Walking is one of the most fundamental yet miraculous activities of human life—a marvel we often take for granted until it is compromised. For me, it became the lens through which I began to understand not only my body but also the intricate dance of life itself. My book, ‘Anyone Who Can Walk Is My Fitness Hero,’ is both a personal journey and an exploration of the science, art, and wonder of walking. In this book, I delve into the Marvel of Walking—a simple act that encapsulates the beauty of balance, strength, and mobility. I discuss The Miracle of Movement, showcasing how physics, mathematics, biology, and chemistry converge to make each step possible. Walking is not just a physical act but a symphony of processes, with the neurons dancing in perfect harmony and the body’s delicate chemistry at play to ensure mobility. My personal journey began with a seemingly minor niggle that evolved into a challenge—gait disturbances, discomfort in the lumbar region, and ultimately a diagnosis of non-compressive myelopathy. Navigating the complexities of my condition was like unravelling the paradox of Schrödinger’s cat—a diagnosis that was both reassuring and uncertain. At one point, I prepared myself for surgery, only for the surgeon to rule it out, much like a doosra in cricket, leaving me pleasantly surprised and inwardly happy as who would want the risk of surgery in a sensitive region like the spine. What followed was a journey of resilience and adaptation. Through physiotherapy, the use of mobility aids, and the transformative practice of Kumbhak therapy, I le... See more
Walking is one of the most fundamental yet miraculous activities of human life—a marvel we often take for granted until it is compromised. For me, it became the lens through which I began to understand not only my body but also the intricate dance of life itself. My book, ‘Anyone Who Can Walk Is My Fitness Hero,’ is both a personal journey and an exploration of the science, art, and wonder of walking. In this book, I delve into the Marvel of Walking—a simple act that encapsulates the beauty of balance, strength, and mobility. I discuss The Miracle of Movement, showcasing how physics, mathematics, biology, and chemistry converge to make each step possible. Walking is not just a physical act but a symphony of processes, with the neurons dancing in perfect harmony and the body’s delicate chemistry at play to ensure mobility. My personal journey began with a seemingly minor niggle that evolved into a challenge—gait disturbances, discomfort in the lumbar region, and ultimately a diagnosis of non-compressive myelopathy. Navigating the complexities of my condition was like unravelling the paradox of Schrödinger’s cat—a diagnosis that was both reassuring and uncertain. At one point, I prepared myself for surgery, only for the surgeon to rule it out, much like a doosra in cricket, leaving me pleasantly surprised and inwardly happy as who would want the risk of surgery in a sensitive region like the spine. What followed was a journey of resilience and adaptation. Through physiotherapy, the use of mobility aids, and the transformative practice of Kumbhak therapy, I learned to stay mobile and embrace life in new ways. I found joy in travel, self-discovery, and creative outlets like writing and learning new things, all of which helped me reduce stress and appreciate life’s simplicity within its seemingly complex working. Now, as a senior citizen in my seventies, I have come to admire and celebrate the ability to walk as a profound gift.
