There was a time Shilpa Shetty could not even turn her neck. And now, she does headstand like a pro, thanks to yoga that helped transform the actor’s life.
Shetty shared her personal journey with yoga during the 12th International Yoga Day celebrations on Sunday, revealing how the practice helped her overcome spondylosis and transformed her physical and mental health.
"I got introduced to yoga because it was prescribed to me. I suffered from spondylosis, so my physio told me to do certain 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 changes the way you see things and your perspective on life. It makes you more aware, and it's a journey of self-discovery," she said.
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."
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"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 Paranayam." she said.
Shetty encouraged people of all ages to embrace yoga as a part of their daily lives and also stressed the importance of introducing yoga to children at an early age.
“I want to convey this message to our young generation: please take full advantage of yoga. It is science, left behind by our sages. It is the single most holistic way to cure and strengthen yourself, build muscle, and stay mentally agile and fit," she added.
International Yoga Day was observed on June 21 under the theme "Yoga for Healthy Ageing." Prime Minister Narendra Modi led India's main celebration at Kolkata's Red Road. The 2026 theme highlights yoga's role in promoting physical health, mental well-being, emotional resilience and active ageing, reflecting the growing global focus on healthy and dignified ageing.
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