New Delhi: India marks the 9th International Yoga Day with the theme 'Yoga for Vaudhav kutumbakam' which also represents as 'One Earth, One Family, One Future.' This theme emphasises the healthy being of every individual irrespective of any discrimination with the regular practice of Yoga. In today's world yoga offers a universally acceptable exercise routine which can be practiced by anyone. Yoga is also known to transform lives giving individuals a renewned energy and vigour. 


On the occasion of International Yoga Day, ABP Live spoke to celebrity Yoga expert Anshuka Parwani who shared her inspiring story about how entered her life, her experiences in training celebrities and many more.


Speaking of Anshuka, she is one of India's foremost celebrity yoga and holistic health instructors, who trains the cream of the Bollywood beauty brigade. Her personal life experience is an example to how yoga can strengthen a person physically, psychologically, and emotionally. She enjoys the serenity of yoga and is a firm believer of its magial healing powers.


Here are some excerpts from the interview:


How did your journey as a yoga trainer begin, and what inspired you to specialize in teaching yoga?


My journey of yoga began because I was recovering from a near-fatal accident, a motorbike accident that left me immobile. I lost my job as a commercial pilot. So, yoga helped me to stay sane and mentally strong. It came in my life as magic and that's what I have been doing then onwards.


How did you begin training celebrities?


I got to train Kareena Kapoor as my first student and never looked back after that. It was really rewarding, for her to love my classes and given the superstar that she is just helpd me. That's how it all started.


As a celebrity yoga trainer, what unique challenges and opportunities do you encounter while working with them? Can you also share some examples?


I mean, I feel like there is just flexible timings and the uniques challenges would be time management and working towards certain goals in a certain time limit. There are no challenges as such but opportunities, of course yes. I was a big part of the movie 'Gehraaiyan' and had a big role creatively as the protagonist Deepika Padukone was a yoga teacher in the film. So, not only did I choreograph the yoga scenes, but we also did a lot of workshops and first hand I was the yoga expert on the film who gave so much creative input.


Yoga has gained immense popularity in recent years. How important do you think it is to incorporate yoga into our wellness routines?


Yoga and asana practice is extremely important for your holistic health and overall wellness because yoga not only helps to make you feel good on the outside by inside as well. Your hormones are functioning properly and also you are sleeping well. So, everything comes on track which is very important for your overall well-being.


Can you share some insights about your experiences while training celebrities?


I learn so much from them. They are so inspiring and motivating as well as disciplined. They have long hours of shoot but still they come to practice either early in the morning say 4:30 AM or late at night. This dedication is very inspiring and is unmatchable.


Yoga is not just a physical exercise; it also offers mental and emotional benefits. How do you one can find balance and inner peace through their yoga practice?


When you are breathing correctly and activating your parasympathetic nervous system, your cortisol levels are taken care of which are your stress levels and your hormones are functoning properly. Your endocrine and excretory system are also working on time. Then, automatically you are calmer, you are releasing the right hormones and that also makes you a balanced and a happy individual.


In your experience, what are some of the most significant transformations or positive impacts that you have witnessed in people through their yoga practice?


In my experience, the most significant transformation or positive impact is something as small as them finishing a practice and smiling and giving themselves a hug. I always end my practice with taking a moment to thank their body for supporting them throughout the practice, for loving themselves, for reminding themselves that they are breathing and to be grateful. That is very rewarding.


But, I can tell you that the most rewarding experience for me was when a three-and-a-half-year-old told her parent to sit in Vajrasana after they had their meals. Also, when my students tell me that they are feeling so good after the session but before that in the morning they didn't want to get up or step out of the bed.


From Kareena Kapoor to Alia Bhatt, you have been part and parcel of their pregnancy journeys and have trained them even after that. How do you think yoga helps one to cope with their pregnancy?


Yoga helps one to cope with preganacy in so many ways- physically, to make sure that you are moving and that your body is strong enough to adapt those changes. Pranayams help to keep those changes in the hormones as balanced as possible throughout the pregnancy and that really helps with the well-being. And spiritually, when you are hosting a baby, pranayam also helps you to be well connected with the baby.


Lastly, as a yoga trainer, what message would you like to give on International Yoga Day?


I would like to say that this practice is magic nd beautiful and everybody in the world should do it.