Before moving to rural India, people told me I'd get sick there, but actually I was a lot healthier considering all the exericise I got. Without a car, we walked more and rode bikes. Also there was swimming in Ganga, hauling water from a well when the power went out, doing laundry by hand, and climbing four flights of stairs to get to our apartment (six flights to hang up the laundry on the roof). Keeping fit in an American city, on the other hand, is more of a challenge, but I am alway looking for ways to do it without having to purchase expensive equipment or to travel to a fitness spa. My favorite ways are:A HOUSEWORK WORKOUT
Housework can give plenty of exercise-scrubbing showers, scrubbing floors, sweeping floors and porches, washing walls, washing windows. Also while cooking there are little things like kneading bread, grinding spices and foods on a grinding stone or mortar and pestle and juicing oranges. I like to do things by hand or with the simplest tools as much as possible, but I do use modern appliances when available or necessary, like when I'm in a hurry or making larger quantities.
Many jobs don't have to be done all in one day either. They can be spread out through the week in a cleaning schedule. Washing one wall or one window thoroughly, scrubbing one or part of a floor or a shower- just one thing a day is good enough for getting the heart pumping, and will give a burst of energy for getting through the rest of the day.
Click here for the lady that thinks similarly about housework. Also, for those who love old fashioned tools and supplies like I do, check out Lehman's .
Prabhupāda: In India the practice was hand grind daily. The women will do that. That's exercise for them, and they keep their body fit and beautiful.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Oxen can also grind, I think. Can oxen also?
Prabhupāda: No, there is no need oxen. Individually, small grinding- chapki(?). And in the morning they chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and grind. (sings) Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare... This is very nice process. Whatever they require for the day, they grind fresh. Very nice system. And actually, by this exercise, they keep their body beautiful.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Keeps them well engaged.
Prabhupāda: And engagement. Yaśodāmāyi was doing that, even she is the queen of Nanda Mahārāja, what to speak of other women. Churning milk, grinding the wheat, this is their household. We have got that picture. Full engagement. Otherwise gossiping... Prabhupāda: (chuckling) "Idle brain, devil's workshop."
GARDENING AND YARDWORK
Gardening is a wonderful way to get out into the sunshine and fresh air regularly, and there are many tasks to do in the yard as well such as sweeping walkways, weeding, trimming bushes and raking leaves.
TAKING WALKS
One can take daily japa walks or for an inexpensive, transcendental "treadmill" walk around and around an area where tulsi grows or some other parikrama path. Not only is walking good for the body, its also known for relieving stress, especially if one is fortunate to live in the country or have a spacious park nearby.
The little cares that fretted me,
I lost them yesterday
Among the fields, above the sea,
Among the winds at play;
Among the lowing of the herds,
The rustling of the trees,
Among the singing of the birds,
The humming of the bees.
The foolish fears of what may happen--
I cast them all away
Among the clover-scented grass,
Among the new-mown hay;
Among the husking of the corn
Where drowsy poppies nod,
Where ill thoughts die and good are born,
Out in the fields with God.
-Elizabeth Barrett Browning
MORE SUGGESTIONS
Dancing to kirtana at mangala or to a favorite CD
Martial arts such as Tai Chi or the Eight Treasures
Yoga such as the surya pranams and other favorite postures
Swimming
Ball games with the children
Aerobics such as leg stretches, situps and push ups.
CREATING A ROUTINE.
Favorite exercises can be put together in a routine. For example: a 15 minute walk, one set of 8 treasures, 3 yoga namaskaras, 10 situps, 10 wall pushups, and 10 minutes of dancing to kirtana tapes, followed up with 30 min of extra housework and yardwork. Swimming is great fun at least once a week in the summer.
MORE FITNESS TIPS
- While working sitting down, one can stop every half hour or two to walk and stretch or get a drink of water.
- Using the stairs instead of elevator or walking to a store and carrying items such as groceries is recommended.
- Instead of driving, walking briskly or riding a bike makes a healthy alternative. Or parking one's car as far away from an entrance as possible in order to walk more.
- Many free and low cost physical activity may be found near one's home such as a park, a trail, or a pool.
- Buying gifts such as sporting equipment that gets the whole family outdoors is yet another way to promote physical activity.
- Some time outdoors should be spent each day, with family members, too. It is fun discovering how much there is to do. Just getting outside makes ideas start popping up- raking leaves, playing ball, snowball fights, collecting flowers, swinging, gardening, walking and picnics are just a few.
- Children's chores, also, are yet another chance for them to be active.
It takes bodily strength to carry one's body properly, and an active lifestyle helps maintain that strength.
When the posture is good, the internal organs are not cramped and energy can flow properly. If one needs some help correcting poor posture, it is suggested to learn belly breathing. It is believed this has a lot to do with the chakras or energy centers in the body. Once that midsection of the body loosens up and belly breathing is totally natural, posture can improve. "The snake (kundalini) is awake!" The belly will not protrude either. So the more we become purified, the better the understanding of how this works. Another common suggestion for more immediate help has been to imagine a string pulling you up from the top of our head. while keeping the shoulders and body relaxed.
More importantly, the more in touch one is with Krishna, the more one's self esteem will bloom, not afraid to stand up straight with chest up, shoulders back and confident. A favorite story is that of hunchbacked Kubja. Of course, she had a little help from Krsna to get straightened out, but in essence, it was Krsna's association that touched her heart and changed her whole world.
Observing good and bad models that inspire improvement also helps.
Massage is yet another form of exercise. It allows bodily energies to flow properly, and it is especially recommended for babies and the elderly who don't get around much.
Massaging from the feet upward is stimulating and from the head downward is relaxing and induces sleep.
Head massages, neck and shoulder rubs are especially relaxing, and are also good for soothing headaches and aiding sleep.
During the cold season, a massage with mustard oil and sitting in the morning sunshine about 10 minutes before the noon bath is recommended.