Always for sport
Active lifestyle influencer, traveller, sports fan and founder of Healthy Woman Community, Amina Karimova shares her experience with getting active, its influence on mental health and her favourite outdoor spots in Tashkent and beyond.
There are many reasons to enjoy sports and an active lifestyle. But what role does physical activity play in overall wellbeing? Modern science and medicine now understand that doing any kind of physical activity can have positive effects on overall health. When we exercise, our body releases feel-good hormones called endorphins, which are responsible for triggering the brain receptors that increase positive feelings and reduce pain.
In childhood, I was hyperactive with endless energy. As I grew up, I realised I needed to channel that energy in the right direction. I began actively practising all sorts of sports: stretching, physical therapy, boxing, anti-gravity, cycling, yoga and swimming. Thus, I came to the understanding that sports fill me with motivation and positively impact my mental health and my achievements at work.
Developing my social media and personal brand, I actively promote sports and try to motivate my followers to a healthy lifestyle. Below are a few of my favourite places to get active around Tashkent and further afield.
BeFit Pro
One of the staple places that I go to is the BeFit Pro sports complex, which offers seemingly unlimited opportunities. There, I’ve been able to try new sports, such as cycling, Muay Thai (Thai boxing), dancing and zero-gravity sports, and find my favourites.
Ecopark
When it’s not possible to head out to the countryside, Ecopark is an excellent alternative to the mountains, where you can breathe fresh air and practise almost any kind of sport. Ecopark became one of my favourite places during the COVID-19 lockdowns and still remains a great spot for walks and playing sports in Tashkent.
It has everything for a pleasant time outside or with loved ones: there are running and cycling paths, an observation deck, children's play areas, football fields, badminton and volleyball courts, and other activity zones. The park has a pleasant atmosphere thanks to the fountains and lakes that are spread around the grounds.
Yunusabad Tennis Courts
It was at Yunusabad Tennis Courts, which have a beautiful view of the Tashkent TV Tower, that I was inspired to create the Healthy Women Community. It’s widely accepted that it is important to lead a healthy lifestyle – exercising regularly and eating healthy, nutritious food. However, we often forget to add taking care of the brain to this list. We are surrounded by negative news, and sometimes our brains need ‘stretching’ as much as our bodies do after sedentary work. Every Sunday we gather a group of women on the open-air courts and instil a love of stretching and sports in general. After all, what could be more beautiful than a combination of sports, a pleasant atmosphere, fresh air, beautiful nature, a Tashkent TV tower and friendly female company. Stretching is a simple and effective way to maintain and improve physical and mental health.
Amirsoy Mountain Resort
Outside of the city, I like to visit Amirsoy, a resort located in the mountains east of Tashkent. This is a great place to come with family or friends, especially in winter, when you can go skiing or snowboarding, and then relax in a warm and cosy chalet. At first, I found it difficult to learn to snowboard and fell down many times, but the instructors at Amirsoy were very helpful and I made it! Plus, in winter, there is a special atmosphere in Amirsoy, which you need to see with your own eyes.
