Anshuka Parwani is one of India’s most celebrated yoga instructors, who among achieving many personal feats, is also lauded for being the lady behind Kareena Kapoor Khan’s amazing post-pregnancy transformation and Malaika Arora’s fit body. While her own journey in yoga began in the year 2008, when a near-fatal bike accident left her with multiple fractures to the legs, a broken head and back injury. Since then she welcomed Yoga into her life and has never looked back ever since. She now has her own yoga studio that offers classes in Fly-Fit – a form of fitness that combines aerial yoga, aerial Pilates and aerial fitness.
To know more about what these forms of yoga are and how Anshuka uses them to provide her clients with the body of their dreams, Women Fitness India sat down with her to talk about how she has introduced Aerial Yoga to this side of the world.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Being the founder of “Anshuka Yoga”, when were you first introduced to yoga?
Ms. Anshuka Parwani:
My journey in Yoga began as a kid practicing under the supervision of my mother, who has been a teacher since over 15 years. Holding an MSc in Yoga and having roots in Traditional Ashtanga Yoga, I also practiced with elite Yoga Masters from different schools of Yoga – Vinyasa Flow, Kundalini Yoga, Acro Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, Yin Yoga.
Over my 8-year exploration in spirituality, I have read and studied many philosophies and texts on different schools of spirituality and metaphysics. I am also a strong believer in working with energy and with the Chakras- the energy centers of our body. A certified Pilates, Barre & Zumba Instructor, I also hold a Commercial Pilots License and I’m a National Swimming Gold Medalist holding various records in competitive and long distance Sea Swimming.
Her motto for yoga and life in general – “Yoga – for the change, for the better”
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Your favourite form of yoga, that you prescribe for all females, irrespective of their age?
Ms. Anshuka Parwani:
I enjoy all forms of yoga, but the form of Yoga I enjoy most is the Traditional Ashtanga Yoga, the gentle practice and stillness really keeps me grounded and can be practiced by females of any age while reaping the remarkable benefits of Yoga.
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President womenfitness.org and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2018 Women Fitness Org
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
One form that you still have to learn or get better at?
Ms. Anshuka Parwani:
Being a pioneer of aerial yoga in the country, I am yet to come across a hybrid version which I haven’t learnt. But the one form I feel I need to practice more is Yin Yoga. I love the cool, calming benefits it gives us.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Introduce us to FlyFit.
Ms. Anshuka Parwani:
An amalgamation of Aerial Yoga, Aerial Pilates & Aerial Fitness that uses traditional mat yoga with postures with Pilates techniques suspended in soft fabric hammocks.
Aerial Yoga assists an individual to get deeper into Traditional Yoga postures. Like yoga props such as a strap or a block the hammock is intended to assist alignment & immediately provide the benefit of spinal decompression.
Zero Compression Inversions – While you are upside down it applies reverse traction and hydrates the vertebral discs of the spinal column, which when the weight of the body partially or fully supported along with the help of gravity, you can explore and create space in your bodies as intended in traditional Yoga practice. Without the compression of the joints and spine you can achieve proper posture and alignment through relaxation rather than effort, therefore finding a more balanced and unencumbered expression of each pose.
Through aerial yoga you develop new skills and work muscles that you never thought you would. Because you are virtually weightless, you are forcing muscles to stretch and move that would otherwise not be used in a standard yoga practice and/or workout.
Aerial Pilates is a powerful aerial conditioning workout. Extending Classical and Contemporary Pilates technique from Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, and Ladder Barrel exercises into the air. Age is no bar as long as you do not have any of the contra-indications.
FLYFIT is all of the above and we add powerful meditation & breathing techniques with a floating shavasana making sure it’s a 360 degree workout.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Yoga poses that are great to combat stress? Role of proper breathing while training?
Ms. Anshuka Parwani:
- Eagle Pose (Garudasana)
- Standing Forward Fold (Uttanasana)
- Child’s Pose (Balasana)
- Thunderbolt Pose (Vajrasana) Variation
- Reclined Bound Angle Pose (Supta Baddha Konasana)
Though we don’t typically focus on our breath during the day, in a yoga class, breathing is just as important as the poses and serves a greater purpose. Each inhale and exhale can energize, calm, and help you form a deeper mind-body connection.
