On the 12th International Yoga Day, actor and wellness advocate Shilpa Shetty reiterated the concept of fitness, inspiring more people to make yoga a part of their lifestyle. Highlighting the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of yoga, Shetty told ANI, “I want as many people as possible to adopt yoga. Not only as science and exercise, but as a lifestyle. I think I have made it. I just feel that one can understand the benefits of yoga once they start doing it. More than physical fitness, I give more importance to mental fitness. So yoga just keeps you so balanced and so focused. And you will feel very positive as well when you take up yoga.”
Consistency and Discipline in Yoga Practice
Addressing the significance of yoga practice, Shetty focused on consistency and discipline. She emphasized that without these two, no one can achieve anything in life. According to her, if one practices yoga just for fashion, as it has become a trendsetting activity, they need to continue with consistency. She urged making it a lifestyle, respecting the philosophy that lies within it.
On the occasion of Yoga Day, Shetty visited an event in Gurugram where she conducted a special yoga session as part of the International Yoga Day celebration.
Shilpa Shetty’s Yoga Advocacy at 51
The fitness enthusiast prominently shares her Monday motivation reels, revealing glimpses from her rigorous yoga sessions. At 51, Shilpa Shetty has redefined yoga in the era of gym. She continues to inspire and motivate her fans through her disciplined workout routines.
Shetty advocates several yoga postures, including Naukasana, Vartulasana, Rajahamshana, Vakra Hanumanasana, and Parsva Bhuja Dandasana.
Naukasana (Boat Pose)
In one of her Instagram posts, Shetty was captured practicing Naukasana, which she captioned as “V sit for victory” and highlighted its significance. Naukasana is a core-strengthening pose that tones the abdominal muscle, improves digestion, and strengthens the spine. The posture is commonly practiced in Hatha Yoga and is also part of the Padma Sadhana sequence, usually performed after Dhanurasana. Deriving from the Sanskrit word “nauka,” meaning boat, the body takes the shape of a boat when performed correctly. Shetty drew all the benefits in her caption, including increasing focus on body awareness and resilience against injuries.
Vartulasana (Twisted Pose)
In another video, Shetty practiced Vartulasana, a slightly advanced yoga pose focusing on flexibility, balance, and core strength. She moved smoothly while maintaining good control and stability. She underlined its benefits, mentioning it stimulates the thyroid gland, improving metabolism, strengthens the spine by increasing flexibility, enhances digestion, and promotes better blood circulation. The posture also engages the shoulder blades and strengthens the upper back, making it effective for improving posture and building stability.
Rajahamshana (Royal Swan Pose)
The name Rajahamshana suggests the presence of a royal swan. In this pose, one balances the body on one leg while the other leg is bent and lifted, with the torso leaning forward and arms helping maintain the bind and balance. The name symbolizes purity, wisdom, and the soul’s journey towards liberation. Shetty performed it effortlessly and captioned its benefits: it improves balance and stability by requiring focus and control on one standing leg, enhances hip and hamstring flexibility, especially in the lifted leg, and strengthens the core, legs, and ankles.
Vakra Hanumanasana (Twisted Hanuman Pose)
In Sanskrit, “Vakra” means “twisted” or “curved,” and “Hanumanasana” follows the Hindu deity Hanuman. In another Monday motivation video, Shetty performed Vakra Hanumanasana, a posture tough for beginners. This asana deeply stretches the hip flexors, quadriceps, hamstrings, and groin, improves spinal mobility through the twisting movement, strengthens the legs, core, and lower back, and enhances balance, posture, and coordination. It helps increase flexibility in the pelvis and lower body.
Parsva Bhuja Dandasana (Side Arm Staff Pose)
Parsva Bhuja Dandasana is a playful and intermediate arm-balancing pose. It strengthens arms, shoulders, and core and provides a releasing twist in the lower back. Shetty performed this asana, moving her body in perfect posture twice in a reel she shared on Instagram. The asana strengthens the arms, shoulders, wrists, and chest, builds core stability and abdominal strength, improves balance, coordination, and body control, enhances concentration and mental focus, and increases awareness of body alignment and weight distribution.
