Spirit, Mind, Body – Ordering the Trilogy
By Kelli Calabrese
It would be remiss of PFP to have a mind body issue and leave out the third part of the trilogy “spirit”. I know, I know, never talk religion or politics, well, this won’t be the first time I go against convention.
4 years ago while on a plane, I turned to a blank page in my notebook and in the middle I wrote the word “EXERCISE” and drew a circle around it. Then I began drawing tentacles out from the circle and wrote some of the following words; nutrition, environment, relationships, longevity, mental state, income, and emotions.
Based on my experience as an exercise physiologist, I knew first hand that if people could make exercise a regular and important part of their lives, it would have such far reaching effects on their eating choices, personal hygiene, stress management, sex life, finances, their environment, social habits, thinking and more.
I smiled excitedly; convinced I had just birthed the idea for my next book. In the weeks following I began to do research on the proven effects of exercise on income, health, socialization, longevity, family and so on for every major area I knew exercise affected. I felt profoundly close to putting all of the pieces together. Then I decided to meet with a writer – who is in fact now the editor of this publication, and she listened intently to my thought process waiting for just the right moment to insert her feedback.
She looked me in the eyes and said, “Kelli, what if God was the center of the circle and not exercise?” I sat back in my chair realizing that I could not argue and that at the time I was not qualified to write a book with God in the center of it. Instead of feeling defeated, I left the meeting, crossed out “exercise” and wrote “God” in the center and exercise as one of the tentacles. What if spirit came before mind and body?
The greatest philosophers in the world have pondered that and similar questions such as what is the meaning of life? If our talents are to help people live longer stronger more vibrant, healthful and energetic years in body and we know that our directives have a positive effect on the mind of our clients, where does the spirits role lie?
Current scientific findings are confirming what we know intuitively to be true, that spirituality is good not only for the soul but for the body as well. A growing amount of research is beginning to define the complex connections between spiritual beliefs and practices and an individual’s physical and psychological health. According to a recent WebMD article, people who attend religious services, or who feel they are spiritual, experience lower levels of depression and anxiety; display signs of better health, such as lower blood pressure and fewer strokes; and generally feel healthier. A common denominator of centenarians is a belief in a higher power.
There is an increasing acceptance of the mind-body connection into mainstream medicine and fitness. Doctors are considering emotional, mental and spiritual causes for illness, and referring their patients to stress management, meditation and other programs for help in healing. As trainers we have witnessed clients enjoy relief from physical and emotional pain, a reduction in the symptoms of chronic health conditions, and increased vitality and enthusiasm in their lives as a result of physical, mental and spiritual transformation.
The belief that you are able to use your thoughts, body, words and spiritual practice to manifest health in your body, mind and emotions can only enhance your and your clients condition. The disbelief will do the exact opposite. You hold the key to your spiritual awareness and only you can forge that key. I invite you to accept the challenge to explore some deep questions about your purpose and how you can best serve your clients. What you will discover in answering that can open a whole new inner world.