by William Lee Rand
Our species emerged several hundred thousand years ago during which time we were hunter/gatherers; our survival was based on a high level of physical activity. This has given us bodies that are capable of physical exercise, but more importantly, require physical exercise to be healthy. In fact, exercise (along with a healthy diet) is one of most important aspects of a healthy lifestyle. According to the Mayo Clinic, exercise controls weight and combats health conditions and diseases including heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, depression, certain types of cancer and arthritis. It also helps us feel better physically, improves mood, increases one’s energy level, improves sleep, enhances the quality of sexual activity and can also be fun and entertaining. (1) Considering the conditions under which our bodies evolved as well as the proven health benefits, it's important that people include healthy exercise as part of their daily activities.
And in fact, for some people, it's easy to exercise. This is because they really like and even love exercise. We all know people like this. They have exercise books, exercise clothing, may belong to a gym or have exercise equipment in their homes, are part of a club or group and look forward to their next workout. At the same time we also know people who find it difficult to exercise. This is because they dislike it. They don't feel good thinking about exercise and when they actually do exercise they feel uncomfortable. In many cases, the main thing they think about while exercising is when they can stop. Because they don't like exercise, they have little motivation to do it.
But what would it be like if we could change what we like and don't like? What if what we like or don't like to do is actually based on habit rather than on having a predisposition for or against it? Keep in mind when considering this idea that habits can often pretend to be so powerful and engrained within us that they seem to be part of who we are and because of this, it is difficult for us to imagine being any other way. If this is how you're feeling right now, don't allow this to control you. This is an illusion. You are not your habits. You are something much more powerful than this. When we accept the concept that an unhealthy tendency is not who we are, but is just a habit and that we have the ability to change that habit, we move into a place of personal power and have greater ability to become the kind of person we want to be.
What if a person who doesn't like to exercise could become a person who likes and even loves exercise? If this were to happen, it would be very easy for this person to start and maintain an exercise program because he or she would be doing something that is fun and brings enjoyment and happiness.
Using a simple Reiki technique that anyone who has Reiki Level II can do, it's possible to transform yourself from a person who has little interest or enjoyment in exercise to someone who really loves to exercise. This technique is based on the use of one of the Reiki symbols. The original nature and purpose of this symbol was lost to some extent when Reiki was brought to the West, but now that better communication has been established with the original Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai, the Reiki school started by Usui Sensei, the true purpose and power of this symbol is more clearly understood. This symbol is sometimes called the 2nd symbol or the mental/emotional symbol. The original purpose of this symbol, which was used by both Usui Sensei and Hayashi Sensei, is to change one’s habits. When used for this purpose, and when used properly, it has great power and can change our lives for the better.
The technique I'm going to explain to you may sound overly simplistic and because of this you might not think it will work. Yet it is very effective when used properly. The most important part of the technique is that it be used on a regular basis as the effects of the technique will steadily develop over time. By making use of the technique, your enjoyment of exercise will gradually grow so that eventually, you'll forget that there was ever a time when you didn't like to exercise. Exercise will become an enjoyable habit that you look forward to.
Okay, so here's the technique.
1. Set aside 30 minutes 3 times a week that will be your exercise time.
2. Decide on the type of exercise you will do. This should be something simple that isn't too strenuous. This could be as simple as going for a walk, jumping on a mini tramp, skipping rope, doing calisthenics or other exercises or some combination of these.
3. Get a small card the size of a business card and on the card write the following affirmation: "I love to exercise."
4. Before you start to exercise, take out your card, place it in one hand and with the other hand draw the mental/emotional symbol over it. Then hold it between your hands for 5 minutes allowing Reiki to flow between your hands and through the card. This will send the affirmation deep into your psyche and empower it with the transformational energy of Reiki.
5. Then begin to exercise.
By doing this, you'll find, often with the first exercise period, that you experience some enjoyment during or after the exercise. Now keep in mind that the secret of success to this system is that you must continue the process and do it on a regular basis, a minimum of 3 times a week. (You may do it more frequently once you get started, but 3 times a week is the minimum necessary to make the process work.) By using Reiki with the mental/emotional symbol and your positive affirmation, you'll be greatly enhancing the habit of enjoyment for exercise so that this feeling of enjoyment will be something that will continue to grow and develop over time. After doing this for 3 weeks or so, you'll have formed a habit that is both emotionally and physically based in which both during and after exercise, you'll feel enjoyment. In addition, you'll be reaping all the healthy benefits mentioned above. Because of this, the habit will become self-reinforcing so that as you continue, healthy exercise will become a permanent part of your life.
If you're a person who knows you should exercise, but finds it difficult to do so, this is the technique for you. I welcome you to try it, as you'll soon discover that exercise no longer takes effort, but is something you enjoy and are naturally drawn to do.
1 http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/exercise/HQ01676
