Almost a month into my resolution the music starts gently and while we watch our instructor shows us how to hold the barbell. Feet hipwide, hands on iron, shoulders back. Breathing in, breathing out. Waiting while the music crescendos to an insistent beat.
Lift on two, lower on two, again and again, then singles, one. two, three, muscles aching. I forgot to breathe. Catching up, again, breathing, panting.
When coming to situps I have caught my breath again, class is over, for now.
mirrored
and arched, our bodies
scented by sweat
Today Frank prompt us to write haibun on the topic of breathe at dVerse. I have not managed to be consitent in meditating but I have been fairly consistent in going to classes at the gym. Today I went to a class with weights, and forgot to breathe a few time which made it a lot harder to lift the weights.
January 29, 2024
Björn Rudbergs writings 
Talk about the importance of breathing! Very vivid, Bjorn! You put me right under that barbell with you!
Ha.. yes it was intense for a while, the class was Bodypump so it usually feels in the body afterwards.
I used to meditate but I’m not keen on gyms at all. I prefer walking and looking at nature, not other people’s muscles! I like the rhythm of your prose, Björn, and there is a lot of breathing in it! I particular like the haiku, which sums it all up succinctly with the scent of sweat.
Yes… I do like walking and looking at nature as well… but I feel that the gym is a great complement.
Breathing is so much an important part of exercising. It helps in mental health, keeping us focused, mindful, a great release from tension.
Yes indeed, exercising and breathing goes hand in hand… I remember that for when I did yoga
Nice one Björn.
Much♡love
🙏🙏🙏
i ache just from reading this
I enjoyed it
It aches less and less the more you do it.
I have never even attempted meditation, and resent the time spent doing exercises. My children tell me to listen to music to pass the time, but if I listen, I forget the exercise. You caught that repetitive effort and the relief when it stops.
It takes some time getting used to work with the music, but when it works I like it.
It must be difficult to incorporate the breathing into the workout. I liked the details of this haibun….but now I’m out of breath!
If you don’t breathe, you will have to stop after a while.
Well done, Bjorn. The gym can really work on your breathing. It is good that you are keeping fit!
I try… going three times per week.
It is so true, I have often found myself holding my breath during exercise. Not on purpose by any means.
I think that when we focus too hard we forget to breathe as well.
so true!
The unending challenges of working out and staying in shape. Nice poemBjorn.
Still well worth doing
Exercising to music, with a group, is a very enjoyable way to get fit. You get into the habit of breathing right after awhile. I miss my step aerobic classes but difficult these days to find one that isn’t jam-packed where you can’t move freely. I have done some Zoom exercise classes through “Silver Sneakers” but it isn’t the same.
I do more of weight related classes these days… did a lot of step aerobics in the past.
Exercising is much fun, it is the dragging yourself to the gym in the morning that is…well.. the hardest thing! Breathing right does help make it easier…agree.
I never go in the morning… I go at the end or at lunch.
Always remember to breathe. My counselor tells me that.❤️
Noticing and being aware of our breath and using it as a soulful tool of our body is present in so many thing, the meditation, excursive, swimming and so many more. I love how you made the gym moment the haibun.
Your haibun is perfectly in rhythm. The haiku draws the companion illustration. 👏
I can imagine the rhythmic cadence of the workout… I love your subtle reminder of breath and the sensory haiku 🙂
~David
Relatable. As a dance teacher, I always remind students to breathe. When we are concentrating on moving our bodies in a new way we often hold our breath. It gets easier.
Indeed… BTW you will love today’s prompt as a dance teacher.
Well, I guess I need to check it out. It is hard to keep up with all of the great prompts shared on dVerse.
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
I had a smile on my face reading this, I could never get the breathing right when lifting weights when I was a bit younger. I love the ending haiku. Perfect!
I can smell the scent, Björn. I enjoyed your workout—and love the haiku.
I’m always breathing at the wrong times when I’m lifting. That brought a smile to my face. Thank you!
Learning to breathe well is as difficult as any task. But it does make things easier. (K)
Ha, I’ve just signed up for another round of exercise at our local gym, I do walk and ride mostly. I feel your exertion.
AH— I do mostly classes with weights
Oh.. I know what you are talking about.. i sometimes forget to breath at the right times and then realize it when the instructor specifically mentions it 🙂
Exactly… I did the same mistake today 🙂