Wellness

“Yoga belongs to India”: Shilpa Shetty Kundra

Fit as a fiddle, SHILPA SHETTY KUNDRA has long been a staunch advocate for yoga as a means to good health. In a conversation with LIPIKA VARMA, the evergreen femme fatale gets candid about health management.

How did you get interested in this ancient exercise? What has the process been like?

Yoga belongs to India Shilpa Shetty Kundra

My introduction to yoga wasn’t planned. I suffered from cervical spondylitis; my physiotherapist advised me to do bhujangasana thrice a day to help strengthen my spine. Over the years it has gone from a casual practice to a lifestyle. When I attended Big Brother, I used to do a lot of breathing exercises and people came to know. When you do yoga, your perception changes. I saw the changes in me happen over 2 years. Yoga belongs to India, but it has picked up more internationally. I wanted to be the catalyst to help people benefit from it in India. There is no one from our country to represent yoga. I started making DVDs for this reason, which are now pretty popular.

When you do yoga, your perception changes.

**Talk us through the process of yoga and its benefits. Any specific asanas that are your favourites?**

With yoga, there is always the scope for change in you. You can reinvent yourself. Yoga helps alignment of mind, body, and soul. It is a process; you need to be disciplined and follow through. Yoga also helps control the emotional faculties. I try to bring in a better version of myself through its practice. My favourite asana is Surya Namaskar. It helps in stretching your body and warms up your body as well. With Surya Namaskar you will feel like your blood is rushing through your veins; you are refreshed and energized.

Does practising yoga help with managing mental health during tough times such as the pandemic?

I believe we are going through a difficult time. The pandemic is more like a disaster; we need to go into disaster management mode. All of us are putting up a brave front. Luckily, the practice of yoga has helped people deal with the unprecedented issues the pandemic has brought to us. Many have lost near and dear ones, unable to even perform the last rites. So many are suffering from anxiety and depression but don’t know it. Pranayama can help with keeping our mental health in check. Yoga not only helps keep you physically fit but also maintains and strengthens mental health. Yoga also helps to reverse ageing and increase our quality of life. This is the time to enhance our immunity and mental health which will further help us cope with these difficult times.

This is the time to enhance our immunity and mental health which will further help us cope with these difficult times.

How do we keep ourselves thinking positive in these trying times?

The-Long-Stretch-with-Shilpa-Shetty-Kundra

We have no control over the lockdowns. We have forgotten to live in the present moment and are too busy planning the future. I believe that we need to be positive during these difficult times. Undoubtedly, negative thoughts will seep into us, so yoga practice essentially changes your perception. For example, when I do not like any arguments I still keep smiling, but to get back to normalcy I go out of the room for some time, analyse the situation and breathe for a while. This enables me to deal with my emotions. I am positive from within but at times we need to balance ourselves. Breathing is the best way. This is my secret of always being positive.

Any dietary tips to follow along with yoga practice?

I try to bring in a better version of myself through its practice.

My tip is to keep it simple. I don’t depend on the diet, nor do I follow the practice of eating six or seven times, I simply eat whenever I feel hungry. We need to have a heavy breakfast, followed by a good lunch. Ingesting enough carbs is very essential as well, as carbs energize your body. Also include protein, to repair your muscles, and fibre to cleanse your intestines. Having enough water is very important to stay hydrated. Your dinner has to be smaller. Some people don’t eat for the entire day but then eat too much for dinner. After eating they go straight to bed. They also have late dinners as well. As far as possible you need to allow your body to digest your food before you go to sleep. Finishing our food three hours before one sleeps is the best for your health.

September 4, 2021

Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Yoga

Morning Rituals Win the Morning Win The Day

Modern lifestyles are often dominated by work, causing us to overlook essential routines that form the foundation of a healthy life. In the constant hustle whether driven by work pleasure or pressure we tend to neglect the growing importance of our well-being. As MANOGNA REDDY reminds us, taking control of our mornings is the first step toward a more balanced and fulfilling life. Enough of the hustle it’s time to prioritise yourself. Mornings offer the perfect opportunity to engage in rituals that energise and ground you for the day ahead. Begin your day with intention, and you’ll start to see meaningful and lasting changes. Do Not Snooze Waking up early grants you precious time to focus on personal health, wellness, and hygiene often the first things we sideline on a busy day. Hitting the snooze button may offer a few extra minutes of rest, but it often steals away time, leaving behind guilt and a rushed start. Embracing an early start not only adds structure to your day but also brings a sense of clarity and control that sets the tone for everything that follows. Hydrate Begin your day with a hot glass of water. This as a practice flushes out toxins from our body and helps aid digestion. You may also add lemon, ginger, or tulsi leaves depending on what suits your body best. Hydrating first thing in the morning awakens your internal system and gives a fresh kickstart to your metabolism. Exercise Give your body the movement it deserves. You don’t need a full gym session just 10 to 20 minutes of stretching, yoga, or a brisk walk can work wonders. Exercise not only strengthens your muscles but also refreshes your mind and uplifts your mood. It also helps you stay disciplined and keeps laziness at bay throughout

