Chris Forte on yoga, running, and building a strong body and spirit.
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The intent of this writing is to go with our Podcast, “Let’s Get Physical”
At the age of 30 I realized I worked out differently than most. I worked out with a Purpose. I’ve been physically active since the age of 15, giving me 30 years of experience, and I’ve always set a ten year barometer (how do I want to feel at 30? at 40? 50?).
At the age of 38 I discovered HIT (High Intensity training). I transformed my body in one year, to its physical peak. At age 41 I brought my spiritual fitness routine into my HIT workouts, concentrating on breath, mantras, prayer and affirmations. My physical body was peaking more than I could possibly imagine or visualize. Even though this 2 day/45 min a week HIT workout kicked my butt, it was all that I needed. I complimented this with running 4 times a week at 4 miles per run–my meditation time. I thought I had this all figured out: my workout for life.
Then in February 2014, my mental-physical-spiritual connection transformed again when I discovered yoga! Yoga was a place I needed to come to heal my heart and soul. I still did my HIT workout and my 4 mile run, trying to figure out the right combination, but by July 2014 when my 17-year marriage was collapsing and coming to an end, I couldn’t physically handle the HIT training or the running so I just stuck with yoga.
Yoga: seven days a week, sometimes twice a day. The spiritual work had prepared me for this new kind of conditioning, as I knew this would be for my highest good. I took it one breath at a time, one day at a time. Yoga broke me down and brought me back up.
For one full year, all I did was yoga and go on walks outside to be in touch with nature. By July 2015, to my amazement, I hadn’t lost much muscle mass, but more importantly, I was feeling an amazing energy that didn’t come from HIT or running. HIT training is a different form and practice with unique benefits, and combined with yoga is the ultimate workout. The Humble Warrior Workout–A Workout With Purpose.
Stay tuned for The Humble Warrior Workout, as it’s in development. It is a perfect workout for yogis who want to build some muscle and release a different type of energy beyond what their yoga practice offers. As for the physical fitness person like myself who has tried everything, all I would suggest is to give yoga a shot. Compliment it with your daily routine, be creative.
For all those who want “A Workout with Purpose” you can start right now by shouting from the rooftops, “I AM THE PURPOSE!” When you know that YOU are the purpose, everything in your life becomes purposeful.
Live Brave,
Chris
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This article originally appeared on Chris Forte
Photo credit: Getty Images