Western
Medicine for
prevention
and healing
Physical activity
improves memory
The body is a well-oiled machine
(when properly cared for)
Strengthen our bodies
and organs
Exercise, e.g., running improves
cardiovascular health, lifting weights
makes our muscles strong
Diet, e.g., organic foods
Protect ourselves from harm,
e.g. accidents or verbal abuse
Body image
(superficial)
Doctors to keep us
healthy and strong
Survival - you only have one body
and nothing awaits you after your
body dies
Mental well-being as
important as physical
Christian
Taking care of your
body is an act of worship
Body is a temple of God
There is afterlife for the soul of the body
There is a balance between all the systems that God has created to work in sync with one another
Humans need to give their bodies both physical and spiritual nourishment (ex: manna falling from heaven)
Human life is valuable and
valued above all other life forms
God designed the human
body as perfect in his image
God is in control of
the functions of the body
Designed for procreation
The one who endures
to the end will be saved
God provided humans with everything they needed to live harmoniously with the Earth (ex: Adam and Eve, Garden of Eden)
Used medicines to heal, but
also rely on the power of God
Indigenous
No divide between physical,
material and spiritual
We are interconnected, interdependent, and interrelated to everything around us
We are stewards of our own bodies
Nature is personified
Natural remedies and cures
derived from their environment
Nature needs to be respected
In order for us to survive, our bodies require the nourishment that comes as a result of something dying (e.g., plants we eat)
Do not waste the natural resources given to them (ex: use all parts of the animal for food, making weapons, etc.)
Relied on health and body for millenia in order to traverse great distances of land
Relied on sophisticated systems of specially trained runners to send messages to other tribes and receive news
Runners moved goods along trade routes and road systems that crisscrossed the Americas
These couriers, who sometimes ran in relays, were able to cover great distances in incredibly short times.