Nagaland: Yoga and physical exercise vital for staying healthy, says Sharma

KOHIMA — Col. SBB Sharma, commandant of 1st Assam Rifles, stated that both yoga and physical exercises are vital to keep one healthy.

He stated this while speaking at the debate competition held at St. Mary’s Cathedral Higher Secondary School in Kohima on Friday organised by the Assam Rifles on the theme “Yoga vs physical exercises.”

“Both yoga and physical exercises are vital for holistic well-being,” emphasised Sharma, who has recently taken over as the commandant of 1st Assam Rifles. He stated that such health interventions are becoming important at the present times due to the social-economic environment, where people are unable to find proper places to engage in health–related activities due to the lack of playgrounds and basic sports amenities. He added that it is also becoming essential more so with the digital intervention into the lives of people adding yoga could be practiced in one’s room over a mat.

Sharma said yoga balances mind, body and spirit while physical exercises too focus on the body, adding that both promote healthy living.

Appreciating the participants, who brought out all the aspects of yoga and physical exercises during the debate, he apprised that the aim of the competition was not to create confusion between the two physical workouts. He stated that engaging in both the activities would lead to good health mentally, physically and spiritually.

He also informed that a series of events would be organised in preparation for the celebration of Yoga International Day.

The debate featured two groups – Team Yoga and Team Physical Exercises comprising 12 students from various classes, who enthusiastically participated in the debate competition.

Team Yoga highlighted that yoga is a connection of body, mind and spirit which focuses on the whole unification of physical, mental and emotional development.

According to them, diet can be a hindrance in physical exercise whereas in yoga that is not a concern adding that to practice yoga, there is no age limit.

The students stated that over exercising could trigger health issues, whereas yoga gives internal fitness which is more beneficial than physical exercises. They observed that yoga helps to accept oneself and can help in getting proper sleep and increase concentration.

On the other hand, Team Physical Exercises maintained that physical exercise is necessary for an individual’s healthy life in today’s modern world and that at certain point yoga is part of physical exercise. The participants were of the opinion that physical exercise can build up confidence and also keep the body, mental and emotional balanced.

The debaters have highlighted how physical exercise inculcates discipline in a person.

After a stiff competition, Team Yoga was declared the winners.

The judges of the debate competition included Maj. Aneesh Chandran C, Kekhriesenuo Monica Solo, Sachindev Thongam and Mhozienuo Kenguruse.

SBB Sharma and Rev. Fr. Vemedo Kezo, principal of the school, felicitated the winners and participants with prizes and citations.