What qualifies as Mind/Body fitness anyway? Quibbling the technicalities and terminology.
In my article aimed at explaining Mind/Body Fitness, I outlined the 5 components of Mind/Body Fitness practices, as defined by the International Dance and Exercise Association (IDEA):
IDEA states that a mind/body program includes one or more of those components.
Technically speaking, practices such as the Feldenkrais Method, Alexander Technique or Rolfing include a considerable concentration on muscular movements and actions, as well as kinesthetic awareness and attention to alignment. The Alexander Technique, in particular, is focused to a large extent on freeing up the passage of breath. Why are they often considered "bodywork" rather than mind/body?
And, on another extreme, weight-lifters synchronize movement with the breath, pay special attention to their alignment and form, and concentrate a great deal on muscular action. Why isn't weight-lifting considered mind-body fitness?
The difference rests in the intentionbehind the activities. In mind-body practices, the mental focus of the practitioner is an essential element. Fitness is almost a happy afterthought in terms of classical mind-body practices like Yoga or Tai Chi, where the focus is more on internal self-study and meditation.
Couldn't we then argue that Pilates belongs among the "bodywork" sorts of practices? Sure, we could. But who wants to be that cantankerous?
