‘2,000-year-old fitness code’: What the Bhagavad Gita knew before gyms existed
Produced by: Manoj Kumar
Still Posture
In Chapter 6, the Gita instructs to sit “with body, head, and neck aligned.” Ancient advice echoes modern spine-health mantras from yoga and chiropractic disciplines.
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Vital Breath
Pranayama, the Gita says, channels life force through breath. Modern studies show how breathwork calms the nervous system and boosts longevity.
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Focused Mind
Dhyana—deep meditation—is championed as a tool for soul-connection. Neuroscientist Sara Lazar found it literally thickens the brain’s gray matter.
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Active Duty
Krishna warns: “Inaction can’t even sustain the body.” Echoing WHO guidelines, movement is shown to prevent over 35 chronic diseases.
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Walking Meditation
Yoga in motion—“serenity in movement”—is praised. Harvard Medical School supports mindful walking as a natural antidepressant.
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Balanced Living
Too much or too little—whether sleep, food, or exercise—leads to imbalance. Ayurveda backs this sattvic ideal as key to long-term wellness.
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Inner Harmony
Choose actions that uplift and calm. Gita’s sattvic focus mirrors modern psych studies showing peaceful habits reduce cortisol and improve mood.
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Conscious Action
Karma-yoga reframes physical work as spiritual practice. Like Zen archery, purpose-driven motion blends mindfulness with mastery.
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Holistic Fit
The Gita unites body, breath, mind, and soul. This all-in-one approach predates today’s “integrative wellness” by millennia.
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