It’s always a pleasure to speak with Rupal Sidhpura Faria, one of India’s most sought-after celebrity yoga trainers. Having featured her insights before, we knew there was no better voice to reconnect with this International Yoga Day.
This time, Rupal Sidhpura Faria welcomed us with her signature warmth and wisdom. She was ready to delve into a subject that affects millions: joint pain and how yoga can quietly yet powerfully transform it.
“Yoga isn’t just postures,” she began, “it’s movement, it’s medicine, it’s a lifestyle.”
Her words were clear. And from how she spoke, we knew she wasn’t just giving us tips—she was speaking from years of experience, watching bodies heal and minds reset.
Yoga as Therapy: An Underrated Truth
Many people still believe yoga is only for improving flexibility or fitness. But Rupal was quick to shift that lens.
“Yoga is therapy,” she said with conviction. “In many countries where I teach, like Spain, this idea is still new. But it’s time we understand that yoga isn’t just about the physical—it’s a healing system.”
She broke it down. Through its fluid, low-impact movements, yoga helps circulate synovial fluid, a natural lubricant in our joints. This not only reduces friction but also nourishes the tissues that are often ignored.
But the real magic? Yoga strengthens muscles around joints, particularly the knees, spine, and shoulders. And stronger muscles mean less strain on the joints themselves.
“If your back is weak, the stress trickles down to your knees,” she explained. “Everything in the body is connected.”
More Than Movement: A Mind-Body Connection
What makes yoga different from other forms of exercise, Rupal emphasized, is how deeply it connects the mind and body.
Through breathwork, meditation, and specific postures, yoga regulates inflammation, one of the root causes of joint discomfort and arthritis. Though yoga can’t replace medication, it can ease the recovery journey.
“We can’t ignore the emotional side of pain,” she said. “Sometimes pain lives in the body because of unresolved trauma. That’s where yoga becomes somatic healing.”
This wasn’t just theory. Rupal sees it often—when someone begins to move through yoga, they also begin to release years of mental and emotional tension stored within.
The Healing Lifestyle: Small Shifts, Big Impact
Beyond the mat, Rupal believes joint health depends on lifestyle, too.
“Sunlight is one of the most underrated healers,” she smiled. “It gives us vitamin D, warms the body, and reduces stiffness. And yet we take it for granted.”
She talked passionately about the importance of consistent movement, a nutrient-rich, anti-inflammatory diet, and the often-forgotten hero: water.
“Water keeps your cartilage healthy—it’s literally what cushions your joints,” she said. “Dehydration silently worsens pain.”
In her experience, simple natural remedies can make a big difference: turmeric, ginger, moringa (yes, our beloved drumsticks), leafy greens, berries, and omega-rich seeds like flax and chia.
The Wisdom of Naturopathy
Rupal then opened up about how naturopathy played a key role in healing joint pain in her own family.
She swears by the gentler, more natural path, which includes curcumin and Ashwagandha, Epsom salt baths, and herbal compresses.
“Massage therapy with oils like mustard or castor can reduce inflammation. One I personally recommend is Mahanarayan Tel—a gem in Ayurvedic circles.”
She also cautioned readers: always consult a professional before starting herbal supplements, especially if you’re managing other health conditions.
When Weight Loss Harms More Than It Helps
One surprising point she brought up was about muscle loss.
“People lose weight but also lose muscle, especially after 25 or 35. That’s risky—less muscle means less joint protection. You need strength to age gracefully.”
She emphasized that healthy weight, hydration, and mindful stress management through yoga are the real goals, not crash diets or intense workouts that wear the body down.
A Final Word on Asanas & Caution from Rupal Sidhpura Faria
When we asked Rupal which postures she recommends for joint care, she offered a thoughtful list:
- Tadasana (Mountain Pose)
- Vrikshasana (Tree Pose)
- Cat-Cow stretches
- Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose)
- Bharadvajasana (Seated Twist)
- Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Spinal Twist)
“But the most important posture is Savasana,” she smiled. “Only when the body rests can it absorb all the healing.”
And she offered one last piece of wisdom: Never push past pain. Use props—blocks, bolsters, wheels. Warm up. Modify. Respect your body.
“You’re not here to conquer your joints,” she said, “you’re here to support them.”
As we wrapped up, it was clear Rupal’s voice was more than that of a teacher—it was of someone who sees the body as sacred, and yoga as its most honest language.
This International Yoga Day, her message is simple yet powerful:
“Yoga is for everyone—at any age, at any stage. And when it comes to joint health, it might just be the most graceful medicine we’ve overlooked.”