For actor, entrepreneur, and fitness icon Shilpa Shetty Kundra, yoga is more than a workout — it’s a way of life. What began as a remedy for cervical spondylosis over two decades ago has evolved into a daily ritual that continues to shape her personal and professional journey.
Now 50, Shilpa has been practising yoga for over 22 years — long before International Yoga Day was officially recognized by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015. Her commitment to yoga goes beyond personal wellness; she has played a key role in making it more accessible and appealing to younger generations.
In 2015, she released a yoga DVD that gained popularity not just in India but also in the UK and the Middle East. The DVD was translated into several languages, including Hindi and Spanish, broadening its global reach.
She continued to promote holistic health through her wellness app, Simple Soulful by Shilpa Shetty, launched in 2019. With more than a million downloads, the app offers guided yoga sessions, meditation practices, and lifestyle tips for users at all levels.
That same year, Shilpa launched a YouTube channel that now has 3.77 million subscribers. The channel features free yoga tutorials, guided meditations, fitness routines, healthy recipes, and motivational content. Her videos have earned millions of views and continue to receive comments from viewers across the globe.
Shilpa sees yoga as a spiritual practice that fosters inner balance and self-awareness. “I don’t look at it as an exercise regime. I look at it as a way to keep myself balanced and in sync with my soul,” she told YourStory.
For her, the most powerful lesson from yoga is learning to stay in control of her mind and emotions. “When you become aware of your breath, you realize that no external circumstance or person can dictate your state of mind,” she said. “As everyone knows, I’ve been through many ups and downs. But what kept me going was staying in control of my breath and my thoughts. No one can tell me how I’m meant to feel. Yoga teaches you to know and own your truth.”
