Definition of discipline: the self-control that is gained by requiring that rules or orders be obeyed, and the ability to keep working at something that is difficult.
When I looked up the definition of discipline, I was surprised to discover that discipline is acquired by obeying rules and orders which helps someone achieve self-control. I must have overlooked this simple fact and fully believed that discipline is needed to keep working at something that is difficult. I am more fluid by nature, and due to my Aquarian sign, I prefer to go with the flow and hate being hemmed in or controlled. I tend to obey the rules, with the occasional stretching of the boundaries at times. I believe that it’s fundamentally essential to always question everything and not just follow the herd mentality because an authoritarian figure deems something so. Rules were created to bring order to chaos and to have some standards to live by, however, if rules and traditions fail to evolve with the times, then they become rigid and outdated.
The reason for bringing up this topic of body discipline, are for those that have watched my Mind Body Talks. I’ve shared that I am doing so many pushups every day. Let me take a step back a bit and explain. Back when I was in college and lifting quite a bit of weight to get strong and have a chiseled physique, I came across a story about Herschel Walker, a Hall of Fame running back for the Dallas Cowboys. As a youth, he was overweight and was told by a coach to do pushups and situps to get in shape. A year later when he went back to try out for track, the coach supposedly did not recognize him and asked him how many push-ups and sit-ups he did. Walker’s response was 1000 pushups and 1000 situps a day, and I attempted to do this over 30 years ago, getting up to 650 pushups.
Fast forward to December 2024 when I came across an Instagram video where there was a 100-pushup challenge for 100 consecutive days. I decided to give it a go and after 19 days of 100 pushups consecutively, I missed a day. So instead of giving up, I started from Day 1 and ended up doing 100 pushups for 119 consecutive days. When I missed a day, I contemplated on doing 200 push-ups for 200 days and that is when I remembered Herschel Walker’s 1000 pushups story. So, I’ve modified and created my own challenge. Every 30 days, I up-level and do 100 more pushups until I eventually hit 1000 push-ups in a day. Currently I am at 700 pushups, and I’m on my 19th consecutive day as I write this blog. I am on track to hit 1000 pushups this December. Friends and practice members who have heard about this challenge of mine, often remark that it’s crazy or to be careful about injuring myself.
My takeaway since doing this personal challenge, is that I have been determined, disciplined, and also holding myself accountable. Besides getting physically stronger, I have noticed that my core has also gotten stronger and hence, has assisted me in my yoga practice in both stamina and the ability to hold postures longer. The most fascinating thing that has happened during this pushup journey is how doing something physical can also influence my mental and emotional state. What I have discovered is that this pushup practice has bled over into other areas of my life, including decision-making. Instead of my usual people-pleasing tendency, I will only say yes and commit to something that I really want to spend my energy on. I have also become more disciplined in choosing to eat when I feel the need to eat versus just to eat. It has also boosted a calmer internal state where I feel more solid in the decisions that I make and am less indecisive.
In conclusion, I encourage all of you to find a practice that may scare you a bit or perhaps there was something that you were interested in the past but never completed or saw through, and then create a practice to achieve it. The one thing that helps is to connect this practice with one of your highest values. If by doing this practice it helps you to get what you value a lot, the chances of you succeeding increases exponentially. One of my highest values besides my vocation is taking care of my physical body and constitution. I truly believe that if we invest time in taking care of our bodies and health now, it will cost us a lot less in the future. Once again the choice is yours. Best of luck!