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Accessible Fitness, more choices for more people

Fitness has always been a concern with regard to both mental and physical health regardless of age, gender, or any other variables that make each one of us unique. And for those in the blind community, fitness is every bit as much—if not more—important.

Exercise for the visually impaired is something that should be incorporated into a weekly, if not daily, routine for a variety of reasons that are both similar and different from people within the sighted community. For those with total loss of sight as well as for those who are low sighted, a lack of regular exercise can bring on a host of other issues, including weight gain, sluggishness, and perhaps worst of all for many, insomnia or a circadian rhythm that has been thrown completely off track.

A quality workout done at the right time of day and at the right pace to meet your unique physical and mental needs is just what the doctor may have forgotten to order. For many blind people, fitness has been a challenge: without someone to guide you and without the ability to drive yourself to the gym, it becomes obvious why so many visually impaired individuals give up—but with the BlindAlive line of Fitness Workouts for blind people, you’ll never have to depend on anyone else again.

Yoga and Strength Training with wieghts for blind people along with a variety of other cardiovascular exercises help our bodies stay toned, help us gain muscle mass and lose weight, but most of all, can help lead a blind person away from a sense of helplessness.

Are you ready to sweat? Come get healthy and leave all your notions of not being able to get fit due to your visual impairment behind with BlindAlive!

What Does It Mean To Relax?

February 22, 2016  /  Mel Scott

Do you ever get tired of hearing, “Just relax?” I actually say it to myself all the time, and I say it to others more often than they would like. It can probably be put in the category of overused words. You know, the words that have lost their gravitas; words like “love” or “inspiring.” I am sure you can think of some yourself.

What does it mean? What does it really mean?

Well, as crazy as it sounds, I don’t know. Supposedly, we are “relaxed” when our breathing is slow, our muscles are loose, and our body feels calm. Our mind drifts in a blissful state. We are “relaxed” when our mind is quiet and we feel safe. I also think it helps to have a body that has done an adequate amount of activity and all our survival needs are met.

Total relaxation is a worthy goal, and it involves “surrender,” which is a word I struggle with. Sometimes, when I say it to myself, I do relax; then other times, it makes me feel like I am giving up too much of myself. My mind can get all caught up in analyzing the word itself. My mind is a “monkey mind” as they say in the Buddhist tradition.

I have not conquered it and that is why I say that I don’t know what it means to be totally relaxed. I do know that I feel closer to total surrender when my emotions have been expressed fully and honestly. I feel better when my body is satisfied. I feel better after a good cry or a hearty laugh. A great massage helps too. Listening to a soothing voice or music can put me in an easier space as well.

To be “relaxed” to me means being peaceful -- body, mind, and spirit. It is easier said than done for most of us. Nonetheless, I know it is possible, therefore, I will continue to meditate, exercise, eat right, and feed my soul. I know that the glimpses of true peace will multiply. I will be able to create that calm space within myself. I am not giving up! I am learning that my mind is only a tool to be used at the bidding of my higher consciousness. It is not the ruler of me. I am learning to lay it down when it has done it work for the day.

My day is over now. I am gently and softly allowing my mind to rest in the knowledge that I can pick it up tomorrow. I wish the same for you.

 

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