I first stumbled onto the concept of spiritual exercise because of a nagging pain in my back. It was a pain that would not go away despite hours of ice, heat, stretches, and chiropractic adjustments. "I know what the problem is," my chiropractor finally announced one day. "Your spiritual practice stinks and you're in lousy shape."

He was right on both counts. While I kept meaning to meditate and exercise regularly, life as a working mother constantly intervened. And so I began to get up early and walk, and while I was at it, to save time, I prayed.

An amazing thing happened. By meditating as I exercised, my body became charged with positive energy; my head felt clearer and my soul lighter. Unlike the phantom exercise programs of my past, this one was made me feel so great it was easy to stay committed to it. The back pain disappeared as my body grew stronger. My days, in turn, became both productive and peaceful. I thought I'd invented something miraculous.

But, in fact, combining spirituality with exercise is as old as the hills. Since religion began, pilgrims have walked, Sufis have whirled, and yogis have stretched, all with prayer as their guides. And the trend continues. For the last twenty years, Bible Belt Christians have merged prayer with everything from rock climbing to kid's baseball and step classes, as part of an effort to build community. 'Fitness ministries' with names like "Fit for Him," "Body & Soul," and "Praisercise" have sprung up across the country. Meanwhile, most yoga has become the ‘next big thing’ in the US, with most American health clubs now offering several types of yoga throughout the day. Yet, since most health clubs still maintain rules prohibiting religious teaching, you're more likely to find exercise classes, with an overt spiritual basis, in churches, temples and community centers around the country...

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© Copyright Suzanne Falter-Barns. This article was originally published at our website, SoulfulLiving.com, in May 2002, as part of Soulful Living's "Self-Improvement" Issue.

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