16


SPORTS & FITNESS

Mountain Views-News Saturday, April 6, 2024 


Michele Silence, M.A. is a 37-year certified 
fitness 

professional who offers semi-private/virtual 
fitness classes. Contact Michele at 
michele@kid-fit.com. Visit her Facebook 

With HARVEY HYDE


ANCIENT FITNESS 
BEGINNINGS

In the rush of modern life, it’s easy to overlook the 
ancient roots of our daily exercise routines. Here’s 
a little history lesson on where a lot of our current 
day fitness activities came from.

Shaolin monks in China developed martial arts 
as a means of self-defense and physical conditioning. 
Shaolin Kung Fu incorporated dynamic 
movements, strength training exercises, and meditation 
to cultivate both physical and mental well-being. These 
traditions continue to influence modern martial arts 
and fitness practices.

Roman Baths weren’t just for bathing. Visitors 
could engage in activities like swimming, sauna 
bathing, and ball games, to promote physical health 
and social interaction. The baths often featured 
gymnasiums (palaestrae) equipped with exercise 
equipment and spaces for physical training where 
individuals could engage in wrestling, boxing, 
weightlifting, and ball games.

The ancient Maya civilization in Mesoamerica had a 
ballgame known as “Pitz” or “Ulama,” which served 
as both a sport and a religious ritual. Players would 
use their hips to propel a rubber ball through stone 
hoops set high on the walls of a ball court. The game required agility, strength, and endurance, making 
it a form of physical exercise for participants.

East Africans, particularly in Kenya and Tanzania, have a long tradition of physical fitness through 
warrior training - rigorous physical conditioning from a young age, which includes activities like 
running, jumping, and spear throwing. This training not only prepares them for hunting and defense 
but also instills discipline and camaraderie within the community.

In some regions and various time periods, the ancient Greeks took part in certain athletic 
competitions (such as the Olympic Games) nude. This was done as a way to showcase their physique 
and demonstrate their dedication to physical excellence. The practice was rooted in the cultural and 
religious significance of athletics in Greek society, where physical prowess and beauty were highly 
esteemed.

Sumo wrestling is a traditional Japanese sport with roots dating back centuries. It involves two 
wrestlers competing to force each other out of a circular ring or to touch the ground with any part of 
their body other than the soles of their feet. Sumo wrestlers undergo intense training and adhere to 
strict diets to build strength and size for competition. 

In ancient Egypt, physical fitness was intertwined with religious beliefs and daily life. Labor-
intensive activities like farming, construction, and quarrying provided opportunities for physical 
exertion. Additionally, sports and recreational activities such as swimming, archery, and wrestling 
were practiced. The Egyptian military also emphasized physical training to maintain strength and 
readiness for warfare.

Yoga has its roots in ancient India, where it originated as a spiritual practice thousands of years ago. 
But in the 19th Century, Indian club swinging became a popular form of exercise. Participants would 
swing clubs of varying weights and sizes in rhythmic patterns to improve strength, flexibility, and 
coordination. This practice originated in ancient Persia but gained widespread popularity during the 
colonial era.

Native American tribes across North and South America had a rich tradition of physical activities and 
games such as lacrosse, a traditional game associated with spiritual rituals that served as a means to 
strengthen social bonds and train warriors. Chunkey involved rolling a stone disc across a field while 
competitors threw spears to land as close as possible to its final position, often accompanied by music 
and feasting. Similarly, double ball, and stickball provided opportunities for physical exercise, friendly 
competition, and social interaction,

For medieval Europeans, physical fitness was often linked to chivalry, knighthood, and martial 
skillfulness. Knights and nobles had training regimens that included horseback riding, jousting, 
swordsmanship, and wrestling, preparing them for combat and tournaments. Feats of strength 
and agility were celebrated at events where contests of archery, running, and wrestling entertained 
spectators and display individual talent.

