The Gym is my Sacred Land

A sacred land is usually related to some aspect of religion. For example, Christianity has the Land of Israel. Islam has Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and Judaism has Tanakh which is the Holy Land or Promised Land.

A sacred land can also be somewhere that is highly important to you and highly valuable. It doesn't have to be associated with a certain religious group, but can be a place where you go when you’re angry or a place you go that has high value.

 The Native Americans view sacred lands as nature, such as air, land, trees, animals, and mountains they are all gifts from gods. Native Americans are highly religious and have a deep connection with nature. Various religious ceremonies that place on the sacred lands such as funerals, these lands are sacred because Natives believe the “souls” or “ spirits” will always be on that land.

The United States Government has even created a “Native American Sacred Lands Act” to protect sacred Native lands. The Act allows Natives to have access to the land for ceremonial uses, avoid damage to the land, and to consult with tribes before taking significant actions or developing polices that affect this Land.

 My sacred land would be the gym, I view working out as a way to blow of stress or steam. I do view fitness as a religious practice. It takes dedicated, faith, strength, and is something you do every day. My ceremonial practice is running, it helps me keep my mind clear and my body healthy. Fitness is a religion because you have to keep faith even though you may see results as fast as you would like, it takes time. Some people (including me) view gym and weight loss centers as a place of worship, people are completely devoted to these places. These places are where we practice or religious practices daily.

-Shawnna M Hall-Enoch