On World Yoga Day, actress Mridula Oberoi opens up about a difficult period in her life and how yoga became an unexpected source of healing. The actress, known for shows such as Jhanak, Kumkum Bhagya, Naagin 6, Bhagya Lakshmi and Appnapan, reveals that her most significant transformation happened away from the spotlight, as she learned to navigate depression and reconnect with herself through the practice.
A Challenging Phase
Oberoi describes 2024-2025 as one of the most challenging phases of her life. “I tried everything I could think of, including counselling, medical help, conversations and distractions, searching for a way to feel like myself again. The weight of depression was something I never imagined I would have to navigate so deeply,” she says.
Yoga as a Source of Strength
That was when yoga entered her life. What started as a simple practice gradually became a source of strength and comfort. “Yoga didn’t magically erase my struggles, but it taught me how to sit with them, breathe through them and heal from within. It helped me reconnect with my body, quiet my mind and find strength I didn’t know I had,” she shares.
Healing from Within
Today, the actress sees yoga as much more than a fitness routine and believes its biggest lesson lies in helping people reconnect with themselves during difficult times. “Healing isn’t about becoming someone new; it’s about finding your way back to yourself. Healing may not happen overnight, but keep showing up for yourself. Sometimes the answer arrives in the most unexpected way. For me, it arrived on a yoga mat,” she says.
Consistency Amid Busy Schedules
Even on days packed with 12-hour shoots, she makes time for her practice. “If I am having a busy day, it cannot take away my quick 10 minutes of getting aligned before stepping out for work. Just a Surya Namaskar and a little bit of stretching, and I feel I am ready to face the world and be on set,” she explains.
Redefining Fitness
For Mridula, yoga also changed her understanding of fitness. “Yoga is not just about how fit, flexible, or toned you look on the outside. It’s about how strong, balanced and aligned you become within. It’s about building resilience when life tests you, finding calm amidst chaos and creating harmony between your mind, body and soul,” she shares.
She adds, “True strength isn’t just in holding a pose. It’s in holding yourself together during life’s most challenging moments. The transformation begins from within, and that’s where the real magic lies.”
