Pearls of Exercising

Theologian Howard Thurman, the first African American dean of chapel at a traditionally white U.S. university (Boston University) taught, “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” 

Thurman likely was referring to being intellectually, interpersonally, and spiritually alive, but it takes a bodymind approach to be “alive” actively. Having the energy for aliveness is a necessary first ingredient. For those with physical limitations, this bodymind talk can be off-putting, but I do not intend for anyone is be left behind on some off-ramp that does not apply to them. Let’s investigate possibilities.

A recent article in the New York Times featured 97-year-old Elaine Lalanne, widow and business partner of fitness guru, Jack Lalanne. Jack was a proponent of exercise aliveness with his brand of fitness moves on a daily TV show for 34 years (1951-1985). He modeled what he preached, exercising up to his death at age 96.

Elaine continues to shape up aliveness with this mantra: “20 minutes a day gets me on my way.” She starts her routine before leaving her bed in the morning with 25 jackknives. While at her bathroom sink she engages bodymind with incline push-ups. After dressing, her routine finishes in a home gym. With machine guidance, she walks uphill on her treadmill and then finishes with lat pull-downs on other equipment.

Here is a kickstarter: “Everything starts in the mind,” Elaine advises. Having the discipline to exercise one’s physical body is key. But there is more to the story. Jack had this advice: “Exercise is king. Nutrition is queen. Together you have a kingdom.” Bodymind integration is one path to aliveness. Working out a traditional way was good for the Lalanne couple.

• What about exercise for those without fancy equipment? PBS and the internet offer wonderful exercise programming.
• What about exercise for those in wheelchairs or those with limited overall mobility? On a PBS TV station in the morning, there are two chair-exercise programs; one features chair yoga (in beautiful outdoor settings to inspire you) and another promotes half-hour stretches accomplished from a seated position. The internet provides many variations of exercises from a wheelchair.
• And what about exercises in spirituality? I find a morning Mindful Reflections meditation group (started during the pandemic) as well as a church community meaningful.

Let’s come full circle to embrace more of Howard Thurman’s wisdom: “The hard thing when you get old is to keep your horizons open. The first part of your life everything is in front of you, all your potential and promise. But over the years, you make decisions; you carve yourself into a given shape. Then the challenge is to keep discovering the green growing edge.”

To embrace “aliveness,” keep growing in all bodymind ways.

Pearls of Peace (PoP) Quiz

221. How do you describe “aliveness?”

222. What are your exercises for growing aliveness?