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TCM & Cardio Workouts

In the west, we think of exercise as an essential part of health- just like eating right. Most of us think good forms of exercise include going to the gym, lifting weights, taking aerobic-type classes, running and so on. The eastern perspective is that over-doing it can actually deplete your energy, not just because of injury and illness, but because the internal qi, or energy, is neglected in these activities. Meditation, qigong, tai-chi and even yoga are slow-moving exercises that cultivate the qi that animates each of us. It must be protected and nurtured in order for us to sustain long and healthy lives.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the heart controls body fluids and sweating profusely can result in a depletion of one’s heart energy. The liver controls ligaments and tendons and over-exercise or injury (sprains, tendonitis, strains…) puts more demand on the liver to nourish and care for these tissues. Mild or moderate exercise quickens the flow of the body’s qi, which is beneficial- but by straining our bodies and sweating excessively, we can lose a lot of the precious qi that we should be trying to preserve.

My Personal View

I run on a regular basis and while it is hard on the joints, I firmly believe in its benefits. Not only can proper training and regular cardiovascular exercise benefit the body and the immune system, but the mental health benefits are significant. Most of us have very sedentary lives compared with the way people used to live; regular physical activity is necessary to keep the heart and muscles in good shape and to relieve the stress that we all feel.  However, I also agree with the TCM perspective that moderation is important; there is a difference between invigorating exercise and excessive exercise. Working out responsibly is imperative. If you are a lover of cardiovascular workouts, take care to stretch after your activity, too; drink plenty of water and fluids on a regular basis, not just after you exercise (coconut water is supposedly a great drink for rehydration); summer heat is dangerous, so avoid daytime exertion (morning and evening are much cooler and safer); make sure to build REST days into your weekly workout schedule, as these are essential for the body’s recovery and repair; listen to your body when it tells you to stop or slow down- pain is a warning sign that something is wrong. Your body needs to grow into the cardio workout regimen in a gradual way. Be realistic and build up slowly toward your goals.

No matter what activity you choose, the best exercise routine is one you can stick to! From my own experience, I think a fantastic regimen involves a moderate amount of cardio and weight bearing exercises, plus incorporating regular meditation or tai chi or yoga to quiet the mind, relieve stress and to strengthen internal qi. This is a recipe for balance and true fitness!