Bend it like the stars

We all know that Yoga has universal appeal because of its holistic approach and it is hailed as the best form of exercise. That’s why – even today after years of its invention, we keep coming up with so many interesting variations of this ancient form of exercise. Vinod Channa who has been training celebrities for the last 24 years believes that yoga works for them because, “their work profile demands high-impact movement, dance, long-working hours and sudden jerk movements. They require more mobility, flexibility, agility, speed, and mind-body coordination with strength – all of this comes from yoga asanas and pranayama. Even when they are working on a six pack or a beach body, to reach that level, they need a hardcore workout with nutrition but at the same time, they need the agility that only yoga can give. Yoga also helps in avoiding injury like muscle wear and tear, joint dislocation and can be performed for a long time without the restriction of age, lifestyle or medical conditions.”

Adding further, celeb trainer Anshuka Parwani says, “Most celebrities have an erratic lifestyle which means irregular sleep patterns, food timings, a lot of stress and pressure – yoga is such an internal practice rather than an external one that it helps them to not only to stay fit but also to make them stay calm, especially in times when they have high-pressure shots and are stressed out completely. It also stems from their wanting to lean towards meditating – to keep calm and stay focused. Overall, yoga helps to keep the internal factory healthy.”

Inverted fun

Bollywood’s favourite diva and the undisputed queen of fitness Kareena Kapoor Khan is an inspiration to all. Her yoga postures are on point. Recently, an Instagram fan page of Kareena posted a smoking hot collage of her practising yoga where she nailed some of the most difficult yoga poses, right from headstand to chakrasana – in perfect bebo style! From her size-zero Tashan days to her post-pregnancy weight loss – she constantly reminds us that nothing is impossible. Parwani who has trained Bebo for over a decade found it easy to work with her post-delivery too. “She was back on the mat in two weeks after delivery and we started with pranayamas to focus on the breath work and streamline the hormones. Next came the strengthening of the core and inversions to stimulate the thyroid gland and regulate the hormones. Inversions are easier because you are suspended from your hips: there is no compression on your spine or neck when you are being suspended in the air. I have seen how Kareena has grown to be so much aware of her body: she knows it best. The FlyFit hammock helped Kareena with postnatal yoga as it’s not easy for anyone to do a headstand, shoulder stand or inversions due to lack of strength at that time. Also when one is working against gravity, it gives more strength and flexibility,” says Parwani.