On Yoga Day, Bollywood celebrities reveal how yoga makes them stronger

Yoga can be a transformative experience for body, mind and spirit. This age-old practice is increasingly being adopted by celebrities and the common man to bring a sense of calm and balance into their lives. On International Yoga Day, a slew of Indian entertainment celebrities who swear by this wellness practice shared how yoga empowers them and motivated others to introduce the power of yoga into their lives.

From Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Malaika Arora and Sameera Reddy to Masaba Gupta, Patralekhaa and Rakul Preet Singh – celebrities praised yoga for changing their lives in multiple ways.

Shilpa Shetty Kundra: “Make every breath count”

In a special post on International Yoga Day, Shilpa Shetty Kundra, one of Bollywood’s earliest proponents of yoga, highlighted how yoga helps people gain self-control.

“When I practice yoga, I have control over my mind,” she said in a video message, accompanied by a message that read: “Every emotion is connected to the breath. If you consciously change the breathing and its rhythm, you can change the emotion. This yoga day, let’s make every breath count.”

Malaika Arora: “I don’t know where I would be without yoga”

Actor-performer Malaika Arora, who also co-owns a yoga chain, reflected on the profound impact yoga has had in her life. “Dear Yoga, I don’t know if I tell you this enough… But if it wasn’t for you… I don’t know where I would be today,” Malaika wrote in a “gratitude post” on Instagram on the occasion of Yoga Day.

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Masaba Gupta: “Yoga keeps me balanced, calm and happy”

Fashion designer and actor Masaba Gupta, who is expecting her first child, also wished everyone a happy International Yoga Day. Masaba, who has undergone a fitness transformation over the years, highlighted the impact of prenatal yoga on her life these days.

“Prenatal yoga was mainly about unlearning and letting go of old expectations of my body. Learning to slow down, no big goals except to keep me and the little life growing inside me balanced, calm and happy. And it was much more challenging than performing my ‘kakasana’ because every day is different. I need to listen to my body instead of telling it what to do, as I have been doing for many years. The way is gentle and attentive. Lots of breathwork, brahmari and deep shavasanas,” the mom-to-be wrote.

Kubbra Sait: “Yoga has transformed me from within”

For Sacred Games actor Kubbra Sait, yoga is discipline. “Yoga has transformed me from the inside out. The only form of discipline I received, whether traveling for the Foundation in Ireland or recovering from an elbow injury, made me go ‘urrrrghhhhhhhhh’. There have been hours in recent years that I have trained at home, in the studio, on the beach. I have had the opportunity to learn and absorb many different small exercises and tools from my teachers and guides to gradually improve my development… Nowadays I appreciate yoga the most because it has given me a physical sense of balance,” said Kubbra, while exhorting people not to forget to do Pranayama for peace and tranquility in life.

Sameera Reddy: “Start yoga at any age and stage”

On Yoga Day, actor Sameera Reddy emphasized the importance of introducing children to yoga at a young age. “Start them young! Yoga at every age and stage… Forever grateful for the balance it gives us. I am humbled by my practice and will continue to grow, heal and learn,” Sameera wrote.

Rakul Preet Singh: “Yoga is a state of bliss”

Newly married actor Rakul Preet Singh, who practices yoga religiously, joined forces with husband Jackky Bhagnani to show the power of couple yoga! “Together in wellness and all the beauty. Happy International Day of Yoga to you lovely people. #FitTogetherStayTogether,” she wrote.

In a motivational message to her fans and followers, Rakul added, “Yoga is a state of mind, a state of bliss, a feeling of being one with yourself and the universe. Take small steps towards a healthier you!”

Alaya F: “Yoga brings me strength, peace and focus”

Alaya F says yoga has become an integral part of her life. “I am so grateful for all the strength, peace and focus it brings me! Whether I’m on holiday, on set or at home, every day is Yoga Day for me!”

Lakshmi Manchu: “Yoga helps me build deeper connections”

Actor-producer Lakshmi Manchu says yoga has been an incredible healing journey for her: “Through every breath and pose, I have found a deeper connection with myself and the world around me. It is a practice that has brought tremendous peace, strength and clarity, allowing me to navigate life’s challenges with grace and resilience. May this World Yoga Day inspire you to embrace the transformative power of yoga and discover new dimensions of inner peace, joy and well-being,” she said.

Bollywood stars urge people to take up yoga

Actors like Neha Dhupia, Soha Ali Khan and Esha Deol also sent out a message to spread the importance of yoga.

“Practice your practice every day… It’s never too early to start or too late to stop,” Neha urged, while Esha admits that she is always happy and peaceful after a yoga errand. Patralekhaa says she likes yoga because it “centers me.”

Soha sent a quirky message and wrote: “Do yoga because hitting people is against the law!”