Hunzakuts Daily Fitness Exercise and Workout

Daily physical exercise is another great Hunza health secret. Though Hunzakuts spend most part of their day outdoors, working the fields, they do a lot more than that.

1. They take regular walks:

A 15 or 20 kilometer hike is considered quite normal. Of course they don’t walk that distance every day, but doing so does not require any special effort. You should also keep in mind that hiking along mountain trails is a lot more demanding than walking over flat terrain.

Of course we’re not suggesting you change your way of life completely in order to stay healthy and live longer. But one thing the Hunza valley people's life-style does demonstrate is that physical exercise and workout is very important for health and wellness.

Walking for an hour each day, something most people can manage, is excellent for both your body and your mind. In fact, walking is the simplest, least costly and most accessible form of exercise there is. And contrary to what you may think, it also provides you with a complete workout. So get in step with the Hunzas and start walking!

2. Hunzakuts play volleyball and water polo:

They continue engaging in sports even at a very advanced age. It is common to see Hunzakut centenarians playing water polo or volleyball, both of which are the favorites recreations of the community.

3. Hunzakuts swim as much as possible:

Even though the water in mountain lakes is very cold.

4. They take Yoga exercise daily physical exercise:

Most especially yogic breathing, which is slow, deep and rhythmic, and which makes use of the entire thoracic cavity.

Taking regular Yoga practice is one of the best ways to combat the high levels of stress commonly associated with our modern, fast-paced life-style.

5. The Hunzakuts observe pure relaxaton and meditation:

Another valuable yoga-related technique used by the Hunzas concerns the fine art of relaxation. Most westerners are not even aware that they are living in an almost constant state of stress.

Being ‘stressed-out’ has become so common people think it’s natural! For many, life in the last part of the twentieth century has become an insane rat-race that is too often terminated by a sudden heart attack or a nervous breakdown.

Sadly, many westerners conform to the short portrait drawn by Sigmund Freud, who wrote:

Man is a sick animal.

Of course he was talking about psychological sickness, but his words also can just as well be applied to our physical condition, and especially to the dismal state of our nervous system, which is often overburdened and exhausted, giving rise to a host of psychosomatic (self-induce) diseases that no amount of chemical medications seem able to cure.

Relaxation and meditation is one of the major secrets of healthy living, and the Hunzakuts - young and old, observe it regularly, doing short meditation sessions a number of times daily.

We cannot offer any detailed explanations of the relaxation and medication techniques they use. The best thing would be to buy a specialized manual on the subject of relaxation.

The Hunzas take short but regular breaks, during which they practice various meditation and relaxation techniques. While these exercises last only a few minutes daily, they are unbelievably effective for energy restoration.

What do people here in the west do when they take a break? Have a coffee or smoke a cigarette, both of which drain energy in the long run, although they may have a temporarily stimulating effect.

Anyone who has had a bit of training can rapidly enter a state of deep relaxation. For the Hunzas, relaxation is essential. During their pauses they do not talk, but instead focus inwards, listening to the silence of their soul. Why not let this ancient wisdom work for you?

Learn to take time out during each working day to meditate and relax. Taking only twenty deep breaths is enough to regenerate both your mind and your body.

To the Hunzas, knowing when to take a break and using the time to relax is instinctive. Here in the west, however, we seem to have lost touch with our instincts. The unfortunate, and often tragic result is that the body, in an attempt to claim the rest it so desperately needs, will eventually refuse to function altogether. In other words, it gets sick, suffering a nervous breakdown or worse - a fatal heart attack.

6. They practise energy management:

While the Hunzakuts work very hard for long hours daily, they are used to the art of energy management and relaxation. For one thing, they tend to work at a slow steady pace instead of in frenetic bursts. This saves both energy and time over the long run, and lets them to achieve more than they would by overextending themselves, and then becoming exhausted. The Hunzas know that you can work much longer if you are not tense, since nervous and muscular tension result in a considerable waste of energy.

Addendum

An ordinary Hunza day starts early - around 5 a.m.

Actually, the Hunzas rise with the sun, and go to bed at nightfall. The reason for this is simple: they possess no artificial means of illumination - no electricity, no gas, no oil. On the other hand, they are completely in tune with nature. Of course it would be impossible for us to live that way. But you should be aware of one important point: your deepest hours of regenerating sleep occur before midnight.

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