Here’s some inspiration from Bollywood for International Yoga Day

On International Yoga Day, here’s looking at Bollywood celebrities who swear by different forms of yoga and its health benefits.

On International Yoga Day, here’s looking at Bollywood celebrities who swear by different forms of yoga and its health benefits.

Actor Shilpa Shetty says she started doing yoga to cure spondylitis problem but took it up regularly.(REUTERS)

Shilpa Shetty Kundra

“I took up yoga many years ago due to my spondylitis. At that time, it was just another treatment along with physiotherapy. But then I realised that instead of carrying weights, yoga is something that I can do by just balancing my own body weight. It made me feel better than other forms of exercises and made me happier,” says actor Shilpa Shetty Kundra.

Sushmita Sen

“When you think of any other form of exercise, it is about doing something good with your body. Yoga is about witnessing what happens inside you as opposed to what is happening outside. So, in that capacity, it’s a way of life that allows you to discipline your mind. You will find that people who are not size zero or skinny have great flexibility through yoga. I have the highest regard for it and I call it my form of meditation. I have an understanding of who I am because of it,” says actor Sushmita Sen.

Read: International Yoga Day: This asana is a Hindutva pose

Nargis Fakhri

Actor Nargis Fakhri during a Pilates session. (Instagram)

“I love to dance so whenever I get free time, I play my favourite songs. I believe in yoga and it helps me maintain my body without getting into any charted regime,” says actor Nargis Fakhri.

Sidharth Malhotra

Actor Sidharth Malhotra recently took up yoga and practices it religiously. (Instagram)

Actor Sidharth Malhotra is the latest entrant to join the yoga club. He is learning Ashtanga Yoga under Suveer Bali who also trains Akshay Kumar and his wife Twinkle Khanna. “Yoga is a complete workout for the mind, body and soul, which also helps me to tackle modern-day stresses,” he has been quoted as saying.

Parineeti Chopra

Parineeti Chopra in her new svelte frame.

The actor, who has lost oodles of weight, is not a fan of hitting the gym and has found alternatives to staying fit. She took up Kalaripayattu – a martial arts form and incorporated yoga in her exercise schedule. “It may not make you lose weight as fast but it promises greater flexibility. Earlier, I only wanted to be thin but over the last nine months since I started this strenuous form of yoga, I’ve begun to feel fit and strong,” she was quoted as saying.

Read: Sonam Kapoor’s new fitness obsession is aerial yoga