Mindfulness in Motion
What does mindfulness actually mean during a workout?
Paying attention to the body, breath, and sensations & connecting it to your response.
What does the autonomic nervous system control automatically?
Heart rate, breathing, digestion, and stress responses.
What is the main goal of breathwork in SOARFIT?
To influence the nervous system, not to force relaxation.
What is the "go-to" exercise your coach uses on during a class?
Plate Pushes
How is SOARFIT different from a regular fitness class?
Movement is used intentionally to support therapy goals, not performance.
Name one physical sign that tells you your sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) is becoming activated.
Tight chest, shallow breathing, clenched jaw, racing heart, muscle tension, restlessness.
Why is it harder to learn new skills when the nervous system is overwhelmed?
The brain prioritizes survival over learning.
Why does slowing the exhale help calm the body?
Longer exhales signal safety to the nervous system.
What is the only muscle that people care about? (Aesthetically)
Calves
Coaches are trained to observe _______, not just reps?
Behavior
What is one way movement can help regulate emotions?
It releases stored tension, improves breathing, shifts focus to the body, and lowers stress hormones.
What’s one way physical training mirrors recovery?
Progress takes time, setbacks happen, form matters, and effort compounds.
Why does SOARFIT keep meditation practices primarily seated or kneeling?
Highlights intention
Who is the founder of SOARFIT?
Dr. Frank Mattiace
What does group movement teach faster than discussion alone?
Trust, accountability, and shared effort.
Two slow inhales through the nose with a slow exhale through the mouth. What is the name of this breathing technique?
Physiological sigh
_________ is a crucial protein, secreted in the brain, for learning and memory, acting as "fertilizer for the brain"
BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor)
What is being trained when you direct attention to the breath repeatedly?
Attention control
What NFL teams did the founder of SOARFIT play on?
Detroit Lions, and Green Bay
What is the ultimate goal of SOARFIT sessions?
Using movement to learn
Why is noticing discomfort during movement considered a skill in recovery?
It builds tolerance for discomfort without reacting impulsively or avoiding it.
Why does SOARFIT use movement before teaching coping skills?
A regulated nervous system learns faster and retains more effectively.
Why doesn’t SOARFIT meditation focus on “clearing your thoughts”?
Recovery isn’t about stopping thoughts — it’s about choosing your response.
SOARFIT North Star:
"When you have an urge to use, it's not that you want to use, it's that you want to change the way you ________"
Feel
Why don’t we just work out without a therapeutic theme?
Because the goal isn’t reps — it’s understanding what your reactions mean.