Tennis is not just a game for life yet a game about life. When I was recently reading the ADDvantage March issue that United States Professional Tennis Association was promoting preventative health benefits of exercise on Capitol Hill it resonated. My first exposure to playing tennis was to see my father who was tirelessly writing Medicare legislation working for the Congressional Research Service from the Library of Congress. My dad was my first teacher and founder of the Capitol Hill Tennis Team. For a few years I was a player on this team.
Good health and wellness are interconnected. Health care is this world’s largest spiraling cost and America ’s future is dependent on wellness programs. Tennis provides regular physical activity that stimulates mental well being, fitness and wholesome play. Tennis a game for people of all types, ages and abilities and requires a tennis racket and ball. I have played tennis with 4 years olds to 90 year old enthusiasts. Also tennis is game where people of all colors, handicaps, shapes, and income levels can come together and share in this enjoyable recreation.
Tennis has always got me through some pretty bad situations. In 1989 when I was working as a Recycling Manager in Southampton , New York I had a van with 16 people hit me head on! Because of my training in tennis I was able to play five months after having my knees, ankle, serving shoulder, nose broken and severed tendons on my tennis hand. I truly learned more about tennis playing with my walking cast and other hand.
Tennis forced me to manage my own wellness care. Wellness is the greatest single investment I can make.
The Ancient Greeks where right about working on both a sound mind and body results in well being. Whether it is watching what I eat and eating plenty of fruits, vegetables and grains. I get plenty of sleep and stop drinking alcohol and use other stimulants to a minimum except sometimes dark chocolate. I take care of my skin wearing long sleeve sunscreen shirts and get regular skin exams. I brush my teeth and floss and get twice a year dental check ups and once a year physical. Everyday I try at least walk a half an hour and cross train with a variety of exercises and yard work. When driving, I fasten my safety belts and observe the speed limit. The key for me is mindfulness. I meditate everyday even if it is for several minutes. Keeping healthy is my intention and I pay attention to my wellness.
Championship tennis for me is about lifestyle philosophy of good diet, exercise, stress reduction and other skillful means. Skillful means is simply defined as what is of benefit. The game is about preventing injury and taking care of oneself to achieve one’s best. Tennis helps me integrate. It develops vitality through practicing sound techniques while strengthening greater self confidence. This game is about having the time of my life sharpening my agility and longevity with a focus on grace.
Tennis is a game about well being. I best teach when I concentrate on the learning process and to let go of outcome. I think there is a reason why the last two sentences in Rudyard Kipling’s poem, “If” is displayed overhead as players walk on Center Courte at Wimbledon ;
If you can dream- and not make dreams your master; If you can think-and not make thoughts your aim; If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same;
Since our mind and body are inseparable developing healthy habits for both are essential. Science proves this mind-body connection. There is link to cardiovascular illness, cancer and negative emotions as with other unwholesome mental states. Another thing I find is many of students hold their breath when the miss their shot. I call this anaerobic tennis. Just getting my students to breathe more like I do when I do my morning yoga greatly increases my energy flow.
Tennis has taught me to be calmer: lessening my stress and blood pressure. I use good humor as good medicine since the sprain of the brain and de’agony of de’feet are all aspects of not taking things too serious. I focus on mirth when I teach because suffering is highly overrated. When I relax my students also can. Having fun is my aim and it may lessen future strokes and heart attacks. Just a simple exercise of getting my students to quiet their minds and listen to their hearts does wonders.
Tennis is a game for life and about life. Let’s champion this game with wellness preventing illness. Disease is when we are not at ease. Relax! I teach to live, laugh and lob. Enjoy your tennis-for the health and wellness of it!
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