To some people, fitness is just about the body: tone  it, trim it, tighten it, pinch it, make it hurt, zone out. Kick high, run hard, pump iron.

These days, fitness is taking on a whole different meaning.

Being fit still includes fitness of your body. Yes, indeed. We aren’t going to leave that out, especially because it makes us feel good about yourselves. But forget the zone-out part, I mentioned above. Now, bring your mind along for the ride. If you ask it to join you as you mindfully work through a routine, suddenly your fitness practice becomes holistic … and it can leave you feeling a whole lot better inside and outside.

Types of Mindful Fitness
There are three different levels of mind-body fitness practices, as I see it:

• Body Toning – Ok, so you go to yoga class, but you’re just there to work your butt and stretch your thighs. Still, it feels good, and you’re addicted.
• Relaxation and Meditation – A mindful routine becomes a great excuse to take a break from your crazy life, breathe fully, and relax. But as soon as you’re done, you dive back in to the crazies.
• Lifestyle – Tai chi isn’t, for example, just about deep breathing or balance techniques. It – or any other you try – is about the way you move through your life, the food you eat, how you interact with others, and the clothes you wear. The routine affects you every minute of the day.

How does a mindful practice help my recreational pursuits?
No matter whether you work out at a gym three days a week, backpack once a year, or paddle Class V whitewater every weekend, being able to clear and to focus your mind on the task at hand will help you perform better and be more relaxed. Having a clear and focused mind while out there doing what you do best can also mean you'll be less prone to accidents, and have a better time because you'll forget life's other stresses!

Uh-Oh, Is it a lifestyle?
You don’t have to get all weird and “oohmm out,” as I’ve heard some people put it, to do a mindful practice, so don't worry if that’s not your thing. You can still shop in the market down the street and work the same job. These practices don't mean you must change your religious beliefs, lifestyle, or friends, as I've heard some people worry about!

You will still be fit, although getting fit and strong won’t necessarily be the goal, but rather what happens along the way. In fact, there is no true goal. These practices are all about process and enjoying the moment.

Sound good? Tired of sizing up your thighs and weighing in? Tired of being unfocused and tense? Then maybe it’s time to try a more mindful practice, or even practice your normal routine and activities more mindfully.