Mind the fitness gap

In this day and age, where fitness zones and watching over one’s calorie intake are literally a tap away; the concept of fitness is no longer elusive to the discerningly health-conscious. Rather, it has made its way into many chock-a-block schedules — age no bar. That said, what really falls under the periphery of fitness? Or better, who’s to say what the term actually encapsulates? On World Fitness Day, Bengaluru Chronicle chats up with popular faces in the city who give us their take...

Fitness, an inside job: Indeed, physical activity is a key component to living healthy. But, it only serves a purpose when combined with proper nutrition and holistic wellness, believes Shreyas Gopal, a city-based youth icon and right-handed batsman for Mumbai Indians.

“A strenuous workout can boost your stamina levels and improve your self esteem. But that’s just at the surface. What you feed your mind and your system is of absolute importance. Being fit is about striking an intelligent body-mind balance. As a sportsperson, that’s one of the fundamental aspects I consider.” Hinting how the prevailing fitness culture is here to stay, Shwetambari Shetty a zumba educational specialist, adds, “Fitness is a choice you make. It is no longer a luxury in India, and is slowly evolving and becoming a necessity.  It’s refreshing to note that millennial Indians have begun to invest in personal wellness, which probably wasn’t the case a decade ago. I feel happy and liberated, when I exercise and I think every one should treat themselves to at least so much. . What people need to understand is that fitness, happiness and health are part of a cycle. You can’t exclude one and expect a smooth functioning of the rest.”

Let fitness find you: For Sruthi Hariharan, Sandalwood actress, the pursuit to fitness started out with an innate passion for dance. “I’ve been a dancer all my life. While I hardly find the time to indulge in some crazy workouts, I always make time for pranayama. My views on fitness are simple : Doing what you love radiates happiness. And, happiness is the purest form of fitness. When you’re satisfied and content, there’s an assurance of overall well-being which goes without saying. So, I’d say, be happy to be fit!”

Vouching by a similar ideology, Namita Kulkarni, a popular yoga practitioner states when discipline meets delight, health is the result. “Health isn’t a flag you hoist on the peak, but a mountain you’re glad to just be on. I need my daily spiritual practices to keep my sanity in a world that grows madder by the minute, so Yoga meets that need by guiding me on all levels — not just the physical. I see it as a work-in rather than a work-out. The body is our home in a way that no mansion, city or country will ever be, no matter how warm and welcoming.  Whether you feel confined or free within the walls of your physicality depends on how you inhabit that space. Do you marvel at it or do you complain about it? Do you appreciate all the zillion things it does without you knowing or do you deride it for not ‘looking’ a certain way? Do you thank it or thwart it?Your most permanent address (all through this lifetime, anyway) awaits your knock on the door. On this fitness day, I urge everyone to find your workout type, and stick to it. Do what your body says, and an all-round fitness shall follow.”

This goes in a box: Expert says: “When people think about fitness, it is just the physical fitness that comes to mind. We cannot ignore the mind and body connection. People generally do not make a conscious attempt to be mentally fit. On World Fitness Day, I would like to highlight the importance of spreading awareness about mental health particularly among the youth. From sleep deprivation to depression, people are bogged down by several mental health issues in their daily life. Practicing simple techniques like meditation helps in alleviating these problems to great extent.”