On my latest trip out to California to work with and study under my Mentor and friend, legendary Holistic Health and Fitness Pioneer, Paul Chek, I learned about the amazing physical (and mental!) practice of how lifting stones can be used as the ultimate mind-body workout. Paul so poetically coined the term: “Stone Buddhas” due to how much these HUGE rocks (which are actually living and dynamic creatures in that they are of the mineral kingdom), and the act of trying to lift and “stack” them like a pyramid, can teach us, while at the same time cultivate our functional strength and mental conditioning.
Wow, I learned how working with the stones is the ultimate in functional training for both overall fitness and improving core function. Doing so promotes the natural movement patterns of the whole body from head to toe, and also requires and promotes optimal core function, joint stability, balance and overall strength. It is the ultimate in integrated training...plus its SUPER HARD and very dangerous!
Not to mention, lifting and stacking heavy stones teaches you mindfulness and presence, as you have to feel the subtleties of working with these living objects (stones are living things and are members of the mineral kingdom). If you don’t stay fully 100% present you could crush a toe, rip your skin, lose your balance or somehow get badly hurt.
Functional movement and working and living naturally, with the elements, and ideally OUTSIDE in nature is how we evolved to be and live and is something that I am a big proponent of.
Practical, real-life strength challenges and activities such as this have existed for a very long time and are part of how human beings and our culture evolved. If you’ve traveled to Europe or studied world history, you’ve probably seen some images that portray the ancient Greeks and Romans moving around some heavy stones as they built the walls of temples and erected columns. In fact, everyday life was simply a lot more physically demanding centuries, and even decades ago than the high-tech, climate-controlled, modern and cushy life of today. Stone stacking is sure a far cry from the “workouts” of today!
Maintaining and building functional strength is important, particularly as we get older, in order to keep our independence and quality of life high. The good news is it can build up with time regardless of where you start and a surprising level can be maintained with the proper lifestyle.
By lifting stones, we can build a certain kind of strength that cannot be attained using other known methods (like in your typical gym or with dumbbells, kettle bells, barbells, etc..) Rock lifting promotes a much more holistic type of training and will reveal gaps in your ability to create tension and in setting the position of your trunk, integrate your whole body and also exposes muscle imbalance and weaknesses, as well as your psychological mindset and ability to be fully present and receptive .
When lifting a stone, you first need to find the mobility and position to pull yourself into a deep squat while having your hands set on a fixed object (the stones). There are two places you can optimally stabilize your spine and trunk: one is while standing, and the other is in the bottom of your deep squat with an upright torso.
Some of the stones you see me lifting in this picture are more than 200 pounds!
Plus once you’re done, it gives you a tremendous sense of accomplishment because it was so challenging and you can see the results of your effort with your own personal creation. It is the ultimate mind body workout – unlike traditional workouts! I am hooked.
Yes! The art of “lifting stones” is AMAZING, and it has become my latest fascination, and a practice and training method worth considering! I encourage you to add stone lifting to your fitness routine, and strengthen muscles by staying connected to nature and your surroundings – and if you’re not sure how or where, shoot me an email at amy@amyfournier.com and I’ll see if I can get a group started! 😉
