The self discipline I have that keeps me exercising every morning by myself probably comes from the years of dance training I had. We dancers, along with the singers, musicians and various others who have the professional responsibility of keeping their bodies, voices and musical instruments “in tune,” have an advantage because our daily practice is dictated by our vocations.
I understand, though, when people tell me they don’t have the discipline to exercise on their own every day like I do – even as they understand and accept my logic that the need to exercise is a natural, daily body instinct equal to eating and sleeping. They feel they need to go to a place and exercise with a class or group. (I have the grace not to ask if they also need to eat and sleep with a class or group.) These are the people I keep trying to help by suggesting a daily walk, more stair climbing, or a recreational sport on their days off, so they develop a natural exercise mindset.
But I’ve just finished reading a book that’s widened my perspective about exercise health. It’s titled “Keeping Together in Time” by William H. McNeill, and talks about the muscular bonding that happens with people who are involved in drill groups, team rowing, marching bands, choral, orchestral and dance groups.
People involved in such groups are getting something almost
as good as the individual exercisers like me – a muscular bonding that’s beneficial to the their health – the physical sociability of shared interests.
It should remind us that there is no finite rule for everyone.
