Flex

Written by: Alwayswrite

Flex Flex So, I was prompted to start yoga. And I must admit that I was like, “Man…yoga?” I can hear the whispers now, “You on that gay shit. That corny shit.” Having removed all the homo-feminine connotations around it, I proclaimed to myself, “Fuck it. This shit might change my life.”

Yoga originated in India around 3300 BCE. It was designed for the purpose of cultivating a steady mind. And its goal is enlightenment. I need that in my life. Not only do I need that, I need exercise in my life. I was in there, a small studio located on the lower side of town. It was hot, too hot, in fact, and everybody was dressed in workout best—spandex and tank tops. Limbs stretched every which away as more and more people came in with rolled up yoga mats tucked within their armpits.

I was startled, though, at what I saw. I was one out of four black people in the studio. Mind you, the studio holds 30 or so bodies, and it is only one out of four studios in the building. “Damn, like that,” I thought to myself, “No niggas.” Then, I had a second thought, “Of course, niggas don’t exercise.” And I kept stretching. It takes only a simple poll. Ask yourself: Between me and my friends, how many of us exercise? How many of us attempt to be healthy? It’s sad, honestly, because we all know black people just don’t exercise. Why? When we have the highest rates for high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease, we need to be exercising somewhere. Pay close attention:

• 12 percent of African-American men 18 years and older compared to 6.7 percent of non-Hispanic/White men have diabetes (2006, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

• 27.8 percent of African-American men 20 years and older have high blood pressure compared to 17.1 percent of non-Hispanic/White men (2004, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

• 31.6 percent of African-American men 20 years and older have high blood pressure compared to 22.4 percent of non-Hispanic/White men (2006, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

Given those statistics, it seems my thoughts were right. When a diet is filled with grease and other fats, what should we expect? And when that diet is not balanced with calorie burning, what do we hope to achieve? Fried chicken. Potato salad. Mac and cheese. Pork chops. Bacon. Pig feet. Pig tails. Pig anything. Hot sauce. Cheese steaks. French fries. Popeye’s. KFC. McDonald’s, Hostess, Little Debbie’s, etc., etc., etc. Then, we have the audacity to wash all that down with colored sugar water, also known as, Kool-aid.

Even more disturbing is the culture we have bred. A culture that not only condones, but promotes an unhealthy attitude. It is “cool” to be obese. It is “cool” to have diabetes. It is “cool” to have high blood pressure. It is “cool” to die from heart disease. What kind of sense is that? None. Instead of “being on the block,” run around it. Instead of “pushing weight,” go lift some. Instead of “hugging the block,” hug a medicine ball. After my clothes were drenched in sweat and my muscles elongated beyond prior capability, I felt a certain pleasure. I felt good, because I just did something good for my body and mind. I need that. We need that. We need to exercise. Improving our health should be our 2008 goal. Go get it.

Tags: Culture, Health, Race | Jun 13, 2008 |

23 Comments, Comment or Ping

*SB*

LMAO @ instead of being on the block run around it…

i absolutely love this piece!!! It is very true that black people do not work out as much as others but i would like to think that we’re making slow but steady progress. In my immediate circle I see alot of women getting personal trainers- i dont know if its really to work out or to brag that they have one. Atleast they are somewhat acknowledging the importance of exercise…

[Reply]
Alwayswrite reply on June 13, 2008 12:11 pm:
I always hear from older black men, “The women aren’t like they used to be. All of them are BIG.”

Now, I don’t know if that is true. Older men tend to put 2 on the 10. But, I’ve heard it enough times to suggest to me that it is truth in their statement. Black women need to exercise. You have God given body fat –in the right places. I have no complaints–but that “thickness” can turn into obesity quick. Watch out.

[Reply]
TROUBLMan reply on June 13, 2008 12:21 pm:
Yeah, that personal trainer fad is just that, a fad. A lot of appear think it’s better to appear as if they’re trying to work out than actually working out. Hence, the women who put on make-up and perfume to go to the gym and when they get there they do more parading than training. Whereas the dudes come in with a cutoff shirt and stare at themselves in the mirror the whole time. LOL.

[Reply]
Alwayswrite reply on June 13, 2008 12:29 pm:
I know. You ain’t going into the gym to sweat if you smelling like perfume and wearing make-up. And I can’t stand those guys. Admire yourself at home. Get you punk ass out the way. I don’t say that though. Too little to be fighting. :1.

[Reply]
BlessedNMyStress

I happen to DO and enjoy yoga. I was suffering from major back pains when I started due to a car accident, haven’t been to the chiropractor since. My flexibility greatly improved so much so that it helped my skills in Tae Kwon Do.

[Reply]
Alwayswrite reply on June 13, 2008 12:12 pm:
Tae Kwon Do? Damn, you on it. Shit, this post don’t really apply to you. :). Or, you could just be talking…(j/k)

[Reply]
Nicole

I bought a Pilates DVD that I have yet to open. I think I may try it. My daughter has been inquiring about doing yoga. She wants the Wii Fit, so she can do yoga. That may be a good exercise she and I can do together.

