We all lead busy lives – work, social engagements, family obligations, commutes, errands, doctor appointments, you name it, we've got a list of to-dos a mile long. So, if something's got to give, for me, that would be exercise. First, I'm not getting paid to exercise, and second, I don't really like exercise. I envy those who enjoy running and find it a great stress release. I envy those who challenge themselves to run a marathon, or commit to cross fit classes, or grind out 20 burpees as part of their high intensity workout. In the past, I've simply worked out because I know it's the healthy thing to do.
Enter UT Professor Joan Heminway's challenge to explore this idea of law faculty physical well-being at the upcoming SEALS Conference. Joan writes, “While seemingly simple in nature, physical well-being can be difficult to navigate, especially for busy law faculty. Panelists . . . will expose a range of situations in which physical well-being is challenged, and offer options and strategies to improve physical well-being. Participants may also share their experiences involving students in activities and discussions focused on physical well-being.”
Well, what can I say? I hate exercise, and I force myself to do it when I can find time in my busy schedule? That the only exercise I've ever enjoyed is yoga, and I wonder if that counts since it's not cardio?
Her open invitation gave me a perfect opening to explore the topic in a different way. What if instead of conforming to what I've always thought was real exercise (cardio, calorie burn, pain), I figured out what I could do on a regular basis that would actually stick? Something that I could enjoy and look forward to? And I had an advantage. I already have a dear friend and walking partner who actually knows a lot about physical well-being and exercise, DeeAnn Dean, who is a personal trainer/health guru who created Vive Alchemy to tackle the issues of health. So I asked her on a walk one day, "DeeAnn, I want to actually like exercise. I want something I enjoy doing, that uses all parts of my body, and that I can do on a regular basis. I don't have much time so it can only be for 15 minutes, and I don't want to have to change into workout clothes or wash my hair or really even sweat that much. Can you do it? "And she said, "sure, no problem."
Fast forward a month later, and I had a 14 minute 30 second workout that I absolutely loved. So much so that I committed to doing the work out before every class I taught in the spring semester. Imagine the surprise of my 2Ls in my criminal procedure course (both sections) that their professor would be arriving 15 minutes early before class and doing a full body workout in front of the classroom. All were invited to join. They were skeptical. But what did I have to lose? My dignity? Respect? The bottom line was I knew if I didn't announce this experiment in public and commit to it, I was going to make it a low priority like I've always done. I collected all of the 2Ls top songs and created a playlist. I brought a small speaker, resistance bands, and tennis balls (used for the workout) to class hoping others would join in so I wouldn't go it alone. I announced it to other faculty teaching at the same time to see if I could find any takers to join me in the insanity. If meditation and mindfulness have become relatively accepted and mainstream in the classroom, why not exercise?
The first day I had a few takers join me. Turns out there are others in law school that also don’t feel like they have time to go to the gym during the day. Maybe they thought they could score brownie points with the prof, who knows? Whatever the motivation, more and more joined over time. And some simply showed up 15 minutes early and watched (somewhat bizarre but maybe they wanted to join but were too embarrassed?). Regardless, as we all learned the routine, we soon started to have… well… fun. And I actually felt energized for class. I felt more relaxed and more focused. In the end, out of 106 students in both sections (am and pm), a total of 48 participated at least once. I got a workout in and never left the building. And I demonstrated to my students in the age of constant busyness and excuses not make it to the gym, there's always 14 minutes and 30 seconds to make your body feel better and your mind at peace.
The Benefits of Movement Breaks
Pre Class Exercise Survey Results
Pre-Class Exercise Program – Student Feedback Survey