Dr. Ravindra Savadi is
currently the President of
the Indian Prosthodontic
Society. He completed
his MDS from GDC
Bangalore in 1994
and was teaching till
2013 when he took a
sabbatical from teaching
to focus on his private
practice. He has been
the Past president of IDA
Bangalore branch in
2003 and IDA Karnataka
state branch in 2006. He
has been past editor-in-chief
of the Journal of
Indian Prosthodontics
Society from 2008-2012.
He has been the foundersecretary
of the Indian
Board of Prosthodontics
from 2012-2018.
Since his sabbatical
from college in 2013, his
favourite hobby has been
pursuing health related
activities.
So we all are aware of this.
And
what’s the purpose of my little text?
This article is being written to
discuss about the importance
of sports in a doctor’s life in fact
anyone’s life. A sport can be any
sport. It can be a sitting game of
chess or it can be a long distance
marathon or the ever popular cricket
or badminton or just about any
sport. As long as it’s a sport...
Let’s discuss what are the benefits of
a sport in one’s life ...
Let me start by saying that I’ve never
been a sportsperson of any kind of
acclaim. In fact, I’ve been far from
it. From my childhood days, if I can
credit myself for anything, it can be
due to me playing nearly all sports
with a fair level of competence, like
a jack of all and master of none. I’ve
also learnt all the rules of the game.
What ever it may have been.
Whatever sports I played was
maximum during my school days.
Reduced during the 11th and
stopped during 12th and during BDS
and MDS. I played a odd game of
cricket or shuttle. Too far and too few
in between. Started working. Learnt
and played snooker at a local club. I
also used to walk now and then.
My involvement in sports was
strictly while watching matches on
tv. I watched and followed a good
number of sports in my free time.
I was under the impression that
since I was playing earlier, I had
the sports mentality. I couldn’t have
been away from the truth.
Now, I’ve narrated my experience
for so long and may be bored you.
But I’m sure that this is how a large
percent of us have been going on
with our lives.
About 5 years ago, I got a opportunity to start
a new game. I started playing golf. And I
bumped into a very lovely and lively group, all
new friends, non dentists and have continued
playing with different people.
May be I didn’t realise in the first 3-4 years, but
off late, as my game is getting better and I am
forced to focus more on the game, I am finding
a lot of changes within myself.
I will put down the perceived changes as below.
The list is not numbered as 1,2, 3 etc. In my
opinion, all of them are number 1. They just
can’t be written together.
Temperament : playing a game consistently
requires a sound temperament. One can’t be
overly aggressive or submissive. A balance
needs to found. There are rare people like our
master blaster Sachin who could maintain
aggression right through a innings and through
his entire career. That’s why he’s called a
genius. I would also like to recall the name of
Vinod Kambli who promised a lot during his
earlier days but couldn’t deliver ... again a issue
of temperament ? When we are at work, there
are so many issues which keep cropping up.
Playing a game over a period of time, tunes
to mind to take things as it comes and not get
perturbed. Optimal performance happens only
when the mind is calm and balanced.
Mental attitude : we start work early in the
morning. Like a true tennis player, we need to
wait for the next ball to be hit by the opponent.
We cannot focus on a ball which hasn’t even
been hit. It’s very correct that a game plan is
required. No doubt. But the game plan should
be to take the next shot and play it well.
There’s just no point in planning for the next 3
patients when we are working on the current
case. It only increase our stress levels. A sport
will help us live in the moment.
Sports teaches us to focus on our strength and
abilities.
Team spirit : individual capacity and ability to
perform by oneself is no doubt very important.
But one person can’t do everything. It may be in
a college surroundings or a private clinic.Inculcates a “ don’t ever give up “ attitude. And
also the thought of every step is important. Each
ball has to be played properly. The batsman
will never get another chance in that particular
game, if he plays in a carefree manner. In a
round of golf, each stroke and each putt is
important. That single stroke is worth millions
of dollars in the PGA circuit. The same is
automatically applied in our work.
The concept of no second chance, do your best
now will automatically come. When we do that
little procedure, whatever it may be, put in the
full mind and body into that procedure. Don’t
think that it can be corrected later on.
Stress will be channelised fruitfully to optimise
performance. Positive attitude to most situations
is developed
FairPlay ... though winning is important, losing
is not a disgrace. Sport teaches one to be
generous in both victory and defeat. Since
one does lose now and then, respect for the
vanquished develops.
Flexibility of the mind in various aspects is self
taught in a regular sportsman. Flexibility is not
of the body alone. Flexibility and adaptability of
the mind is of mega importance.
A sport teaches a person to win and lose.
Victory and defeat are just a part of a day. We
win one day and lose another. Just because we
lose, or fail,it just doesn’t mean that we should
give up.
Summing it up, a healthy mind leads to a
healthy body. And a healthy body will lead to a
healthy mind. Works both ways.
One can’t change ones body. But a mind can be
changed. If there’s any single important thing in
the world, it’s health.
If health is lost, everything is lost. If health is
good, the world is not enough ....
If you are convinced about my article, then go
out and start playing ... if you are not convinced,
then you should go out and start playing !!! You
will definitely get convinced.
Dr. Ravindra Savadi