The Evolution of Movement Culture: From Fitness Fad to Holistic Wellness
The way we approach health and wellness has come a long way in recent years. We have moved beyond the days of only focusing on strictly regimented workouts with the goal of achieving a certain body type. Instead, today’s movement culture takes a more holistic approach that aims to improve both physical and mental well-being. But how did we get here, and what does this evolution mean for our fitness journeys? Let’s explore.
The Birth of Fitness Fads
Beginning in the 1980s, there was a significant proliferation of fitness fads. The Jane Fonda workout videos, Jazzercise, and step aerobics all became incredibly popular as the United States saw a rise in obesity levels. Exercise, at that time, was more of a chore to be endured and less of a lifestyle to be embraced.
In the early 1990s, the release of the film ‘Basic Instinct’ caused an explosion of enthusiasm for self-defense classes that taught moves from martial arts and boxing. This was just the beginning of a 1990s trend, and soon, more martial arts-inspired workouts like Tae Bo became all the rage.
In the early 2000s, Pilates and Yoga took center stage, creating a desire for low-impact movement practices that improved well-being and mental clarity.
While all fitness fads come and go, the underlying idea of burning calories and improving the body’s physical appearance was usually at the root of these trends.
The Rise of Holistic Wellness
In stark contrast to the focus on appearance-driven workouts, the fitness industry has recently pivoted towards more holistic practices that prioritize the mind and spirit as much as the body. These practices include meditation, mindfulness, and mobility work. At the heart of this shift is the understanding that the mind and body are significantly interconnected.
The holistic wellness movement has arisen from the realization of the limitations of traditional, superficial workouts. The goal is to have people understand their bodies better and to use movement not only as an anti-aging solution but a stress-reducing practice.
Why Holistic Wellness Matters
As we’ve discussed, the holistic approach to wellness focuses on more than just the outer shell. Mobility work and stress reduction practices help people prevent the effects of aging on the body, as traditional cardio and weightlifting can have a significant impact on the nervous system and hormones. Incorporating different types of healthy practices like yoga, meditation, and foam rolling can make you feel more youthful, mentally alert, and better prepared to handle daily stressors.
In sum, the evolution of the movement culture over the last few decades highlights the importance of taking a total-body approach to moving. When exercise is prioritized as a multi-faceted practice, from how we move to how we use nutrition for our recovery to train our nervous system, we can reap the most significant benefits. By investing in a holistic approach to wellness, we are investing in our long-term health and happiness.
