Fit like a soldier? Think again, look east

(AFP PHOTO/HO/Sterling Hospitals)

The military in India and the United States made headlines for their alternative use of bhut jolokia, hot peppers, and yoga respectively. On April 29 both countries have also shared two innovative eastern methods both are researching independently to build mentally strong soldiers.

If you want to be fit like a modern soldier, you have to get your mind right with eastern practices. India's Defense Research Development Organization (DRDO) are running tests in an attempt to understand how a man aged 82, Prahlad Jani, has been able to sustain himself for the past 70 years on breath alone to develop enhanced survival techniques.

Dr G Ilavazhagan, director of the Defense Institute of Physiology & Allied Sciences, told the Telegraph, "if [Prahlad Jani's] claims are verified, it will be a breakthrough in medical science" and "we will be able to help save human lives during natural disasters, high altitude, sea journeys and other natural and human extremities. We can educate people about the survival techniques in adverse conditions with little food and water or nothing at all."

If Jani has not eaten or drank anything in 70 years, then there is even more reason to start practicing pranayma (contolled breathing) daily. Here is an instructional clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7WFq17NxWA

The US Army announced changes in their bootcamp fitness for the first time in 30 years in mid-March that replaced grueling drills and never-ending push-ups with yoga and core strengthening workouts. Good news, maybe the crazy 5am mock bootcamp fitness class trend is over.

The US Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) director of Defense Research & Engineering began soliciting small businesses for innovative research proposals to help boost "Cognitive Readiness Technology" in an effort to make soldiers as mentally fit as physically strong.

Various branches of the military have also been using eastern therapies like acupuncture to help troops manage post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If they could only find away to improve the food, like incorporate quinoa into MREs.

To view the OSD's proposal go to: http://www.dodsbir.net/solicitation/sbir102/OSD102.htm