In the present era, where urban life is flooded with air conditioned gyms, clubs, fancy workout studios and civilized man’s ultimate fitness is defined as his power mucles and six pack abdoman,there is one man whose fitness is appreciated since the ages. He is my dear Mahatma Gandhi! He is role model of fitness for many across the boundaries.
At the age of 61 years he marched Dandi Yatra,everyday walking 16 kms for 24 days..
Without branded cushioning shoes,sports drink ,latest gadget sports watch or ‘Dry fit’ clothes… During freedom struggle he walked 79000 Kms from 1938 to 1945,people call it two times the round to the earth..He could make it with simple vegetable food without any codiments, because according to Mahatma Gandhi all codiments e.g Pepper,asafitoda,coriander,musturd,chilles are for tempting the palate.Staying in Britain and South Africa being vegetarian many years he survived on Oats.For him ‘food should be taken as a matter of duty even as a medicine to sustain the body,never for the satisfaction of the palate’.
Therefore whatever necessary for the body to function was food for him and he practiced it for 50 years.In his Autobiography there is mention that in young age he was tempted by friends to eat tasty food but then he followed strict food control throughout his life.Yes..Gandhiji was knowing what tasty food about it but then he had to divert his path of truth for enjoying it,hiding from his mother.That was a pinch which made him to leave his path tasty,spicy food.His food principles were more of his nonviolence and truth,which includes truth to the self.
His vegetarianism was one of morality. Now,everyone talks about
Proteins,supplements,Keto,Paleo Diet,stamina boosters but it is fact that Mahatma Gandhi walked miles and miles with simple vegetarian food.He used to opt for raw or boiled vegetables,fruits, vegetable, unprocessed cereals,jaggery.He was fond of walking.During his period in Britain as a student also he used to walk miles.Infact it was his hobby.He was always curious about all religions,health systems from his student days.
He wrote many articles ‘Guide to health’ in his ‘Indian Opinion’ weekly.According to him,’Health means body at ease.’ in short body without disease.He believed that healthy man should able to walk ten to twelve miles a day and perform ordinary physical labour without getting tired.He should able to digest ordinary food.Half marathon is 21.5 kms where runners win medals,but Gandhi himself used to walk 18km a day.
Mahatma Gandhi’s fitness is nothing but his faith on yoga and naturopathy. All his principles of non violence and truth are part of Yama in Yoga.He was strong believer of the prayer. For him, ‘Prayer is the key in the morning and the bolt in the evening’.We are staying in the world where mind itself is under turmoil,insomnia is common. Sleeping pills, alcohol , narco drugs becoming routine. It is all the quest of peace of a modern man where Gandhi’s remedy was
Simple. He was peace loving and prayer was the symphony of that peace.Today’s fast life prayer is lost and so the soul from the body.Swami Rama nicely explained Gandhi’s walk.,”When he walked,it was like Yogi”
He practiced prayer for the purification of mind.For Mahatma Gandhi physical fitness was not the only measure of fitness.He considered person healthy only if ‘His mind and senses are
in a state of harmony and poise.’He advised people to forget their anger before sleep.Infact Hatred,jealousy all are different forms of anger.
To keep mind healthy he practiced Prayer and was strong supporter of ‘Forgiveness and Compassion’ which are also defined as techniques to keep mind steady in Yoga.His nonviolence,truth, celibacy at later age are all principles of Yoga included in ‘Yama’ and
Prayer,austerity,cleanliness are ‘Niyamas’. Gandhiji was real yogi ,man of yogic principles.
During freedom struggle he had 17 fasts,his longest fast was of 21 days.Fasting detoxifies body at the same time builds mind strength.He was a strong supporter of intermittent fasting.In his ‘Key for health’ he says that atleast one day of the week person should keep fast, if not possible for full day atleast part of the day.
Written by: Smita Somane- GST Additional Commissioner paramsmit@hotmail.com