It’s crucial that you breathe correctly when you exercise. When you are doing aerobic activities, like swimming or running, or other types of exercise like strength training or bodyweight training, following the right breathing pattern will ensure that your working muscles and connective tissues get enough oxygen. Proper breathing also keeps your joints lubricated.
If you’re a beginner you may wonder why we are discussing breathing, since everybody knows that breathing is a natural process. Everybody breathes in and breathes out and it’s an involuntary function. However, you will understand what I am talking about once you start exercising.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Yoga poses ideal for post pregnancy weight loss?
Ms. Anshuka Parwani:
- Cobra
- Bow
- Tiger
- Pigeon
- Plank
- Triangle
- Camel
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Hard to judge, but who is your favourite celebrity yoga student?
Ms. Anshuka Parwani:
I wish I could answer that but every one of them is unique and inspiring in their own way.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Elaborate how yogalates came into existence & why according to you it is the best form of exercise?
Ms. Anshuka Parwani:
While I was practicing, I realised I got the best results when I was working with yoga and pilates. The blend of both gave me a complete 360 of wellness, health and fitness and hence I decided to merge them together.
Yogalates is a blend of of east and west because it effectively merges the ancient practice of Yoga from the east with the core stabilizing, posture enhancing dynamics of Pilates from the west. The origins of Yoga date back to around 3000BC India with the emphasis of creating union with oneself. Yoga can enhance strength, stamina, flexibility, balance and mental clarity. Through developing a conscious awareness of the body, mind, breath and life force (prana) it has the ability to be deeply relaxing and health enhancing.
Pilates helps in strengthening ones core/deep abdominals that augment sporting activities, assist in injury rehabilitation and supports those with back problems through re-educating the body’s postural muscles to create a very safe and strong foundation for movement.
Both Yoga and Pilates have changed and been adapted over the course of history.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
How did yoga help you overcome a serious injury that you faced?
Ms. Anshuka Parwani:
In 2008 a near fatal bike accident left me undergoing multiple trauma with multiple fractures to the legs, a broken head and back injury. This is when along with physiotherapy, my therapy through Yoga began. Within weeks of practice and a strong mind, I was walking again. This is when I decided to dig deeper and understand the meaning of “Yog” & founded my company “Anshuka Yoga.”
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What does a full body workout in your class look like? Is meditation a part of the routine?
Ms. Anshuka Parwani:
A full body workout starts with Surya Namaskars, asanas, Active Stretches, then going into arm balances and inversions. Post which we always go into several breathing techniques, pranayamas and end with a compulsory meditation of choice.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
5 tips for a yoga beginner.
Ms. Anshuka Parwani:
- Do the Beginners’ Class. This is my number one tip if you are just starting your yoga practice and are confused about which classes are right for you.
- Let go of comparison
- Don’t forget to breathe
- View yoga as a learning experience
- Don’t force yourself into a pose or let a yoga teacher force you into a pose.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
5 tips for an aspiring yoga instructor.
Ms. Anshuka Parwani:
- Be yourself.
- Don’t stop learning or practicing. No knowledge is enough.
- Set intentions and goals.
- Observe others practicing.
- Practice, practice, practice. The more you practice, the more you realise the varieties of thoughts and feeling your students may have practicing the same.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Myths surrounding the practice of yoga that need to be busted?
Ms. Anshuka Parwani:
- You need to be flexible to practice Yoga.
- Yoga comes from Hinduism.
- You can learn yoga from a book.
- Yoga is something you practice every morning and evening.
- Yogis have to be wearing certain type of clothes and meditate in the mountains.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What kind of diet should one follow with yoga practice to maximise its benefits?
Ms. Anshuka Parwani:
A pure Sattvik diet.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
One motivational message for your fans at Women Fitness.
Ms. Anshuka Parwani:
“Balance” is the key.
Strive to find yours in every aspect of life.
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This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President womenfitness.org and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2018 Women Fitness Org