While a lot of parents make a point of dropping their kids off at soccer or swimming or gymnastics, Ira Zunin, a physician who also holds an advanced degree in public health and an M.B.A., makes a point of exercising right along with his 10-year-old son, Brandon.

Why exercise apart when you can exercise together?

The father and son are committed to trying everything together to see what works for both of them.

"I followed his interests and supported them and ended up participating with him," Zunin explained. And it works both ways.

Brandon wanted to try pingpong so Dad, who had never picked up a pingpong paddle in his life, tried it, too. It took for both of them. Golf outings began as: "Hey, Dad, you play and I'll drive the cart." Now golf is a regular shared sport, with father and son enjoying the cart ride, the great outdoors, and even hitting that frustrating little ball. Brandon loves paintball, so now Dad gets down and dirty with him.

Zunin is a passionate waterman, and Brandon enjoys every water sport they do together: body surfing, swimming, kayaking, boating, fishing, snorkeling and diving.

LIFETIME COMMITMENT

Zunin does not isolate fitness from anything else in his life. Like his integrative medical practice (see box), he views his body, and his life, as a whole. He seeks fitness that contributes to lifelong health.

"A benefit is that it gives us the ability to respect our own capacity and to listen to the messages our bodies are giving us," he said.

Zunin believes that flexibility is the most frequently neglected element of fitness. He said a balanced fitness routine is equal parts cardio, strength training and flexibility.

Zunin has been committed to fitness since he was Brandon's age, 10, when he began running regularly.

When he was 15, Zunin met Grand Master Hee Il Cho, an internationally renowned tae kwon do teacher. He was immediately taken with the martial art and studied until receiving his brown belt. Zunin was astounded to find, 26 years later, that Hee Il Cho has a Hawai'i Kai dojo, just a mile from his home. He took up the martial art again and now he has his black belt (the highest level of achievement) and often assists his teacher. Brandon has achieved a brown belt and practices with his dad at home.

A trip to India and Nepal at age 17 introduced Zunin to Iyengar yoga. More than 30 years later, he still makes yoga a part of his daily life. Zunin believes that yoga is often misunderstood. "You don't have to be flexible to start yoga. Almost anyone can start yoga." He asserts that "the stretch is not just a prelude to a fitness activity — it is the fitness activity and needs to be given the proper attention. No matter how stiff you are, we all have an edge. It's about coming to that edge and taking oneself just a little further."

For him, yoga and martial arts have provided a path to greater flexibility.

Brandon also has taken great interest in these Eastern forms of exercise. He has a brown belt in tae kwon do and practices yoga regularly. "It's become a part of him," Zunin said.

Brandon's next fitness goal is to run the Honolulu Marathon in December. Guess Dad will have to go back to his fitness roots and lace up those running shoes again.

Reach Paula Rath at paularath@aol.com.