For over two decades, Shilpa Shetty Kundra has been a passionate advocate of yoga and long before wellness became a social media trend, she championed yoga as a practice that nurtures both physical and mental well-being. With International Day of Yoga coming up tomorrow, Shilpa reflects on why she believes the ancient Indian practice is more relevant than ever in today’s fast-paced world.‘It is important for people to believe in the science of yoga’At a time when yoga often finds itself packaged into Instagram reels, viral challenges and trending hashtags, Shilpa says, “People are jumping on to the trend wagon, but the ones who are just doing it for the fad, if they continue for a longer period, will see the benefits and become a fan. Whatever be the reason, just take it up. Especially for the younger generation — where anxiety has become such a commonly used term and social pressures are constantly increasing — if there is something that can genuinely make them stronger and more confident, it is yoga. While Westerners are literally making it their own, it belongs to our country. The origin is India and I can’t feel prouder as an Indian than to claim it and avail of its benefits.”
Shilpa Shetty Kundra doing yoga
‘I started yoga because the doctor had prescribed it’Shilpa shares, “When I started doing yoga, it was because the doctor had prescribed it. I had to strengthen my spine and my neck because I was struggling with spondylosis. Today, it has become my lifestyle.”‘Yoga has changed my outlook’Ask Shilpa what aspect of yoga has helped her the most during the toughest phases of her life and she says, “Through my own experiences, I’ve learnt to take some time for myself, align my breath and centre myself. It has changed my outlook, my reactions and my perspective on things. My quest to live in the present moment is constant, and yoga helps me do that.”One advice to others, she says, is to start pranayama. “I can’t emphasise that enough. I know you’re already breathing, but please become aware of your breath,” she shares.‘I haven’t given up on my worldly pleasures’Yoga isn’t about giving up on world pleasures, she says. “I am a yogini — a self-confessed yogini,” she laughs and adds, “I haven’t given up on my worldly pleasures. I enjoy my life. What yoga has taught me is balance. That’s what life is about—being able to maintain balance and not getting carried away. I love travelling and I enjoy life, but when I sit on that mat, I like to keep it simple.”
Shilpa Shetty Kundra calls herself a yogini
First asana you learnt?BhujangasanaThe most difficult asana?I still need my yoga teacher around while doing the Vrishchikasana.The one asana your kids do?Samisha has learnt to do the Surya Namaskar and she even knows the mantras.One tip for the Gen Zs?Never bend your neck too low while using your phones as it damages your spine.
