Aerobics as occupation

I wrote about my experience with aerobics in my last post.

Today I want to share with you more about a view of aerobics

from these angles:

the shape of the occupation of aerobic exercise,

the function of the occupation

and the meaning of aerobic exercise as an occupation. 

To look at a big occupational picture, let’s imagine me, Etsuko,

engaged in aerobic exercise.   

First, let's start by considering the situation before Etsuko started

working out in aerobics.

She was a busy desk worker and lecturer and without any habit of exercising.

Her physical fitness had declined and she repeatedly got low back pain．

This frequent low back pain and general physical deterioration disrupted her life. 

She had difficulty doing many daily things and performing her job

as she had done before.

She was not happy with her life.

That was her challenge from the environment.

She should change the situation and the environment.

Etsuko gave a punch to the environment by starting aerobic exercise.

She punched the environment to get better,

that is to find wellness and quality of life.

Now, to see a big occupational picture about what her aerobics entailed,

The Form of the Occupation

let's think about the form of the aerobics she engaged in:

about the who, when, where, what, how, with whom, how long

and how often of the occupational participation.

Etsuko, a woman in her 40s, chose to join an aerobics class

and enjoyed lessons after work twice a week for years.

The class included 40 minutes of stretching the whole body

and aerobic movement.

That is the form of the occupation.

The Function of the Occupation

Next let's look at the function of the aerobics.

We need to think about,

How did engagement in aerobics change her life?

How did it promote her health and well-being?

Engaging in aerobics class regularly was effectively promoted physical fitness

and prevented low back pain.

Those changes supported her ability to carry out her daily routines

and work as she once had.

They also gave her fun and refreshment and she was happy

that the function of participation in the aerobic occupations

resulted in her better life and promoted her health and well-being. 

The Meaning of the Occupation 

Finally, we think about the meaning of the aerobics to Etsuko. 

Aerobics freed Etsuko from her low back pain and enabled her to continue

living her daily life and her job life, meaning she felt younger and more capable.

It also had a meaning of having fun and providing recreation from her work.

She could see herself as a better balanced person, enjoying life more.

Etsuko appreciated aerobics as an occupation that meant not only

her physical function but her life itself improved,

physically and mentally.

However, while participation in aerobics promoted

Etsuko's health and well-being for several years,

that didn’t continue.

Etsuko’s environment changed and is different now…

The story continues in my next post.