Keep it simple

Recently read an article that caustically pointed out the tendency of trainers to unnecessarily complicate terms and overuse/misuse them in a bid to capture/impress an audience. I agree. This tendency is not restricted to the world of health and fitness alone, however. Some time ago I had written about the “corporatization of language” in general. Too much to express too little, the ever growing habit of trying to reinvent an existing concept in a “new”/”first time ever” and similar avatars, and the constant need to sound intelligent and a path breaker. It never ceases to amaze me how much disposable income people have to readily lap up stuff that will “set them apart”. The more expensive it is , the better the chances it will sell, actually. People are now looking for “social performance” rather than personal betterment and I suspect they will happily stand upside down with blood gushing to their heads if they are told it will make them come across as “wow”. Anything to be different. Like Maggi Sauce.

It’s amusing really to see how easy it has become to milk human vanity and the addictive need for social endorsement.
Having had the chance to meet up with some very talented and interesting people in the past year, two things have stood out very clearly. Both reinforcing what I have long believed and tried on occasions to gently point out, at the risk of unruffling a few feathers.

1) The “elite” and “ultra” performers are quite simple in their approach to their needs in terms of what to do to get to where they are. They just know they have to perform and don’t want to be cluttered with information overdose. And they are living, awe inspiring examples of such performance. They keep it simple and listen to their bodies. Literally so. Many of them on being questioned revealed,that they “go with the flow” and do not bother with the technical structures (“verticals” as they are called now) beyond a point, if at all. Some of them in fact seem to have turned the so called technical wisdom upside down and are displaying amazing results. Again and again.

2) There is a lot of native talent and wisdom in this country which is simply not being given due respect and credit. If you start looking, you will realize that perhaps there is a preamble to almost all kinds of trainings and science – physical and spiritual- in this magnificent country with a mind boggling history. Science that was always passed down in a form which is today called a “residency program” – Guru Shishya parampara. Theoretical and practical learning was a way of life, not a few events in a year. Many of our ancient forms – be it the classical dances or martial arts are still trying to hold on to this format. But sadly in an attempt to go global, we are allowing ourselves to live in ignorance and become awestruck with everything thrown our way as “new” or “best”.

To be fair, there really is a lot happening in the world and it would be foolish to not imbibe whatever we can. Just don’t do it like blind fools. What is your aim? What are you trying to achieve? Most importantly – what is the SIMPLEST way of getting there? Simplest doesn’t mean easiest. It means focused and suited to your needs and situation. You know what happens when you want to shove everything on offer in a buffet in your mouth. It’s the same with your health and fitness. Everyday there is something more to capture your attention. You should be working out because it gives you joy, keeps you healthy and for the more goal oriented ones – it helps you achieve whatever milestone(s) you’ve set out for yourselves. You just might amaze yourself.

KEEP IT SIMPLE. if it works for the elite performers, it will work for you