Exercise Involves More Than Just Your Body

For Healthy TransitionsSeptember 14, 2015Jill Stein, Northwestern Medicine Osher Center for Integrative Medicine

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• Improves mood• Is an outlet for stress• Increases self confidence and self

esteem• Increases focus• Promotes better sleep• Improves all aspects of health

Exercise Involves More Than Just Your Body

Benefits of exercise

What else?

• Long walk• Climbing stairs• Housework• Gardening• Lifting and carrying (ex. Grocery

shopping)

Everyday opportunities for exercise

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• Exercise that is intentional or “mindful”

• Exercise that keeps you mentally and physically engaged or present

• Exercise that increases self awareness and internal focus

• Exercise that emphasizes breath• Exercise that emphasizes alignment

Exercise Involves More Than Just Your Body

Elements of mind/body exercise

Mind/Body

• Pilates• Tai Chi• Yoga• Mindfulness can be used in any

format or activity

Common mindful exercise formats

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• Those dealing with stress• Those dealing with anxiety and/or

depression• Those who want to improve their

health (mental and physical)• Those who want to be more mindful• Everyone

Exercise Involves More Than Just Your Body

Who can benefit?

Mind/Body

• More effective breathing• Increased physical awareness• Increased mental awareness• Having strategies to deal with

stressful situation• Increased fitness• Increased flexibility• Increased range of motion

What are the benefits?

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• Breath – focus on how to continue to breath while engaging core muscles and adding movement

• Alignment – how to move properly and safely on a mat and during your day

• Mindful movements – range of motion that is comfortable for your body and supported by your core

• Focus – being able to move through the exercises without straining or holding your breath, continue to check in with yourself

Exercise Involves More Than Just Your Body

Common Formats: Pilates

Mind/Body

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• Breath – focus on feeling the breath, patterns of breath, and pairing breath with movement

• Alignment – paying attention to how the body is positioned to maximize health and safety

• Mindful movements – find how the poses work well for your body using props or modifications as needed

• Focus – being able to move through the exercises without straining or holding the breath, continue to check in with yourself

Exercise Involves More Than Just Your Body

Common Formats:Yoga

Mind/Body

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• Breath – focus on how to breathe in a healthy way, get in touch with what muscles we use to breathe

• Alignment – how do we stand and move well, maximize movements in a standing position

• Mindful movements – flowing movements referred to as “moving meditation”

• Focus – being able to move in a strong, healthy and balanced way; Continued self awareness

Exercise Involves More Than Just Your Body

Common Formats:Tai Chi

Mind/Body

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• Breath – breathing freely with movement• Alignment – option of using bare feet to be more aware of your

body and to strengthen your feet• Mindful movements – moving in a way that feels best to your body.

Everyone will look somewhat different • Focus – freeing your mind and body to move in a joyful way

Exercise Involves More Than Just Your Body

Other Formats:Nia

Mind/Body

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• Breath – how do we tend to breathe versus how we can breathe more effectively

• Alignment – find the plumb line to maximize neck and back health• Mindful movements – moving in a way that feels safe for our body;

Working around areas of injury, pain or restriction• Focus – Listening to your body, continue to check in with yourself

Exercise Involves More Than Just Your Body

Other Formats:Strength and Balance

Mind/Body

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• Everyone can benefit from mind/body exercise• Any exercise or activity can be done “mindfully”• Allow yourself to be present and focus in• Pay attention to how you feel physically and mentally• Listen to your self

Exercise Involves More Than Just Your Body

Points

Mind/Body

Key FactsExercise Involves More Than Just Your Body – Mindful movements, Physical and Mental Health, Self Awareness

Questions?Exercise Involves More Than Just Your Body

ResourcesExercise Involves More Than Just Your Body - Group Classes at Northwestern Hospital - Fall Session. Not Too Late To Register. - Fall Classes Start Monday, September 28th

- To Register Call: 312-926-8400; classes.nmh.org/listing/all

Thank YouExercise Involves More Than Just Your Body