M’exercise through M’exertation

I find it perplexing that people cannot put their cell phones down. We are ruled by a three inch by five-inch mobile computer. Our bodies are the best bio-computer ever invented, yet we are conquered by this device to be in constant communication with all of our friends and family. The biggest social experiment ever, started with the iPhone and frankly there’s no turning back.    

I must admit that I enjoy the benefits of having text messages, email, google, safari, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for my personal and business life. I don’t spend much time on any one platform. I do not text and drive (anymore), I have Bluetooth and can take phone calls in my car without maneuvering around to answer the device. So, I give a big thumbs up to the technology.

When I am at the Sports Club, I have noticed folks doing their routine workouts with ear buds for music and I think that’s OK. Music is enjoyable and you can personalize your own soundtrack to sync with your workout but then in comes a phone call. Similarly, some people conduct their business while on the equipment, I know this because they are talking to themselves. I don’t think that’s bad, but it looks funny.

Also, I have noticed that some people like to get on their phone and text or reply to texts while on 30 second breaks, throughout a 60-minute workout. That is somewhat distracting, but in both examples, I am sure they are multitasking because of the society we live in. Are they getting what they came for? I don’t go to the gym to work on business or socialize on my phone. I go to the gym to have an exercise experience. I like to clear my mind of the external world of business, problems, stress, anxieties, and sorrows, and get my body working physically.

​I like to M’exercise. ​

​I don’t know if that’s a word, maybe I invented it, but it means meditate and exercise simultaneously. M’exertation is the process of doing this. Clear the mind by stopping all the self-talk, create space, emptiness and put your mind into the muscles. Listen to the instructor, I like spin classes and body pump, and find that closing my eyes allows me to concentrate better. Both classes have music and I listen to the beat, rhythm, lyrics and focus on how my body feels.

​As the physical intensity increases and the muscles start to weaken, I visualize an imaginary point in my mind where there is no pain, where pain cannot exist, and stay there until a break comes along which is usually through the instructor’s voice.

My definition of exercise would be; To separate oneself from all other distractions, concentrate on the mind-body connection and burn some calories, resulting in self-care, clearing of the mind, and physical stimulation. How’s that?

M’exercise can be done walking, running, lifting weights, in a yoga class, spin class, palates, etc., but be careful when you are maneuvering on roads, sidewalks or any other perilous areas. Be conscious of your surroundings and that’s M’exercising too. After I M’exercise I like to experience how my body feels, and the M’exertation that follows is my inner voice checking breath, feet, legs, my six pack (I wish), gluts, shoulders, back, arms, hands, neck and head. I like to settle into the body sensations, and savor them, keeping my mind serene and tranquil. The cool down after the cool down.
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I don’t go back to the locker and grab my smart phone. Why would I after I worked so hard to get to that state of bliss? Truly how many out there can do this? If you can this is how you start to manage your life to be free from the rule of the device. I give myself 20 minutes after a workout to enjoy what I described, no phone, no radio, no T.V., minimal interaction, a mind-body experience.

The cell phone, iPhone, smartphone is only a recent phenomenon. My parents didn’t have a long extension cord for the rotary phone (what’s that? Google it) to take to the Gym, heck there were only YMCA’s back then anyway. Child care or baby sitters, same thing. Just one generation ago, we left forwarding numbers to restaurants, friend’s houses, and any other place we were going to “IN CASE OF EMERGENCY.”  And guess what, we very seldom got a call. Are you getting the picture? Honestly just try to put down your smartphone for short periods of time, like when you work out, eat dinner at home or out, and when you’re driving. The internet and mobile devices like smartphones are a wonderful technology to augment a life that has much more to offer.      ​