[Reply]
Alwayswrite reply on June 13, 2008 12:13 pm:
Stop thinking. Do it. I don’t really think people understand how much of a workout yoga is. It’s difficult. Definitely a way to tone and lose body fat. And I know that’s what ladies are looking for.

[Reply]
Johnny Haze reply on June 13, 2008 7:10 pm:
You speak truth, Alwayswrite. I tried yoga for the first time 2 days ago and my arms and legs are still sore. But it’s a good sore. It’s that, “I didn’t even know I had muscles there”-sore. I need that and I’m def. coming back for more.

[Reply]
Q.

shoot.. yoga, pilates, core training, do it all.. ain’t nothing gay about it.. or feminine (except for the crowd).. i’m all for it.. i don’t do the yoga thing, but i do have the Windsor Pilates DVDs and the yoga mat.. i won’t front, i gave up on pilates, cuz that’s some difficult ish.. I remember doing that with a woman at that time, as we were both trying to get in that type of shape together.. we laughed the entire time, cuz those moves were dang near impossible for us at the time.. shoot, i’m a lil’ dude, and stretching was never my forte.. track, basketball, soccer, didn’t matter.. i wasn’t stretching.. i’m messed up now, cuz i didn’t do that..

but yea, our attitude sucks.. if y’all are around NYC, come through with my trainer, as he is now starting a Boot Camp for the summer with core training.. he reduced his costs to $100 for the month, just to get ppl back in shape.. get at me, if you’re interested.. Saturdays..

good post.. def’ needed for these summer months..

[Reply]
Alwayswrite reply on June 13, 2008 12:14 pm:
I feel you. I’m an addict for yoga. I highly suggest people give it a try.

[Reply]
Lag

Q - Damn right! Pilates are TOUGH. I got a beginner level pilates DVD to do at home (I hate doing exercises in public, makes me self conscious), and it took me two weeks to even be able to do all the moves on there! It’s worth it though. If you keep at it you can start doing things you never thought your body could do.

[Reply]
Alwayswrite reply on June 13, 2008 12:16 pm:
I know…right? I was never one those guys who can’t touch his toes. I’m fairly flexible. But, yoga got me stretching muscles I didn’t even know existed.

[Reply]
Dave

Great post!

[Reply]
Malia

Love the post, love the message of the post….I’m still lazy.

I bought a stairclimber and it looks really good in my living room….lol.

I admire the dedication of all of you beautiful black people!!!

When I come back form Cali, I think I will get more focused on my workout routine, right now I’m enjoying my new found weight! I was a size “0″ since hight school, now I’m a size “7″…so I’m getting my grown woman on right now. I’ll hit it hard when I get back!!!

*wink*

[Reply]
TROUBLMan reply on June 13, 2008 12:30 pm:
You better put that stairclimber in action.I know way too many people who use there exercise equipment as house furniture. I sick of seeing people hang dry close on the treadmill. And using the exercise bike as a extra chair. We I see that I think to myself, you should donate that to someone who would use it.

[Reply]
Malia reply on June 13, 2008 12:38 pm:
LAMOA!!! You sound like you’ve benn over my house!

No but really I force my self to do it every morning for 5 minutes. I know that doesn’t like much to yall but I be feelin’ the burn…lol. I have a gym and personal trainer right here on site at my job, so I have no excuse. I need more focus, I know. I hear you. I’m with you. I get it.

[Reply]
TROUBLMan

The first time I tried Yoga was in 2005. I was at the gym trying to get my “Buff Man” on and one day I just up and entered the yoga class. I didn’t know what to expect. I was one of two black people and the only black male. I was lost at the start of class, not really knowing what any of the poses were. I thought I was strong, until I realized strength is relative. Little old lady were better than me balancing in some of the positions. By the end of the class, I found the swing of things. And when i left, I felt like I was floating. Yoga is the shit. Whoever thinks getting healthy is gay is corny. I’ll let them have that.

[Reply]
"A Mom"

Love it all.
I work out. It is my life line. I have always done the gym thing. I even took a pilates class for a while. I’m interest in yoga as well. People tell me it really helps with stress.

[Reply]
"A Mom" reply on June 13, 2008 1:18 pm:
Being healthy and looking healthy is not gay.

[Reply]
Uvonda Dandy

Dear Flex,

Some black people don’t excerise, not all of us is sitting around being lazy. Where I live there’s a lot of black people, who do excerise and walk the trail on a daily basis as a form of excerise. So, we all aren’t sucking down Hostess cupcakes and drink Kool-aid to wash it down. However, black people do need to put forth an effort to excersie more often, but some of us do care about our bodies, and want to live a healthy lifestyle.

[Reply]
"A Mom" reply on June 16, 2008 8:21 pm:
Your right. I’m one of them that want to live a long and healthy.

[Reply]
Alwayswrite reply on June 17, 2008 12:14 pm:
Oh, I definitely agree. But, as a whole culture, I really don’t think we exercise. Just look around…And, shit, you got a trail. Most black don’t have no trail. We have streets–that aren’t safe enough for a daily stroll.

[Reply]

TROUBL

Flex

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