Watching the evolution of the fitness industry over the years has been entertaining. It has gone from party-like aerobics (80’s), to Olympic-like Step and Spin (90’s), to Eastern-ish yoga and Pilates (2000’s). BUT now i think we are on the verge of a mega-breakthrough. Signs of a “new and more intelligent” fitness approach – on a massive scale – are starting to show up everywhere I look.
Yesterday, I was the fitness tech on a photo shoot for Natural Health magazine. (The five page feature, written by Sarah Bowen Shea – includes a workout designed by me – will appear in their November 2008 issue.) I don’t know if you can tell by the photo, but everything from the lighting and the set to the clothing (100% cotton!) and the mood, was serene. I felt like I stepped into the future. Simple, happy, soft – the workout we photographed is about maintaining “good energy” around the holidays and showcases cardio, stretch and strength.
We’ve come a long way, baby! A big shift is occurring and I’m so glad to be around to witness it. Fitness is going from intensity-centric workouts to energy-centric ones. It’s no longer about heart rate, calorie burn, body mass index. All that stuff has it’s place in the research lab, but exercise (and not just yoga) is turning into an opportunity to unite the mind, body and spirit and sooth the psyche.
Over the next few weeks, have your own little experiment…enter your workouts with “good energy” in mind and then (if you want, no pressure!) let me know how it goes. Do you workout longer? Is the workout more enjoyable?
