice originated in China and is now practiced throughout the world. It started as a method of self-defense and quickly became more widely practiced as multiple health benefits were found to be associated with its practice. The guiding philosophy of Ta’I Chi to train its followers to meet violence with flowing movements that are designed to protect and defend through soft movements and flexibility.

Chi Gung

Also known as qigong, Chi Gung is the ancient Chinese practice of cultivating life energy (qi or chi) through moving meditations, deep breathing and meditation. Originally it was a secretive practice and the knowledge was passed down from master to student. Over time it has become more widely known and practiced around the world and with that came emerging styles of chi gung with a focus on overall health and wellness, not just spirituality and meditation. As chi gung has become more popular, more and more people practice it as a way to combine exercise and spirituality.

Yoga

Yoga is probably one of the most recognized forms of exercise with strong spiritual ties. In the past few decades it has become popular all over the United States and indeed the world. With its roots dating back to many of India’s oldest religions, including Buddhism and Hinduism, yoga is one of the most widely known disciplines that focus on the mind, body and spirit connection. While there are many different styles of yoga, all styles focus on using the breath to aid movement and keep you in the present.

Through the focus on breath and movements that often mimics nature, these ancient arts can provide a way for you to focus on the moment at hand and the way that you are connecting with the world around you. These practices aren’t simply an exercise and they aren’t simply a meditation, they are a way for you to escape the jungle of thoughts that consume you and to strengthen the bonds between your mind, body and spirit.