Meditating before or after workout?

[Butrfly_Nirvana]

Do you meditate before or after your workout? So far I have been meditating before doing my workouts--my thinking is that it will help me to be more mindful during the exercises, rather than having random thoughts distract me the whole time. This has been really helpful thus far, but I'm curious as to the benefits of doing it afterward as well.

[Guy]

Hi Butrfly,

I prefer to exercise before meditation, my theory is that after exercise my circulation will be better when I sit and therefore less chance of slipping into sloth and torpor. It seems to work, not sure if it is because my theory is correct or if it is because I expect it to work.

With Metta,

Guy

[bodom]

Before. If I dont roll right out of bed and get right to the cushion first thing, I find it easier to make excuses to put it off until later.
Sitting is the first priority.

[Ben]

Before and after. That is way before workout and way after.
The reason is that I meditate before dawn and again after everyone in the house has gone to bed.
My workout, swimming, is whenever I can fit it in during the day - work and family responsibilities permitting!
metta

Ben

[zavk]

I don't meditate after a workout--not immediately anyway. For me, intense physical exertion makes it harder for my mind to settle down. It's ok though if I wait a while after exercising.

[RayfieldNeel]

I run in the early morning, and then perform a few minutes of standing breathing and metta before entering the unbridled chaos of my household.

I am also inclined to wait a bit before actually sitting in samatha or vipassana. My sense is that my body is a little too "wired up" to go straight to that activity...though to be truthful I haven't put it to the test.

[alan]

Meditation first, Yoga second, then a workout, which for me means lifting weights that are heavier than I lifted last time. Even if it is just one extra ounce. After that it is a good healthy meal and rest.

[Pax]

Meditation first, then a glass of water or tea, followed by a workout. This order seems to allow me to be more focused and mindful during exercise.

[Kim O'Hara]

If I get the chance, which doesn't always happen, I like to do a few minutes of gentle stretching (qi gong or yoga) before meditating. It improves circulation, as I think Guy said, and flexibility so I'm able to sit more comfortably. It also provides a cut-out from my other activities, helping my mind to settle more quickly when I do sit down.
As for 'workout', working up a sweat for the sake of fitness ... I'm sorry, that must be something other people do.
I play a bit of sport and like the fact that it helps me stay fit, but I find exercise for the sake of exercise so excruciatingly tedious I just can't bring myself to do it.


Kim

[alan]

Anything can get tedious if there is no goal, including meditation. That is why I like to challenge myself to get just a bit stronger, just a bit leaner, just a bit healthier. Having a clear plan and sticking to it also builds confidence in other areas of life.

[Kim O'Hara]

Anything can get tedious if there is no goal, including meditation. That is why I like to challenge myself to get just a bit stronger, just a bit leaner, just a bit healthier.

That's probably my problem then: no goal. I'm happy enough with the way I am.


Kim

[jcsuperstar]

not a theravada idea BUT in the qigong philosophies i've learned, in the morning you start slow, so meditation then move towards more vigorous things and in the evening vigorous to slow, exercize to meditation.
seems pretty practical, slowly wake up slowly go to bed...

[Butrfly_Nirvana]

JC: That makes a lot of sense....now if someone could please inform my 3yr old and 1.5yr of this 'slow waking' idea, that would be great! LOL They are up at 6am and off with a running start that lasts until after lunch time! *sigh* maybe I can use blackout shades to trick them into thinking it's still nighttime?? LOL

[Kim O'Hara]

JC: That makes a lot of sense....now if someone could please inform my 3yr old and 1.5yr of this 'slow waking' idea, that would be great! LOL They are up at 6am and off with a running start that lasts until after lunch time! *sigh* maybe I can use blackout shades to trick them into thinking it's still nighttime?? LOL

Don't worry (in fact, enjoy it while you can). This too will pass - in another ten years you will be turning floodlights on in their rooms to get them out of bed before school starts.
I shouldn't joke about it, should I?
OK, here's a more serious suggestion: if you can go to bed earlier yourself, you won't mind waking up when they do.


Kim

[RayfieldNeel]

As for 'workout', working up a sweat for the sake of fitness ... I'm sorry, that must be something other people do.
I play a bit of sport and like the fact that it helps me stay fit, but I find exercise for the sake of exercise so excruciatingly tedious I just can't bring myself to do it.

It's easy enough to remove the tedium. I've been a runner for about 15 years; I can't imagine my week without it. I prepare my iPod Shuffle with some wonderful Podcasts (Audio Dharma and Buddhist Geeks are great stuff) and I learn (and get entertained) while I attempt to keep my 43-year-old body fit.

[adept]

A qigong set which takes about 20 minutes followed by my sitting meditation. I find it wakes up and stretches my body allowing for a more productive sitting session.

[Mukunda]

I do a few yoga asanas and some pranayama prior to meditation, but nothing too strenuous as tiring myself physically would lead to mental torpor during meditation. I also practice walking meditation, which helps in training me to be mindful during other times.