Exercise

Humans evolved as hunter-gatherers, which means our bodies function optimally when we get lots of various kinds of activity -- walking, running, squatting, carrying loads and dancing come to mind.

I currently work in a library handling (literally) tons of journals a year. I take every opportunity my job provides to do "load-bearing exercise"* by carrying journals by hand (as opposed to putting them on a cart and wheeling them around), going up and down the stairs while carrying them (as opposed to loading them onto an elevator) and basically just trying to make my job into an emulation of the hunter-gatherer lifestyle. (I've been known to dance and sing in the mailroom.) I may be whacko, but it makes me feel great!

Additionally, I count myself as fortunate to have had some premier instruction in the martial arts and to have learned the principles of ki** and "the unification of mind and body." I try to incorporate ki principles in all of my activities (walking, driving, sitting, planning my life), but my practice of golf is the forum I use for continuing to develop my understanding and integration of ki principles.

*Why is load-bearing exercise important? See Miriam Nelson's website at strongwomen.com

** For a brief overview of the principles of ki, see this synopsis by a Sensei from the Virginia Ki Society.

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Last updated: June 26, 2003