Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty shared her personal journey with yoga during the 12th International Yoga Day celebrations in Gurugram, revealing how the practice helped her overcome cervical spondylosis and transformed both her physical and mental well-being. Addressing participants at the event, Shetty said her introduction to yoga came after it was recommended as part of her treatment for the medical condition.
From Spondylosis to Headstands
Shetty recounted her initial struggle, stating, 'I got introduced to yoga because it was prescribed to me. I suffered from spondylosis, so my physio told me to do these asanas. After that, I hired a yoga teacher. Then I did other asanas. When I got deeper into yoga, I realised that I saw a shift. It changed the way you see things and your perspective on life. It makes you more aware, and it's a journey of self-discovery.'
Reflecting on her physical progress, the actor added, 'There was a time when I couldn't turn my neck fully and I couldn't look back. Now I can do the headstand. Imagine it's the same body. So yoga has taught me that the mind is more powerful than the body.' Cervical spondylosis is a condition caused by the gradual degeneration of the bones and discs in the neck.
Mental Health Benefits for the Younger Generation
Shetty also highlighted the mental health benefits of yoga, particularly for young people facing modern-day pressures. 'The most amazing thing about yoga is that it has made me happy, it helped me stay in the now. There is so much stress we go through. Especially actors, always in the public eye and the younger generation, there is social media pressure, there is peer pressure, I feel for this generation, there is no better treatment than Pranayam,' she said.
Calling the celebration a memorable experience, Shetty encouraged people of all ages to embrace yoga as a part of their daily lives. 'Today will be a memorable experience for me. There's no better way to celebrate International Yoga Day than to celebrate yoga with people. I was very excited that so many people had joined the session. I try to make it enjoyable whenever I conduct mass sessions with people. There was a lot of fun and frolic, while keeping the technique in mind,' she said.
Early Introduction to Yoga for Children
The actor also stressed the importance of introducing yoga to children at an early age. 'I wanted to introduce it to the three-year-old children who were here. They should enjoy yoga. I want to convey this message to our young generation: please take full advantage of it. It's science, left behind by our sages. It's the single most holistic way to cure yourself, strengthen yourself, build muscle, and stay mentally agile and fit. So please take up yoga,' she added.
The event, held at Cyberhub, Gurugram, saw hundreds of participants joining Shetty in yoga asanas. The theme for this year's International Day of Yoga was 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing'. Shetty's testimony underscores yoga's role in managing chronic conditions like spondylosis while promoting overall mental and physical health.
