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In today’s hectic world, maintaining our health and wellness has become more important than ever. We often focus on physical fitness, but true wellness encompasses not only the body, but also mind and spirit. We can achieve a balanced life by integrating practices such as Ayurveda, yoga, meditation, and even modern approaches like gym workouts and strength training. This fusion of ancient wisdom and contemporary fitness methods delivers a good health.
Going to gym or doing any kind of exercise is not just about lifting heavy weights. It’s about finding harmony between the mind, body, and spirit.
What I think of good health is, that we should balance the three doshas-Vata (air and space), Pitta (fire and water), and Kapha (earth and water).
Strength Training: Building Physical and Mental Strength
While yoga offers flexibility and calmness, strength training helps build physical resilience. Modern-day strength training, often performed in the gym is about building endurance, improving posture, and supporting overall fitness.
Old-time warriors practiced forms of strength training too, employing body weight exercises like push-ups and squats, which are still an integral part of today’s fitness routines. The gym, with its equipments, provides a more structured way to address this.
Lifting weights, for example, not only builds muscle but also strengthens bones and joints, reducing the risk of injury as we age. Incorporating gym exercises into your routine, especially compound lifts, offers significant benefits for overall strength and fitness. Compound lifts like squats, deadlifts, and bench presses engage multiple muscle groups at once, making them highly efficient for building muscle and improving functional strength. Squats target the legs, core, and back, enhancing stability and endurance. Deadlifts are excellent for strengthening the posterior
chain, including the lower back, glutes, and hamstrings. Bench presses develop the chest, shoulders, and triceps, boosting upper body strength.
Complementing these lifts with exercises like pull-ups and lunges further enhances balance, flexibility, and full-body coordination.
Example: A person starting with light weights for exercises like bench presses and squats gradually develops not only physical strength but also confidence and mental toughness. Strength training also boosts metabolism, which helps with weight management-a common wellness goal today.
Combination of yoga and strength training
This blend of strength training and yoga creates a perfect balance- strengthening the body while keeping the mind focused and relaxed.
Take the practice of Surya Namaskar for instance. This ancient yoga sequence engages the entire body, much like a full- body workout in the gym. When combined with weight training or resistance exercises, you get a holistic routine that improves both flexibility and muscle strength.
Meditation and Mental Health: Finding Peace in a Busy World
Incorporating meditation into your wellness routine can do wonders for your mental health. Life is full of stress triggers, and meditation acts as a much-needed respite. The Bhagavad Gita speaks of controlling the mind through meditation, reminding us that introspection brings clarity.
Whether it’s practicing mindfulness after a workout or spending five minutes in silent meditation each morning, these small moments of reflection can drastically improve emotional well-being.
What we eat also plays a vital role in our health. In Indian tradition, food is seen as a source of energy that influences both body and mind. A Sattvic diet, comprising of fresh, natural, and plant-based foods, promotes not only physical health but also mental well being. Whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes are considered Sattvic because they nourish the body without overstimulating it, keeping us calm and centered.
Example: A simple meal like khichdi (a dish made of
rice and lentils) is light yet nutritious, making it perfect for days when you want to detox and give your
digestive system a break. Creating Balance in Modern Life Health and wellness aren’t just about working out at the gym or sticking to a rigid diet. They’re about finding balance in every aspect of life-balancing strength training with yoga, calming the mind with meditation, and nourishing the body with wholesome foods.
Whether you’re hitting the gym for a strength session, unwinding with a yoga abhyasa, or meditating to find peace amidst a busy day, remember that wellness is a continuous journey. By embracing both ancient wisdom and modern fitness routine, you can have a well-rounded and wholesome approach to physical and mental well-being. As the ancient Vedic saying goes, “Yat Pinde Tat Brahmande”- the microcosm within us reflects the macrocosm of the universe. By nurturing our own wellness, we align ourselves with the essence of life itself.