I used to be a middle and long distance runner during those school days. I enjoyed running because I could win easily over my school mates. Besides, there was a strong attraction towards it holidays in malaysia I kept running for a period of six years.
That experience was actually a gradual feeling that comes by as one starts running. It is a moment that I could forget myself and reach a soothing state that I always persisted to feel. And naturally I couldn't gain much of that experience in those short distance events such as the 400, 800 or 1500 meters, where they were Tm Directory and all over within a couple of minutes. It was actually in the mini marathons and the cross-country races that I felt the joy.
What's the magic in cross-country races?
The moment one runs on terrains, bushes, holes, slopes, undergrowth and under the large trees, one actually gets tuned or connected to nature. The life forces of the earth is passed on to us through its ground and the plants. Being careful not to step on the wrong spots and the cushioning effects of the earth or grass against the heels of our legs in comparison to the bitumen track of a stadium, creates the awareness of the runner over his body. It is no more mechanical setup streamyx mail that of the athletes.
The cool shelter of large trees, the cooing of the birds, the calls of certain animals gives that natural, peaceful effect that the mind forgets about that competitive feeling of thinking about the other(competitor). One is able to relax and settle down his thoughts on to the awareness of the body. Its rubbing against the leaves, the running motions, the sound of one's running steps on the background of other sounds, really takes you to that level of stress free state. It is indeed energizing.
Why not competitive running?
Well, all running are good exercises. However, professional running has become more mechanical. The runners are more interested to expose their performance. They are constantly strategizing themselves to beat their opponents and these running thoughts will only heighten one's stress level or the anguish of being overtaken by others.
Capitalize on this feeling
So the next time you run or jog, don't do it like a competitor. Run for the sake of the love for running. As you streamyx 1mb tired, sit and rest under a tree. Breathe in deeply and feel the life forces of the earth. Appreciate the peaceful, natural surrounding and modern day tensions will start disappearing from you gradually.
It is easier to adopt jogging compared to other sports or methods. You have the whole countryside or park to jog. If you are an athlete, you become too good at it that it becomes mechanical and the sensation of the body given less thought. You should actually swing your arms and legs as much as possible so that the awareness of the body is intact. Don't get distracted by the other movements around you but feel that motion of the body. Slowly, your thoughts will start disappearing one by one and you have come to attain that refreshing, thoughtless moment.
You will soon realize that your fear and anger gradually disappearing when you get into this practice. But all methods will come to end one day. That day your jogging will become mechanical and you don't get much of that soothing sensation anymore. That is the time you should drop jogging and go for other methods like dancing or swimming.
Geeva Nathan
Freelance Writer, Teacher and Trainer
Writes on general topics.
Special interests topics include Stress Management, Anger Management, Meditation, English For Second Language Speakers.
http://unitythoughts.wordpress.com
