Orthodox Health
Orthodox Health
Podcast Description
What does it mean to truly care for your body, mind, & soul in a way that aligns with Christ? Orthodox Health explores the timeless wisdom of the Orthodox Church in cultivating holistic well-being—spiritually, physically, & mentally.
Join your hosts as we dive into topics like fasting, nutrition, exercise, prayer, & overcoming modern health pitfalls through an Orthodox Christian lens. With guest interviews, theological insights, & practical applications, this podcast helps you break free from the consumer-driven health industry & reclaim a balanced, faith-centered life.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on various health-related topics such as fasting, nutrition, exercise, and mental wellness, with episodes that critically assess modern health pitfalls. For instance, one episode delves into the spiritual and physical benefits of fasting, while another examines the relationship between asceticism and holistic health, advocating for an integrated approach to well-being that emphasizes the interplay between one's spiritual, physical, and mental states.
What does it mean to truly care for your body, mind, & soul in a way that aligns with Christ? Orthodox Health explores the timeless wisdom of the Orthodox Church in cultivating holistic well-being—spiritually, physically, & mentally.
Join your hosts as we dive into topics like fasting, nutrition, exercise, prayer, & overcoming modern health pitfalls through an Orthodox Christian lens. With guest interviews, theological insights, & practical applications, this podcast helps you break free from the consumer-driven health industry & reclaim a balanced, faith-centered life.
What does it mean to move your body, not for vanity, but for virtue?
In this episode of Orthodox Health, Dr. Michael Christian & co-host John explore physical movement through the lens of the Orthodox Christian life – from the embodied rhythms of monastic tradition, to the daily disciplines that help us to resist acedia, cultivate humility, & honor the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit.
We unpack the spiritual significance of movement, the dangers of idleness, & how modern believers can reclaim strength, energy, & quality of life through an ascetic, yet joyful relationship with physical activity.
What We Cover in This Episode:
- How Orthodox tradition frames movement as a sacred duty
- Why walking, manual labor, & strength training were core to ancient Christian life
- How Brazilian jiu-jitsu is the perfect analogy for understanding theosis, the Orthodox Christian understanding of salvation
- The role of fasting & prayer in shaping our fitness mindset
- How to overcome laziness, fatigue, & modern sedentary habits with small, intentional steps
- The difference between training for pride vs. training for service & spiritual resilience
- Strength training for muscle mass, bone density, hormone regulation, aging well, & overall wellness, as part of a Christ-centered lifestyle.
Takeaways:
- Movement is not separate from your spiritual life – it is a form of embodied prayer.
- Strength & vitality are tools for service, not self-glorification.
- You don’t need a gym – start small, be consistent, & offer your movement to God.
- Training & fasting can harmonize with the right intention & pacing.
- Orthodox Christians are called to move with purpose, gratitude, & humility.
If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend. Subscribe for future episodes where we dive deeper into the integration of Orthodox faith, ancient wisdom, & true health. Strengthen the body, steward the soul.
Chapters:
00:00 Opener
01:30 Introduction to Movement as Medicine: An Orthodox Perspective
03:11 Historical Context of Physical Activity in Orthodoxy
04:07 The Saints and Their Approach to Movement
05:04 Movement for Christ, the Apostles, & a Man Named Rocky
06:22 Practical Application of Orthodox Movement Today
07:11 The Limits of Performance as an End Goal
09:51 Fitness as a Preparation for Service
14:48 Jiu Jitsu & Theosis: On the Way of Salvation
17:45 Real World Obstacles
20:05 Fasting & Training: Can it be Done?
22:10 Are You Just Being Lazy? Acedia Vs. Asceticsm
24:08 Breaking Through Mental Blocks
25:36 Common Problems: Integrating Movement into Daily Life
27:44 Common Problems: Practicality of Training While Fasting
29:53 Common Problems: The Importance of Proper Movement Patterns
31:16 Practical Steps for Novices
32:55 Movement & Coming to Christ as Children
35:24 But What About Moving Iron?
38:20 Final Practical Takeaways
40:26 Outro
Work with Dr. Mike: OrthodoxHealth.com
Intro & Outro Music –
St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) – Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here:
https://stjohnorthodoxchurch.bandcamp.com/album/come-ye-faithful-building-fundraiser
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