Expressive Motion

The human form is profusely expressive, we've become so "civilized" that we've forgotten the captivating thrills of expression through motion. Movement isn't necessarily about calories burned and prestigious accomplishments, these are by-products, but not causes. The causal variable in highly active people is the beauty of mind-body integration, the inexpressible trance of being fully engaged. 

 Motion through landscapes can be perhaps the most romantic existential experience; being not only in the environment but integrating yourself with that environment. Breathing in the molecular products of nature inadvertently labouring away for your benefit. Intersecting and connecting your destinies with  unknowing critters. This is where I derive my motivation.  

 What the fitness industry has done is it has eloquently bottled up and sold what you can freely and naturally obtain with visceral curiosity. Find a natural landscape and plot numerous ways to navigate through it: be that climbing, running, walking, swimming,  or a mixture of all of the above. Rekindle your intimate connection to the Earth and relish in its bounties and abundance. 

I would of course first encourage you to learn the requisite skills and perform the requisite tension-release and postural alignment prior to this.

 When it comes to expressive motion (or "fitness") it has, experientially, been most prosperous and fulfilling to not entrench yourself exclusively in any single form. A specialty is necessary for mastery but within maintaining a mastery there can be many auxiliary practices. A runner can be a gymnast on the side, a weightlifter can be a track athlete, a gymnast can be a weightlifter. To immerse yourself without pretence is most resourceful.

Personally, the philosophical and visceral insights garnered through navigating forests (trail running, hiking) has yielded the most substantial mental and physical gains. I derive the largest sense of satisfaction from long distance runs in nature, be that with a small tribe of like minded individuals or by myself. Nothing can replace the visceral bliss of a sun-kissed run deep in the bellies of the rainforest geared as minimally as possible.