Yoga, it was taught when I took teacher training, was developed to strengthen the body so that a person could sit in mediation longer and more fruitfully. This idea goes back thousands of years.
“We treat the body rigorously,” Seneca said, “so that it will not be disobedient to the mind.”
Seneca was a contemporary of the apostle Paul. He was a Stoic philosopher back when philosophy was the study of how to live a better life. Much of what he wrote sounded so much like Paul it was eerie.
Wendy Suzuki, PhD, professor, and neurobiology researcher, discovered that physical activity had many positive impacts on the brain.
Getting exercise as you are able has been shown to improve tendencies of depression.
Developing spiritual practices in your life benefit from adding physical practices. Paul used many examples from athletics in his letters—that was probably not an accident. He saw the benefits of the discipline and health of those athletes.
When you feel stronger and healthier, your study, prayer, and service become easier.
Try a couple of these several times per week:
- Running
- Sprints alternating with jog or walk (high intensity interval training)
- Walking
- Cycling
- Resistance training (with weights or bodyweight)
- Yoga
- Pilates
- Water Aerobics
- Swimming
Switch it up to keep it interesting.
It’s the holidays, a time where weight gain is easy. Exercise will help a little to counter that.
Faith Venture 
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