A Sound Body in a Sound Mind – Beat the Obesity Epidemic

The Asics tennis shoe company has a philosophy unlike any other footwear manufacturer. The word “Asics” is the acronym derived from the Latin phrase “Anima Sana In Corpore Sano” which translates into “a sound mind in a sound body.” The phrase is much more than a famous quote but words to live by.

The phrase was actually coined by the Greek philosopher Thales in an effort to show the connection between physical exercise, mental health and a happy life.

Nowadays there is a huge push for healthy living in the United States being that roughly two-thirds of the population are overweight or obese. Research proves that depression rates among obese people are much higher than those with a healthy body weight.

There are many programs which aim to fix America`s obesity epidemic; First Lady Michelle Obama`s “Let`s Move!” campaign targets unhealthy children and “Shape Up America” aims to raise awareness of the risks associated with obesity.

We not only see healthy living programs but even laws passed on both the state and federal level which aim to combat obesity. California was the first state in the nation to pass a law which required restaurant chains with 20 locations or more to list the calories of each meal on their menus.

Television shows like NBC`s The Biggest Loser and A&E`s Heavy gain top ratings by focusing solely on weight.

The infamous documentary film Super Size Me by Morgan Spurlock follows Spurlock over a 30- day period in which he ate only McDonalds. Not only did the McDonalds diet cause an overwhelming weight gain but had negative impacts on both his physical and psychological health. The film demonstrated the connection between physical and mental health as does the quote “Anima Sana In Corpore Sano.”

The popular discipline, Yoga, which originated in ancient India, also exemplifies the phrase in that Yoga, among other things, aims to achieve physical, mental and spiritual health. Rather than being termed as an exercise, Yoga is a philosophy.

There were approximately 20 million followers of Yoga in the United States as of January 2012 and in the United States, the most common form is Hatha Yoga which focuses on postures as a form of exercise. Yoga has also been found to aid in stress reduction, anxiety control, depression, pain and much more.

As we can see, “Anima Sana In Corpore Sano” is much more than a few words but a way of life for many people. The connection between the body and the mind is a strong one and the Asics company understands that bond which is why they have made the acronym their company name.

Asics tennis shoes seem to be much more than a product but a mindset. Tennis shoes which aid in physical activity promote an active lifestyle; in turn encouraging a sound mind.

People who underestimate the power of the connection between the mind and body may not be completely satisfied. The health of both the body and soul, according to “Anima Sana In Corpore Sano,” leads to a fulfilled life full of joy; a concept that might be lost on many people, especially in the US in which experts are calling the high rate of overweight citizens an “obesity epidemic.”