Kinesthetic Naturalism and Exercise

Exercise is a crucial part of Kinesthetic Naturalism. It's even a part of the name, "Kinesthetic", to learn from physical interaction with the environment. This is one of the three most common learning styles, the others being visual and auditory. We use physicality, exercise, as a way of learning about our body and it's function, as a way of learning to listen to what our body is telling us, as a way of being in contact with nature through outdoor activity, finally as a way being/feeling healthy.

To what extreme do we take this exercise, well the goal is to push yourself, beyond your limits, but only just. It is unnecessary to exercise so hard that you vomit. However, a certain level of fatigue is desirable. Often I will exercise until I am exhausted and walking home from my workout spot is an opportunity to do walking meditation or post workout stretching meditation. Since I am fatigued it is easier for me to turn my mind off and let go of the day's frustrations.

So the question is "How much and how hard to work out?" Well this is where you need to listen to your body, be conscious and in the moment. Know yourself and use the experience to being to learn your limits. Then push those limits. Some of us are capable of extraordinary physical exercise and others aren't, and that is ok. It's all relative. If you are only capable of a short hike that is ok, but do it and as often as you can. Try not to compare yourself to the runner who passes you or the person who you pass. We are each at our own level, with our own strengths, or own weaknesses.

Here is my base workout. This is several weeks in two phases, if you choose to try it, remember know your limits. Don't progress until you are able. But always do your best, being honest with your own abilities and limitations.

 RUNNING SCHEDULE I
WEEKS #1, 2: 2 miles/day, 8:30 pace, M/W/F (6 miles/week)

WEEK #3, 4:
3 miles/day, M/W/F (9 miles/wk)

WEEKS #5, 6: 2/3/4/2 miles, M/Tu/Th/F (11 miles/wk)

WEEKS #7,8,9: 3/4/5/2 miles, M/Tu/Th/F (16 miles/wk)

PHYSICAL TRAINING SCHEDULE I
(Mon/Wed/Fri)

WEEK #1:

4 X15 PUSHUPS

 4 X 20 SITUPS

3 X 3 PULLUPS

WEEK #2:

5 X 20 PUSHUPS

5 X 20 SITUPS

3 X 3
PULLUP

WEEK #3,&4:

5 X 25 PUSHUPS

5 X 25 SITUPS

3 X 4 PULLUPS

WEEKS #5& 6:

6 X 25 PUSHUPS

6 X 25 SITUPS

2 X 8 PULLUPS

WEEKS #7&8:

6 X 30 PUSHUPS

6 X 30 SITUPS

2 X 10 PULLUPS

WEEK #9:

 6 X 30 PUSHUPS

6 X 30 SITUPS

3 X 10 PULLUPS

RUNNING SCHEDULE II
(M/Tu/Th/F/Sa) TOTAL

WEEKS #1, 2: (3/5/4/5/2) miles 19 miles/week

WEEKS #3, 4: (4/5/6/4/3) miles 22 miles/week

WEEK #5: (5/5/6/4/4) miles 24 miles/week

WEEK #6: (5/6/6/6/4) miles 27 miles/week

WEEK #7: (6/6/6/6/6) miles 30 miles/week

PT SCHEDULE II
(Mon/Wed/Fri)

SETS OF REPETITIONS

WEEK #1, 2 :

6 X 30 PUSHUPS

6 X 35 SITUPS

3 X 10 PULLUPS

3 X 20 DIPS

WEEK #3, 4

10 X 20 PUSHUPS

10 X 25 SITUPS

4 X 10 PULLUPS

10 X 15 DIPS

WEEK #5:

15 X 20 PUSHUPS

15 X 25 SITUPS

4 X 12 PULLUPS

15 X 15 DIPS

WEEK #6:

20 X 20 PUSHUPS

25 X 25 SITUPS

5 X 12 PULLUPS

20 X 15 DIPSj

This is my minimum workout, when I get to the end I take a break and do other things then roll back to the beginning.

Kinesthetic Naturalism

In response to a multitude of things, not the least of which being my inability to find a system of belief that I can identify with, which is the subject of a whole other matter, I have decided to form my own "religion","spiritual system",...pick your label. The basic idea is this, through exercise (preferably outdoors), barefootedness, education, and meditation one can achieve good health physically, mentally, and spiritually. 

To that end I will advocate the above and discuss in greater depth each of the four core activities and how we can become more tolerant, peaceful, understanding, resourceful, less judgmental, and more aware of ourselves, our feelings, our actions and the roots of all the above. That's quite a mouthful but in short we can just be better people.  In Kinesthetic Naturalism you'll find elements common to most belief systems, honesty, fairness, and so on, in addition though you'll find a Buddhist influence, the notion of suffering and how to "end" suffering, at least for yourself, or at the very least how to understand it.

So if you would like to join me then cast away your shoes and open your heart and mind so we can journey together and support each other as Kinesthetic Naturalists.