Why must I?

(thoughts of a non-practitioner who converted)

Do I really need to exercise today? I didn’t eat breakfast- I never do. I drink two dark teas (Earl Grey and some other stuff I found in an aisle that looked healthy enough); I might nibble on almonds and raisins at best. I did swim last evening, and later walked to the Massage Place called Chao 9- heavenly. Thirteen thousand steps down, and a foot massage- it was one of my better days.

Yesterday’s exercise doesn’t run into today alas, so I’ll stretch and walk where I stand, fast and hard and check my smart watch. Why is it important anyway? Oh! I know why, but occasionally I need to ask out loud, because some days are harder than others- my heart needs pumping, my legs need the stretching, my tummy needs to be tucked in and my pelvic girdle - tightened etc.

Some days, I simply don’t feel like moving it. I mean I’m not a machine- I need a break from the vigorous job of breathing and remembering to be grateful. I am. Every day as I breathe and live.

Curled at the corner of the sofa, cushioned up, reading from my recently-bought collection, a fine book, and munching on an apple or a Guava is all I wish to do. I might even indulge my taste-buds and eat some Pakoras and cookies.

And it’s okay to on occasion. It’s okay to let go.

One is painfully aware that physical tasks must be undertaken every single day.

The truth is it’s the mind that keeps me wired- pushing boundaries, lugging the body along, an obedient servant, it listens and dances to this mind’s willful song.

Exercise and less meat I hear, is the way to go. And I’m certainly well on this recommended path.

What is it about exercise that excites all those folk running around in Lumpini park in tiny shorts and very sweaty tees!- oldies slow dancing in Tai Chi mode, those middle-agers jogging and then folk like me, a coffee in hand at 6 am, from 7/11, looking out for that elusive empty stone bench to seat myself on; I sing as I sip an ‘Americano sai nom’ (black coffee with a dash of milk) and photograph a bird or two, skimming the waters, catch those massive and moving creatures they call Monitor Lizards. A story comes alive on my Insta Feed, with a song to boot; my kind of exercise; makes me happy and chirpy and lends verve to my spirit.

But to not be too harsh upon my leisurely self, I do love swimming and a game of pickle ball- but I also am a foodie. The two don’t work well together – if either love is indulged in excess. I love it all. And, I don’t understand moderation.

Therein lies the rub.

I recently got hooked to HABUILD (habit building) and it’s been a game changer for me. The founder, a young man with undeniable charm called Saurabh Bothra, an engineer from IIT, and what-have-you, offered a new kind of exercise regimen during the Covid lockdown, and it caught on like fire.

It is here to stay and I love the name- Habuild. It’s perfect for what it portends.

Six sessions a day starting at 6.30 am (IST) at forty-five minutes a session- and one can join any session or more than one. Essentially yogic at its core, Bothra set us up for successful participation- the diversity he displays to get us to participate blew me. He gets us to focus during the first half hour, on a certain area of the body on a given day, and it’s almost impossible to predict what and how he’s going to make the seeker of fitness follow. The eager onlooker undertakes whatever is asked, under his spell.

It all adds to the excitement, believe you me. I’m a convert. How could I not get addicted to something so joyful, meditative and active all at once! I am human.  

The last quarter of an hour is dedicated to 16 asanas and he always imbues each Asana with either a variation with breathing techniques thrown in for good measure, or simply has us follow the Asana as is- the Yoga way. He never fails to explain the benefits of each movement, and each technique with finesse and simplicity.

I got hooked pretty quickly, so much so, that I dislike missing a session. It irritates me to have not found even 45 minutes to follow this regimen that’s kind and reassuring. And then I have a habit tracker on WhatsApp, a personal one, which receives a glorious tick once I’ve attended the day’s session. 6 sessions a day on offer; how does it get better than that!

My body certainly speaks to me with more flexibility, both inner and outer, and my stamina levels are definitely up- but above all, my mind is cleared of its clutter. It’s only been seven weeks, and an alchemy has taken place for sure.

There remains no room for doubt that following such like consistently yields tangible results. It can very easily be made to fulfil and fill one’s life with all the benefits Saurabh Bothra purports.

With inimitable candour and irrefutable logic above all, he leads the way online, speaking in both English and Hindi.

Okay, let me quickly message those friends of mine who are still not on the program. In the meantime, check out HABUILD on Youtube!