Last week we spoke of the importance of eating right to supplement and maximize the positive impacts of Yoga practice and how a healthy diet is one of the important aspects of the holistic life system of Yoga. Another important contributive factor of this holistic system is ‘Vihaar’ which we understand as leisure or recreational activities, but which also encompasses the important aspect of our interpersonal relationships.
Why Vihaar is important
Balance of all sorts is very important for the yogi. If you stress the importance of eating a balanced diet, you should also lay stress on balancing work and recreation. It is a bit like that old adage, all work and no play… not only does it make you and me dull, it increases stress, lowers immunity, increases the chances of several lifestyle ailments and even impacts relationships negatively. Relaxation and recreation are very important to help invigorate and energize both the mind and the body. Both solitary and social recreations are important and beneficial.
Beneficial types of Vihaar
The concept of recreation today is perhaps not the same as that which was envisioned by the yogis of yore. While we equate recreation with partying, perhaps till late at night and with a lot of eating and drinking, this form of recreation is less to be recommended than other forms. Recreation can be as simple as sitting by yourself in a park or any quiet area simply enjoying the scene and taking the time to do absolutely nothing for some part of your day; without speaking to anyone, without external pressures, places to go and things to do. Doing absolutely nothing can be remarkably beneficial but it is also remarkably difficult to do!
Recreation can be playing a simple game of catch with your children or regularly enjoying a sport with your spouse or your friend. Playing any game regularly is more than just physical activity; it is great for your health and for your interpersonal relationships as well. It also inculcates the sportsman spirit, teaches you humility from losing now and then and is a healthy form of social interaction where you meet friends, chat about the day, share experiences and enjoy a few convivial moments each day. For spouses it can be a great way to bond and spend some quality time together regularly.
Recreation can and should include some amount of communing with nature. If you’re lucky enough to be living close to a park make sure to visit it regularly for walks and so on. Otherwise take the time to fit in activities such as nature walks, cycling, hiking or trekking along hilly paths over the weekend where everyone in the family can benefit from the fresh, unpolluted air and some time away from electronics and automated devices of all sorts that we seem to depend upon all the time.
Of course watching TV or going for a movie will inevitably become a part of your daily recreational pursuits, but there are a few things you can do to curtail the amount of time you spend on these activities. Firstly don’t have your TV in your bedroom if at all possible. Have a family rule about the maximum amount of time anyone can watch TV (not just kids; adults too!). And make it a rule to do some reading everyday; that’s automatically less time for TV!
The aim of Vihaar for the yogi should be to make you feel relaxed, refreshed and energized; which also involves spending some time alone and some with the people most important to you. I am sure you can think of other healthy ways to use your leisure time; why not message me if you think of something else? I would love to hear from you!
Contact me at +91-99675-31905 to learn more about leading a yogic lifestyle, or join my morning Yoga session in Bandra west, Mumbai.