Keep fit at any cost

Although civilisation has produced 'cultural animals' in the world, it has robbed them of their physical fitness to a great extent.

As a hunter the primitive cave dweller ran after his quarry with a bow and arrows. He had to run fast to reach his target. As there was no fire readily available, he had to produce it by striking one stone against another. All these were physical activities.

After some centuries, the primitive man entered the Iron Age. He had crude iron implements to till the land, kill animals, cut their flesh and prepare his food. By the way, legendary Prince Vijaya and his 700 followers who arrived in the island more than 2,500 years ago are believed to have brought iron implements.

Then we have a string of Sinhalese kings such as Pandukabhaya, Devanampiya Tissa, Dutthagamini, Parakramabahu the Great, Dhatusena, Mahasen and Vasabha who are credited with the ushering in of the Hydraulic Civilisation.

People of the island enjoyed the fruits of this new civilisation for 1,500 years during the Anuradhapura kingdom and 200 years during the Polonnaruwa kingdom. The large tanks, canals and other waterways built manually during this long period show clearly how the people exercised their muscle power to the maximum.

Those who participated in these massive hydrological projects did not work as slaves. The king was a benevolent dictator who looked after their needs. There is no archaeological evidence to show that ancient Sinhalese tank builders used any heavy machinery.

Some Canadian and British engineers who made an aerial survey of Rajarata were stunned by the engineering skills of the tank builders.

Those who are visiting Anuradhapura during the Poson season can see the ruins of massive buildings and stone statues. We still do not know how they built seven-storeyed buildings in the city mainly using their brains and physical power.

Meanwhile, the Mahavamsa mentions the names of 10 giants who fought valiantly in the battle against Elara launched by Dutthagamini. These giants were physically strong men who did not dissipate their energy by drinking alcohol and smoking.

With the rapid advancement of science and technology during the centuries that followed, the Hydraulic Civilisation has disappeared completely. In the 21st century, we have settled down to a sedentary lifestyle which does not demand physical energy. With the advent of television most of us have become couch potatoes. Instead of making a trip to Kandy to see the great Esala pageant we are happy to watch it on television.

The developments in telecommunication technology have made our long distance trips redundant. Instead of meeting our friends and relatives, we are content with calling them over the phone.

The mobile phone mania has made things worse for the new generation. Even schoolchildren carry mobile phones now.

Scientists have warned that there might be an epidemic in the distant future with people suffering from ear and brain problems. Constant use of mobile phones is said to affect your brain cells adversely.

Our roads in the city and even villages are chock-a-block with traffic. Most of us have given up walking to school, office or to the railway station. Trishaws are at our beck and call and we spend our hard-earned money to travel even short distances. In the good old days when transport services were not so developed, people walked long distances quite willingly. The long walks helped them to remain healthy.

Fast food restaurants and their appetising junk foods have produced a generation of people suffering from high-blood pressure, diabetes and asthma. A recent survey shows that even some schoolchildren are suffering from diabetes.

We realise the value of exercise only when we are struck down by some disease. Sometimes it will be too late to repair the damage.

However, there is a fresh interest in sports and physical exercises among most people. Busy people now make it a point to visit the gymnasium or the swimming pool regularly. Others play tennis, cricket, golf and volleyball. Those who cannot do such strenuous sports have turned to yoga exercises.

The word 'yoga' originates from the Sanskrit 'yuj' meaning 'to concentrate oneself' or 'to meditate deeply'. Very broadly, it means a reintegration, a bringing back into balance. Yoga harmonises the body, breath, mind and spirit. The spirit is considered pure and eternal.

Yoga helps anyone to maintain a healthy mind in a healthy body. Those who do yoga exercises claim that they feel better and relaxed. Every yoga practice is a small reversal of consciousness. With yoga we come back to understand our essential goodness. This is perhaps the ideal exercise for busy people.