Wellness

Ayurveda Silence and Stars: A Journey Back to Self at Santani

They say just five minutes in nature can start healing your body. At SANTANI WELLNESS Resort, Kandy, it takes even less. Tucked away in the lush hills of Sri Lanka, four hours from Colombo, this isn’t just a resort it’s a sanctuary where modern stress is gently undone by ancient wisdom. When I was invited to review Santani, I was simply expecting a luxurious break. What I received was a transformation of body, mind, and rhythm. Join SINDURI VUPPALA on her journey into one of the world’s most conscious wellness destinations. When the invitation arrived in my inbox to review Santani Wellness Resort, I paused. The name itself intrigued me. Santani a Sanskrit word meaning “in harmony with” immediately hinted at something deeper than just another luxury spa retreat. As a journalist constantly on the move, my mind cluttered with deadlines and devices, the promise of “balance” sounded too good to be true. I needed it more than I realised. Getting to Santani isn’t a spontaneous affair. It’s a four-hour drive from Colombo airport, winding through misty hills and sleepy villages. But every mile feels like a slow unravelling of the stress that city life knots into your body. As we drove up the final stretch, literally skimming the edge of a mountain range, I rolled down the window and inhaled deeply my first real breath in weeks. The view: endless, green, alive. I didn’t know it yet, but I was already beginning to heal. We were welcomed not with cold towels or champagne flutes, but with something far rarer genuine silence. No music. No chatter. Just the soft murmur of wind through the trees and the gentle bow of a staff member who led us directly to lunch. The chef greeted us personally. “Tell me what your body feels

Wellness

Rice as Medicine: Choosing the Right Grain for Your Health Needs

Rice isn’t just a staple food—it’s a healing grain that’s been part of Indian diets for centuries. Different varieties offer different nutrients and health benefits, making it possible to tailor your rice intake to combat specific diseases and nutritional deficiencies. Hashtag magazine tells you how different Indian rice types support various health conditions: 1. For Diabetes Best Rice: Black Rice, Brown Rice, Red Rice, Sona Masoori (semi-polished) Why? Tip: Avoid highly polished white rice. Pair with pulses or vegetables for a balanced meal. 2. For Heart Health Best Rice: Red Rice, Brown Rice, Matta (Kerala Red Rice) Why? Tip: Use these for regular meals instead of white rice to protect your heart long-term. 3. For Iron Deficiency / Anemia Best Rice: Black Rice, Red Rice, Bamboo Rice Why? Tip: Cook with jaggery or dark leafy greens for added iron absorption. 4. For Bone Strength & Joint Health Best Rice: Matta Rice, Bamboo Rice Why? Tip: Serve as a porridge (kanji) with ghee for enhanced benefits. 5. For Weight Management / Obesity Best Rice: Brown Rice, Sona Masoori, Red Rice Why? Tip: Try portion control with hand-pounded rice + salads and protein for effective weight loss. 6. For Digestive Health Best Rice: Gobindobhog, Indrayani, Kalajeera Rice (Baby Basmati) Why? Tip: Use these for curd rice or lightly spiced khichdi. 7. For Antioxidant Boost / Anti-Ageing Best Rice: Black Rice, Red Rice, Wild Rice (where available) Why? Tip: Great for beauty diets and detox routines. 8. For Pregnancy & Lactation Support Best Rice: Parboiled Rice, Gobindobhog, Kalajeera Rice Why? Tip: Make porridge with these during third trimester and postnatal period. 9. For Mental Well-Being & Sleep Best Rice: Kalajeera Rice, Indrayani Rice Why? Tip: Light evening meals using these rice types can aid better sleep and relaxation. 10. For Protein Deficiency (Supportive) Best Rice: Bamboo Rice, Brown Rice (paired with dals/legumes) Why? Tip: Always combine rice with dals or fermented foods for

Wellness

Increased Hair Fall in Summer and How to Control It

The sun is out and vacations are planned, but there’s one summer guest we never invite—excessive hair fall. If you’ve noticed more strands on your pillow, in the shower drain, or on your hairbrush during the hotter months, you’re not alone. Summer brings with it a slew of hair woes thanks to rising temperatures, increased sweating, and exposure to heat and humidity. The good news? It’s preventable and treatable with the right care, Hashtag magazine gives you a lowdown… Why Does Hair Fall Increase in Summer? 1. Sweaty Scalp and Oil Buildup:Excessive sweating clogs pores on the scalp, weakening hair roots and leading to hair fall. 2. UV Ray Exposure:The sun’s UV rays can damage the scalp, weaken the hair shaft, and cause dryness and brittleness. 3. Dehydration:Your hair needs moisture to stay healthy. If you’re not drinking enough water, your strands can turn weak and break easily. 4. Pool Chlorine and Salt Water:Frequent dips in the pool or sea? Chlorine and salt strip hair of its natural oils, leaving it dull and vulnerable to breakage. 5. Change in Diet and Routine:Holiday binging, skipping meals, irregular sleep patterns, or high stress levels can also cause hair to shed more. How to Control Hair Fall in Summer 1. Keep Your Scalp Clean and Sweat-Free 2. Hydrate Inside Out 3. Cover Up When Out in the Sun 4. Avoid Over-Styling and Heat Tools 5. Oil Massage Once a Week 6. Use a Hair Mask 7. Eat Hair-Loving Foods 8. Avoid Tight Hairstyles 9. Use Satin Pillowcases When to Seek Help If your hair fall is sudden, or excessive, or you notice bald spots or thinning, it’s wise to consult a dermatologist or trichologist. Summer hair fall is common, but sometimes it could be masking underlying issues like hormonal imbalance, thyroid problems, or