I remember the good old days at the Gracie Barra facility back in Brazil. We’d show up. We’d throw on our GIs. This is what we did 24/7, no days off. And, you know what? Not a single day felt like training.
Back on the mats in Brazil, my partners use to repeat the phrase “keep it playful.”For me, I prefer to think of the phrase as meaning something beyond experimenting on the mat. Play is fun. Never has it been a bore. And, this is true of Jiu-Jitsu and fitness.
Needless to say, the Gracie Barra school in Brazil was a place of laughs and good vibes. However, when I flew here to the United States, I noticed a different trend. Depression rates are the higher they’ve ever been. And, coincidentally, life is a bit more sedentary.
We at the BarraFit community cannot deny the correlation. Whether you’re in it for weight loss or a higher level of self-care, fitness brings improved physical and mental health. And, as I’ve come to know, physical and mental health are inseparable.
Here are six ways physical activities like BarraFIT classes can lead to a healthier and happier you!
Reason 1: Endorphin Release
Have you ever gotten that feeling of clarity and euphoria after an invigorating BarraFIT Performance class? All those burpees and sit-throughs are intense activities that induce the release of endorphins.
Endorphins are hormones that give us feelings of happiness. And, endorphins are released after physical activities. To experience a rush of positive feelings, the answer is simple: exercise.
Reason 2: A Sense of Accomplishment
Ever tried a heavy Turkish get-up? When was the last time you did 100 burpees? If you have, you probably felt a sense of accomplishment at what you did.
Exercise presents a set of physical challenges. According to psychologists, challenges and accomplishing them are pivotal to being mentally healthy.
Reason 3: Improved Independence
Exercise allows you to be self-sufficient in your daily activities. Exercise improves strength, conditioning, flexibility, and mobility — everything you need for a happy and independent life. Take these away, and you can live life in a wheelchair or hospital bed. Living in a state of dependence can lead to feelings of despair and depression. Exercise can prevent physical dependence by improving your strength and quality of movement.
Reason 4: The Ultimate Form of Self-Care
Exercise is a good way to take care of yourself. By engaging in regular physical activity, you prolong your life, watch your diet, improve your fitness, and carve a better physique.
Reason 5: Better Mind-Body-Spirit Connection
Dan John says it best — “the body is one piece.” We put a spin on it by saying that the human person is one piece. Exercise improves not only your physical adaptations. Your concentration and your emotional engagement follow suit.
When you exercise or do Jiu-Jitsu, your whole being is engaged.
Reason 6: Community
Every fitness protocol has its community of practitioners. Community is crucial to both physical and mental health. Just ask the Japanese. Many live long and happy lives because of being active members of their community.
When you choose to get fit, there will always be a community that you can be a part of. We at BarraFit can be your tribe in your fitness.
Be Your Healthiest at Every Level as a BarraFIT Athlete
We believe in health beyond the physical. As a BarraFIT athlete, you can unlock the doors to a different level of physical and mental health. We are with you on your journey towards better health — be it mental or physical.
Be a BarraFIT athlete today to achieve peak overall health, fitness, and performance!
Flavio Almeida | Co-Founder BarraFIT Studio Scottsdale