śarīra-ceṣṭā yā ceṣṭā sthairyārthā bala-vardhinī
śarīra-ceṣṭā yā ceṣṭā sthairyārthā bala-vardhinī |
deha-vyāyāma-saṁkhyātā mātrayā tāṁ samācaret ||
(Caraka-saṁhitā: 7.31)
“Movement of the body which is desirable, for the purpose of steadiness [alt. longevity], and increasing of strength is known as exercise of the body. Perform this in proper measure.”