Spiritual Fitness is a physical enhancement program created by artist Jakub Jansa. The intentions of this program are never explained nor it’s ultimate objective found. Perhaps the most interesting and intriguing aspect of this work of art is that the viewer is left to question the motives of the project, which situates itself between a self- help curriculum and social identity program that evokes an alienating yet communal experience akin †o a religious mindset. Although this program is a reflection and perhaps a critique of the rise and evolution of many of the physical enhancement communities that are prevalent today, the program is also a reflection of other aspects that are shaping global politics. Examples of contradicting rules of governance and control by contradiction are themes explored. From a historical point of view these questions are not new but they point towards an evolving and uncertain landscape of world politics today.
The world of Spiritual Fitness is a three part video series that unlocks the potential of the participant. As the viewer is introduced to the world of Spiritual Fitness a contradiction emerges that is inherit within the system. This duality is present in every action and every action can have two meanings. The opening lines of the first video titled Two Minutes starts with the lines “We smile when we feel happy but also when we are forced to smile it makes us feel happy so it goes both ways. When it comes to power it also goes both ways”.

From the opening lines the participant is asked to sacrifice the self in order to benefit from the rewards of the collective. Thus the act of smiling is meant as a social marker to connect oneself to the collective mind in physical form if not in mental form. This communal participation is reinforced in the second video installment titled One Touch where emphasis is given to scientific and mental powers of touch. As the narrator informs the viewer the very act of touch creates stronger bonds between those who adhere to the Spiritual Fitness ethos. But as soon as the viewer is introduced to the strong communal nucleus of the system in the second video the contradiction within the system emerges once more in the third and last installment titled Three Floors. Where as in the first video we are introduced to the multiplicity of an action like a smile and in the second the bond

of a touch in the third video we are introduced to the alienating aspect of the program. As the video beings the
narrator instructs the viewer towards an ambiguous action with no clear intention. This cryptic order, which separates those that understand the message and those that do not ultimately allow a person to attain further knowledge within the system. Although what must be done to unlock this action is never informed, the viewer is asked to practice in an empty elevator. The narrator explains that this is the best place to practice but it is upto the person to decide how much time is spent here. The danger and balance of this training can be both beneficial and detrimental. In the end the narrator warns “But think carefully, more practice makes your business”.

from essay by Alexander Campaz

Spiritual Fitness is a physical practise developed for Academy of Art, Architecture and Design in Prague (AAAD), presenting its complex self- development programe, in a form of public seminary. It is based on three video lessons (the first part talks about the development of self- confidence , second one is about the strengthening cooperation in working groups and third is summary). Lessons can be purchased at a special video cases, which are part of the gallery installation.

Day is night, water is fire, cocaine is not enough, depression does not exist. People are flying in the sky propelled by their own confidence. Everyone is going the same direction; to a brilliant day after tomorrow, and the work week begins and ends on Friday. The initial skepticism is like a plague, failure is prohibited and the winner is you. The path to self-confidence, positive thinking, success – that's Spiritual Fitness. An originally inconspicuous student movement has become today a possible model of a future studio at the School of Applied Arts, where weak individuals are being transformed into strong and resilient creatures. All this with with minimum effort invested. Two minutes and one touch is enough to mechanically reprogram the human body into a confident and solid mass. The movement of Spiritual Fitness aims to transform unconvincing presentations (by the weak voices of fragile shells) into indescribably wonderful lectures boasting punchlines from the dominant Supermen. At the beginning I also did not believe, but thanks to two minutes of sophisticated exercise, one is convinced about himself and his limitless choices and own brilliance.

Achieve self-confidence and healthy self-esteem is, in today's accelerated virtual world (which lacks empathy) incredibly difficult. Even creatively or technically talented individuals have problems making a mark because of strong doubts. Thanks goes to the laboratory of scientific studies that verifies various mechanical movements, and our highest hawk Jakub Jansa, who has discovered the secret source code of the human psyche. Day is night, water is fire, cocaine is not enough, depression does not exist. People are flying in the sky propelled by their own confidence. Everyone is going the same direction; to a brilliant day after tomorrow, and the work week begins and ends on Friday. The sun rose in the east and will no longer set. The initial skepticism is like a plague, failure is prohibited and the winner is you.

Directed by: Jakub Jansa
Camera by: Kryštof Hlůže, Kryštof Melka
Cast: Marie Jansová, William Valerián,
Agáta Nowaková, Petr Jakeš, Petr Hák
Voice: Dirk Wright
Sound: Jakub Jansa, Jaromír Hávorník, Kateřina Zochová,
Case objects: Jakub Jansa
Graphic Design: Štěpán Marko
Illustration: Luky
VVVV: Jan Nálepa
Photos: Michal Ureš, Peter Fabo
Web: Florian Karsten