When defining Integral Fitness within the nine commitments of ITP, the focus has generally been on the physical body. It is recommended that practitioners engage in at least three hours of aerobic exercise each week, incorporate additional strength training and enjoy deep stretching with an emphasis on our emotional, intellectual and spiritual awareness in every movement.

In our practice, exercise and movement are not a means to an end of finally fitting into a certain size of jeans or maintaining a specific mile pace. Integral fitness is being present to the joys of being alive.

During Catching Fire, ITPI's conference held in May, embodying this concept of integral fitness was an important component to the weekend. What a gift to be able to lead the Kata and a mindful walk in the beautiful surroundings of the Earthrise Conference Center, connecting to nature with mind, body, heart and soul. 

Adapted from the Introduction

by Barry Robbins, ITPI Vice President & Mastery Teacher

Sports and fitness represent one of life's great theaters, where the mystical, remarkable and unusual unfold. The mission statement of SEC - "to accelerate the global evolution of human consciousness by providing transformational practices that translate the wisdom of sport's Ideal Performance State into practical training methods that include energetics, awakened states of consciousness, and the unification of body, mind, and spirit" - reflects the belief that our human potential remains largely untapped.

We live in a golden age of sports achievement where athletes are surpassing records and setting new standards of performance on an almost routine basis. More records are being broken now than ever before, an acceleration of performance offering us a glimpse into how limitless we are.

 

I witnessed the rarest of sights at last year's Golf in the Kingdom Marathon, something that many golfers may never have the opportunity to see.

About halfway through the round, while catching my breath on the top of a steep little hill in the middle of the course - my errant tee ball nowhere to be found - I was able to take in the sweeping 360 degree views of the entire course. What I saw, the thing that made me say "wow" out loud, was not a great golf shot or personal exhibition of skill, but rather something much more inspiring and meaningful. 

In all directions, for as far as my eyes and ears could discern, every single golfer out on the course appeared to be completely immersed in the experience and having the time of their lives. As anyone who spends even a small part of their life out on a golf course can tell you, this is far from the usual state of affairs.

ITPI and all those who support and participate in this event each year should be commended for achieving what most organizers can only dream of: a fun, meaningful and impactful day of golf that transcends the usual hangups of the modern game and reveals a better path for all players to follow, both on the course and beyond.