In the Polynesian islands of the Pacific, physical activity and sport were central to community life and 
cultural identity. Canoe racing involved paddlers navigating outrigger canoes through rough seas, 
requiring strength, coordination, and teamwork. Traditional dance forms, such as the hula in Hawaii 
and the Siva in Samoa, incorporated rhythmic movements and gestures that promoted physical fitness 
and expressed cultural heritage.

Throughout Viking-age Scandinavia, physical strength and endurance were highly valued attributes 
among warriors and seafarers. Vikings engaged in rowing longships, carrying heavy loads over long 
distances, and practicing combat techniques with weapons like axes, swords, and shields. Wrestling 
was a popular sport among Vikings, emphasizing grappling and throwing techniques to overpower 
opponents.

The above is a clear reminder that the pursuit of physical well-being is a timeless endeavor that 
transcends the boundaries of time and culture. If you had to select one option from the choices above, 
as the form of exercise most suited to you, which would it be? I consider myself eclectic.

MARCH MADNESS—WOMEN SHINE!

 

I’ve been around some great basketball programs for 
years. Pasadena City College—Jerry Tarkanian, State 
Championship; Cal State Long Beach – Jerry Tarkanian, 
March Madness almost every year. UNLV Jerry Tarkanian’s 
1990 National Championship. 

I was Head Football Coach at UNLV during many of those 
glory years with Jerry! Every one of those ten season was 
exciting… with 35 wins or more. Basketball was a big show! 
Teams were introduced with flashing lights and spot lights and big music!… one of the 
first to make a big production with their “Vegas Entrance.” 

But this year, the excitement for me was the Women’s portion of March Madness. 
Having two local teams make it to the Sweet 16, and one to the Elite 8 was unbelieveable. 
The focus of a new star at USC in JuJu Watkins (only as a freshman) has made Los 
Angeles aware of USC basketball. UCLA had a great year as well. So did the poor PAC-
12. In it’s final year-- Stanford, Oregon State, Arizona, Utah, Oregon, and Washington 
State all had great years.

With the excitement on the courts we could see that Women’s basketball has really 
grown. I do a weekly radio show related to Las Vegas sports, and one of my weekly 
segments features the UNLV women’s program.. They were 31 and 3 this year. The 
Lady Rebels were Mountain West Conference regular and tournament champions 
for the last three years! It is really wonderful to watch these women play. They are 
extremely athletic and they play with enthusiasm that is fun to watch. 

I see that others have discovered this as well. The college Women’s basketball 
tournament had higher television ratings that ever before, and for me it has been a 
long time since I watched a complete basketball game of any kind , NBA included. 
If you have not had a chance to watch them this weekend April 5, 6, 7. Wow.. Great 
matchups: South Carolina vs North Carolina State, and U-Conn vs Iowa. Three point 
shots, great defenses and fast games. (Actually by now you may already know who has 
won) The talent level of these women athletes… they can do it all! 

Women’s athletics has really become a big part of our household entertainment package 
as well. We love to watch girls/ladies/womens softball and volleyball (teams and pairs, 
indoors and on the beach) How about swimming and track and field, not to mention 
all the other sports… water polo, tennis, soccer—you name it. I probably forgot some. 
There is a great future for our Olympic teams beyond soccer with all the improvement 
of college women’s sports. Congratulations to all who dedicate themselves to be the 
best… Everyone trying to win. It’s not easy… Just a point or two, one mistake, and 
that’s it.

How long ago was Title IX? I guess it has made a bit of a difference. It took a while to 
get where womens’ athletics is seen and televised and is competitive. There are great 
scholarships and opportunities for all. Working hard, and having a dream… Anything 
is possible if you believe. 

My two daughters competed in sports as youngsters. They learned lessons there that 
can’t be taught anywhere else. I believe it’s good to learn to compete. We will compete 
for the rest of our lives in some way or another. 

This was a bit of a different take for this column, but I had to let you know what I saw 
and followed. Great sport. Do you agree?

Follow me at coachharvey hyde. etc.

Huddle up and Buckle up!


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com