Exercise Involves More
Than Just Your Body
For Healthy Transitions
September 14, 2015
Jill Stein, Northwestern Medicine Osher
Center for Integrative Medicine
Exercise Involves More Than Just Your Body
What else?
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Benefits of exercise
Improves mood
Is an outlet for stress
Increases self confidence and self
esteem
Increases focus
Promotes better sleep
Improves all aspects of health
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Everyday opportunities for exercise
Long walk
Climbing stairs
Housework
Gardening
Lifting and carrying (ex. Grocery
shopping)
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Exercise Involves More Than Just Your Body
Mind/Body
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Elements of mind/body exercise
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
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Common mindful exercise formats
Pilates
Tai Chi
Yoga
Mindfulness can be used in any
format or activity
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Exercise Involves More Than Just Your Body
Mind/Body
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Who can benefit?
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
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What are the benefits?
More effective breathing
Increased physical awareness
Increased mental awareness
Having strategies to deal with
stressful situation
Increased fitness
Increased flexibility
Increased range of motion
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Exercise Involves More Than Just Your Body
Mind/Body
Common Formats:
Pilates
• 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
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Exercise Involves More Than Just Your Body
Mind/Body
Common Formats:
Yoga
• 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
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Exercise Involves More Than Just Your Body
Mind/Body
Common Formats:
Tai Chi
• 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
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Exercise Involves More Than Just Your Body
Mind/Body
Other Formats:
Nia
• 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
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Exercise Involves More Than Just Your Body
Mind/Body
Other Formats:
Strength and Balance
• 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
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Exercise Involves More Than Just Your Body
Mind/Body
Points
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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
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Key Facts
Exercise Involves More Than Just Your Body –
Mindful movements, Physical and Mental Health, Self
Awareness
Questions?
Exercise Involves More Than Just Your Body
Resources
Exercise 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 You
Exercise Involves More Than Just Your Body