‘Happy to see people being more health concerned’

Nagaland Fitness Community raises 34k towards COVID relief fund

Kanili Kiho
Dimapur | June 17

The Nagaland Fitness Community completed a successful one-week live online workout session in aid of COVID-19 relief fund from June 7 to 13. Speaking to The Morung Express, certified fitness trainer Thejakhrietuo Kire said that the event received an amount of Rs 34 thousand, which will go to the COVID relief fund.

Expressing gratitude for all the support from the trainers, participants and donors, Kire said that he was especially moved to witness Karunyam Children’s Home, Chennai contributing towards the cause. “I deeply appreciate the proprietor for the efforts taken in encouraging the children to learn new things even while staying at home during these hard times. And most importantly, taking measures for their bright future,” he added.

Sixteen children from the children’s home had joined two of the sessions – Aerobics & Zumba by trainer Avisa Chase and Self-defense by The Combat Academy’s head coach Khriemelie Metha. He said that the children had further raised funds amongst themselves towards the cause, in turn contributing twice. Kire also acknowledged Kato Sumi for the technical support.

Speaking to The Morung Express, the seven trainers described the online workout session as a great experience and were particularly impressed by the positive feedback from the participants. They were happy to witness “more of our people being more health concerned.”

Certified Aerobics trainer, Avisa Chase said that his session turned out to be a fun workout. He also acknowledged the children’s home and informed that the children had requested for another session from him and The Combat Academy, which they might provide by this weekend.

For certified Yoga trainer, Orentsani Kikon, a lot of questions that were raised during her session were on menstruation and PCOD (Polycystic Ovarian Disease) among women. Her focus was on PCOD, back issues and on breathing exercise. She put across that fitness is not only about exercise. “Be disciplined in your lifestyle. You need to also focus on your diet. Eat healthy,” Kikon said.

Alemba Thongliu Tikhir, who holds a Taekwondo Black belt 1 Dan and is currently the State Taekwondo Referee taught the basics on Taekwondo. Despite some technical issues, Tikhir said that it was a “great first-time experience.”

Reiterating the importance of health and fitness, he encouraged all to maintain regular physical activities which promote both physical and mental fitness. He added that an extra session was given to women on self-defense at the end, where they responded positively.

45 minutes of your day for physical activity
Session on bodyweight workout with few hints of combat was given by MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fighter Mairidin Newmai from The Combat Academy, Dimapur. “I am happy and grateful that we, The Combat Academy were able to play a small role in contributing towards the society. The clients were very responsive and engaging, and overall we had good fun and good time together,” he added.

“A healthy mind and healthy body will keep you safe and sound, especially in hard times like this. So I would urge everyone to work on your fitness and try to spread some positivity,” Newmai put across.

As a newcomer to the field, Wokali Zhimomi from Chisel & Beats said that the event was a great learning experience to have had the opportunity to collaborate with other trainers. As for the response, “We were really blessed that a handful of women showed up. I want to believe that everyone had a good time working with us,” she added. 

Certified personal trainer Vizobilie Victor Punyu, who trained on body workouts felt blessed to be a part of a cause greater than him. “Wherever you may be, I request everyone to exercise, so that we all can stay fit and happy together,” Punyu added.

While the workout session was supposed to be a six-day event, a ‘Sunday special session on self-defense’ was given on requests, by Khriemelie Metha, head coach of The Combat Academy.

Instead of looking at self-defense as a martial arts training per se, Metha said that it is a life tool, the same way someone should learn how to drive or how to swim. He held that that everyone should know basic self-defense in life.

On fitness being all the more paramount in today’s world, Metha conveyed, “The most important thing you need to do is put 45 minutes of your day into any form of physical activity. It can be as simple as walking, gardening or even household chores,” while adding that it does not have to be complicated.

Thejakhrietuo Kire who brought the fitness community together, said that these extraordinary times call for persistence and the will to continue working together as a people. “I trust that the generous contributions that we received will be a timely help for even a few COVID patients affected by the pandemic,” he added.