The Quest for Holistic Health: Understanding the Balance Between Physical Activity and Inner Peace

Growing up, I always saw my Dad as the less healthy one in our family. When I was 11, he experienced internal bleeding in his stomach and ended up in the hospital. From my earliest memories, he was frequently on some form of medication. Over the years, he had a stint placed due to a clogged artery, and later, he needed a pacemaker. The pacemaker was particularly tough for him as it symbolized a heavy burden on his heart.

However, since his semi-retirement, he has taken up Chinese calligraphy again, finding immense joy and solitude in it. It has become his daily meditation, and he has become healthier than ever, walking faster than my Mom and doing more overall. He seems to be in harmony with his heart now. Although he was never into gym workouts, he used to do yard work and walk around Chinatown for work. At 73, he maintains a good spine, experiences minimal stress, and appears quite healthy to me.

In contrast, my Mom, who had always been active and never needed medication before, began to struggle mentally during Covid. Her physical health deteriorated significantly, and she became very weak. The stress she experienced has led to a curvature in her spine. She now finds it difficult to walk quickly and requires frequent breaks. This period marked the first time she had to rely on medication. Growing up, she was constantly on the move, even pacing around restaurants. To this day, she remains restless, which may be a way of avoiding confronting her inner pain.

We all face traumatic experiences, and my Mom often stayed in a victim mindset, blaming external factors rather than exploring her own issues. She clung to past grievances for decades and kept herself incredibly busy to avoid facing them. During Covid, this avoidance caught up with her, and she became very ill in her stillness.

This leads me to question the nature of health. While movement is important, how does it compare to being still, meditative, and peaceful? My grandmother lived healthily into her late 90s, exercising very little but maintaining low stress and good posture. It seems that much of our physical condition is influenced by stress, which can lead to weight gain and other issues.

I am currently seeking to understand what is best for my own body. Social media often emphasizes active workouts for core strength and back health, but it still focuses on doing rather than being. According to Ayurveda, I have a Vata body type, which thrives on lighter, restorative movements. Tai Chi and Qi Gong, although gentle in appearance, can significantly strengthen the body. I’ve read that visualization can help manifest our ideal body type. Dr. Joe Dispenza, for example, used this method to heal his spine after an accident.

As I move closer to understanding my own truth, I realize that competitiveness isn’t my driving force. I prefer to stay true to myself, embracing what works best for me. If heavy weights don’t suit my body and soul, I’ll concentrate on what I truly enjoy, such as hiking for core strength and gardening for overall strength training. I’ve also discovered a profound connection with Tai Chi and Qi Gong, as these practices offer me the space to be and deeply process my experiences.

Mantra: I trust that my body will communicate what it needs and naturally move in harmony with its own rhythm.