Sensational Fitness: Change How You Measure & Experience Success
I truly love how Covid-19 forced so many of us to convert from our pre-pandemic, formal, indoor workouts to “Sensational Fitness.” With most gyms and yoga studios closed, we had to venture outside to walk, hike, run, bike, swim, row, golf, garden, stand-up paddle, horseback ride, practice yoga, and meditation, or whatever else inspires us to move and breathe well.
Sensational Fitness revolutionizes how we relate to ourselves and others, including our loved ones and wildlife, as they can more easily join us on our fitness escapades. Rather than use electronic devices to compare ourselves to others on the internet or in class, we tune into our five senses, hence the term sensational fitness. We use our divine, innate senses (touch, hearing, sight, smell, and taste) to monitor our feelings, insights, and connection to nature and our loved ones as we exercise.
We also outgrew the bad habit of regarding incomplete quantitative data from electronic gadgets as the whole truth. Sensational Fitness provides the dream team with both qualitative and quantitative feedback. If we so desire, we can still measure our distance and speed with electronic gadgets, accompanied by superb qualitative data through tuning into our “internal internet.” For example, our internal internet registers and assimilates our sensations as we feel exhilarated from seeing an exotic bird for the first time on a hike. Our innate intelligence senses blood rushing through our veins, tingling all across our bodies, and broad smiles on our friends’ faces as we enjoy spectacular wildlife showcases.
Sensational Fitness also provides off-the-charts better entertainment value than traditional workouts. There’s just no comparison between rowing indoors on an erg versus rowing outdoors on the San Francisco Bay. Rowing becomes much more fun when you never know what those crazy seals will do! What the hell is this seal doing?
Outdoor rowing also gifts us with the refreshing, healing scent of saltwater, wholesome sunshine that nourishes us with Vitamin D, and an enchanting sense of open space and freedom. This “free” outdoor venue is hands-down better than rowing indoors in a crowded, noisy, for-profit gym.
Here’s one last Sensational Fitness example: the “Annual Big Wheel Challenge” on San Francisco’s steepest hill (which, by the way, is NOT Lombard Street). This event illustrates adults reliving childhood thrills and, in the process, reclaiming their creativity, courage, and athleticism.
Sensational Fitness is very near and dear to me. It encapsulates my training and experience in teaching yoga and Pilates for 30 years, my doctorate in physical therapy, and my outdoor adventures: running, swimming, cycling, hiking, kayaking, rowing, stand up paddling, snowboarding, and surfing. That’s why I will be sending a series of newsletters about Sensational Fitness.
I’d love to hear about your experience with Sensational Fitness. Please share with me via email.
Breathe Well to Be Well,
N. Raine O’Connor
Ambassador of Breathing, Yoga, & Pilates
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Author of Rescued by My Breath