Original examples of Conscious Movement include Feldenkrais, Alexander Technique, Tai Chi, and Yoga. Today’s clubs and fitness industry are moving in the direction of conscious movement, but are they going to get it right? For example, should a class with yoga postures + boxing + loud music be considered conscious movement? What is the difference, ultimately, between the vertical inclusion of meaning and the horizontal inclusion of body techniques? I want to offer four distinctions, or criteria I believe are necessary to help frame the conversation about what makes a session or class, Conscious. These points are found in all the great mind-body programs. Does yours meet the standard?

• Intention: intention to transform and explore what meaning might be found in meeting the upcoming challenges.
• Learning: expanding one’s repertoire, nervous system, brain wiring (and however else you put it) creates new connections. Transformation and consciousness are interested in new connections.
• Inquiry: You, the you that inquires, must make deep and meaningful connections with the observed (your body, your relationships, your thoughts and emotions)
• Awareness: What you are capable of being aware of, or your ability to ware, must expand.

With these points in place, you can be assured that the exercise you are sharing with others or practicing yourself is indeed more than just exercise.

Epic Workout and Yogic Warrior Conditioning is but one expression of Conscious Movement, one that happens to explore the relationship between yoga, functional training and transformation. Now go move, learn, heal, and transform!

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 26th, 2009 at 1:02 pm and is filed under About Epic.You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.