Being fit should be a holistic idea encompassing both physical and mental well-being. While working out in the gym or engaging in other physical activities contributes to physical fitness, it may not necessarily ensure mental wellness. Silent reflection, on the other hand, can aid in mental wellbeing, providing mental clarity and inner serenity needed to make decisions or process life and its various moments. Mental well-being is further enhanced when specific movements, such as in yoga, Pilates, or mindfulness practices, are incorporated in silence. These quiet practices or workouts contribute to emotional well-being in diverse ways, offering a comprehensive approach to personal enhancement.
“Similar to how sitting by a fire keeps you warm, being away from noise and distractions keeps your mind clear and inner peace intact,” says Vijay Suman, yoga and spiritual therapist at Recoup Health, Bengaluru.
“Practicing quiet practices or workouts like yoga while sitting alone allows you to explore your inner serenity and highest consciousness. As a result, you feel less stressed physically and mentally and awaken many aspects of your personality, such as decision-making, positivity, acceptance, focus, and creativity,” adds Suman.
Finding the balance through quiet practices
While high-impact or physically demanding activities are essential to achieve your physical fitness objectives, they may not be sufficient to keep you mentally fit.
“There should be a balance between silent or slow practices and loud or physically demanding practices to find a central line where you can find yourself in a better way,” says Gowri Murthy, a certified yoga trainer and practitioner based in Bengaluru.
“Your body benefits from whatever strenuous exercise you perform. However, it is also crucial to always pay attention to what your mind tells you. Quiet workouts like yoga are unique because we always conclude with a Shavasana, or meditation, which finally helps you to become calm. It is crucial to slow down and take some time for yourself even after working out vigorously and loudly,” adds Murthy.
Connecting with oneself
Quiet exercises provide an enclosed space where you can sit alone and perform gentle movements. These gentle exercises, done quietly, allow you to gain a deeper understanding of many aspects of your life you may not have known.
“We may not be aware of the trauma that our bodies hold, but quiet workouts can help release much of it,” says Murthy.
“All the suppressed pain, worries and emotions that come to the surface during quiet workouts [especially while meditating] is the reason why some people laugh out loud, others sob and eventually everyone reaches a state of eternal peace — which is the true nature of mankind,” explains Suman.
Meditative aspect of quiet workouts
By providing a serene environment that fosters mental clarity and allows practitioners to focus on their movements and achieve a state of mindfulness, quiet workouts lead you to a meditative zone.
“Meditation is not about concentrating; it is about letting go of focus. It is reaching a state where you feel something beyond your thoughts is watching your mind. After meditation, people find stability within themselves and start observing situations without getting directly involved,” explains Suman.
“For example, when they feel angry, they do not become one with the anger but instead watch it from a distance, like a third person. This helps them handle anger without affecting their physical well-being,” adds Suman.
Takeaways
- While engaging in physically demanding activities is necessary to meet your physical fitness goals, it might not be enough to maintain mental well-being.
- With quiet workouts, you can achieve greater mental clarity and let go of all the pent-up emotions.
- Quiet workouts have a meditative effect because they create a calm setting that enables people to concentrate on what they do and reach a level of mindfulness.
