Your body is a temple. It’s where your soul resides, where life literally pours out from. When you are given a precious gift, do you treasure it? Do you do everything in your given power to ensure that gift is taken care of? Well, have you ever considered that the most precious gift you’ve ever received is your beautiful life? A gift so miraculous that it is completely unique and one-of- kind? So rare there is no replica of it.; the only DNA on earth that exists or that will ever be.

So, when these things are considered, isn’t your life worth moving for? Worth championing? Worth respecting?

When I was in my early 20s I worked out tirelessly…for all the wrong reasons. Beach body, image and societal pressures, on a spiritual level idolising beauty and body is as toxic as not moving at all. God doesn’t want us to do either. He wants balance in our lives.

In my late 20s I was diagnosed with Lupus, suddenly I was transported into what felt like a tired 90 year old body. My Lupus mimicked arthritis and I couldn’t even dress or bathe myself some days. As I recovered from my flares my mother and husband would take turns walking me along the shoreline, at the local beach where we live. We would see how long I could walk for – always measuring my distance as signs of progress, recovery and health. Those walks were precious. They were important. They were so much more than just exercise, they were mental, they told me “I COULD” once again. 

Being fearless, trusting and optimistic is the starting point from which movement can then begin.

No matter what health sentence you’ve been given, work with, around and for it. In an honouring way.

I now am in full remission of Lupus, I engage daily in mild-more intense exercise routines that I tailor to work for my body on any given day. I adapt and strive now not for a beach body society tells me to have; but for agility, strength and honouring the beautiful gift God has given me. When I work out hard my endorphins fire, I feel complete peace…frankly when my endorphins are firing I reach a meditative state of connecting to my faith on a whole new level. 

The beautiful realisation is that we all can have this free gift of movement on some scale, for where we physically are right now. We all  can meet our appropriate edge, if we just take a moment to prioritise it.

The Doing

I have learned through trial and error that there could never be a one-size fits all approach to exercise. What is good for some if terrible for others. My husband runs triathlons, I enjoy and cheer him on for his achievements, however for me it is not a fit. 

TRY

I have tried many different forms of conditioning for the body and out of all the different movement options available, my personal favourites are the ones that leave me feeling lifted. When I write “lifted,” I mean lifted emotionally, spiritually and mentally/physically stronger than before. 

Attempt classes that sound and look fun for you. Not only will you be proud of the fact you tried something new, you will be motivated to try other things in your life. There are many studies that show when a human tries something new it has incredible positive impacts on the brain. 

Meet your appropriate edge

When I could walk again, I walked a few steps outside in the fresh air. Let your ability build and don’t be disheartened if the next day you can’t keep up with the day before. KEEP at it. No matter how small, no matter how incremental the movement, just don’t give up.

When I started moving after one of my flares, I did a chair yoga class for the aged. I now can do fast-paced, heart pumping exercise classes! The key is to do and compound your own personal ability.

Mindfully rest 

When you are not intentionally moving your body for strengthening and wellness, rest intentionally. Sit, curl up, lie in the fetal position. The balance of both movement and rest equals a rested whole! Passive, lazy movement can be quite toxic to the mind, leading to lack of motivation, and moving on to other negative side effects. 

Resources I love – tried and tested

• Adriene Yoga: I cannot say enough about this incredible exercise resource. Gentle, movement focused and very relaxing. I like to use this form of movement when I don’t want to drive to the gym, when my body feels it wants a stretch and strengthening workout and when I want to incorporate my own christian meditation into the end of the practice – truly making it my own! I highly recommend trying her 30 day challenges also. https://www.youtube.com/@yogawithadriene

• • Forest Bathing: As a person who really enjoys incorporating movement with my faith, slow intentional walks through beautiful parks and forests in my area is one of my absolute favourite ways to quiet my soul and gently move my body. Rambling mindfully through a forest, considering God’s creation and pondering on my reading or verse of the day truly elevates a simple walk, into something quite transcendental. Kudos to the Japanese for coining this beautiful phrase of simply enjoying nature. 
  • Gym: When I am craving to chase endorphins and meet my appropriate edge, the local gym with various equipment is fantastic for meeting that need. From weights, to every cardio machine possible it’s a place where I always know I can leave feeling truly cleansed. Detoxifying through sweating and mentally airy, it’s such an important part of my own personal movement needs. A note that is important is that a toxic culture can occur at some gyms, so do your research and find one that meets your personal needs. From all female gyms, to gyms catering to the retired demographic – not all gyms are about pumping iron and bodybuilders – which can be intimidating.

• Reformer Pilates: Throughout my life one routine that has truly been a blessing is Reformer Pilates. Gentle, but oh so strengthening. Targeting the deep abdominal wall muscles and pelvic floor, all movement truly designed for deep rooted strength. It is so phenomenal on the joints and yet so incredibly powerful. I have sat in classes with all body types, all ages and skill sets and I can attest that once you land on your own bed and start it truly is your own journey with YOUR body. 

From swimming, cycling and dance; the key to a sustainable, prolonged and daily routine is to stick to what moves you, what you enjoy and most of all what your body needs. One of my most treasured memories is meeting one of my now dearest friends at the gym. Moving with a friend is incredibly encouraging, motivating and fun. Being social and moving simultaneously brings upon nutrients to the body and mind that move past what we can ever comprehend or see. The key is to just start.  

God created your body to honour and respect. If we sit back and expect the work to be done for us miraculously, it won’t happen. We have been given tools and resources in this world to utilise for our benefit, our job is to DO.

Comment below and share what has “moved you.”