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Indian Express

‘Right now, there is no ‘I want to lose'': Kareena Kapoor Khan's yoga instructor reveals the actor's fitness mantra; why it works

When it comes to fitness, Kareena Kapoor Khan isn't chasing a number on the scale — she's tuning into what her body needs. According to her long-time yoga instructor Anshuka Parwani, Kareena has never set weight loss as a goal. Instead, her journey has always been about balance, self-awareness, and a deep connection to her body. In an interaction with ETimes recently, she said, 'When it comes to age, honestly, Kareena is somebody who is the most aware of her body. I know this because I have been with her. She was my first ever student, not only just the first actor, my first ever student. There is so much to learn from her, she is so aware. She has always loved yoga, and she understands her body as well so we know when to push a little, when to alter her workout, when to do variations, or the days when we just want to work on some breath work.' Anshuka, who has worked with Kareena for over a decade, said the actor's routine has contributed to her glow lately. 'Sometimes, I feel like there is a torch behind her cheeks because it's beautiful.' She added that Kareena's routine includes 'a lot of mixes of animal flows, lot of strength when it comes to yoga practices. We do a lot of cardiovascular-based workouts as well.' She continued, 'Right now, there is no 'I want to lose'. Honestly, now that I think of it, that's never really happened. The maximum I could really say about anybody has been that, you know, maybe I would like to drop a waist size.' Lately, Kareena's routine includes a mix of animal flows, strength-based yoga, and cardiovascular elements. 'Kareena doesn't like balancing asanas. I think she gets bored doing vriksh-asana.' She revealed, 'Her favourite is Surya namaskar. She loves her back bend. She loves to practice. This is her lifestyle.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anshuka Parwani – Yoga | Ayurveda | Wellness (@anshukayoga) How does being deeply aware of one's body contribute to a healthier relationship with fitness? Neha Cadabam, senior psychologist and executive director at Cadabams Hospitals, tells 'When individuals are attuned to their bodies, they tend to approach fitness with a sense of curiosity and care rather than pressure or comparison. This kind of body awareness allows one to notice how movement feels, what energises them, and what supports their emotional and physical well-being.' In Kareena's case, as described by Anshuka, the absence of a weight-centric goal suggests a more intuitive connection to her body. 'This often leads to a more sustainable and positive fitness journey, where movement becomes a form of self-expression, stress release, or mindfulness, rather than a means to 'fix' something. Over time, this nurtures respect and gratitude for the body, regardless of how it looks.' Psychological benefits from exercising for strength rather than appearance or external validation When fitness is centered around internal goals like strength, balance, or mental clarity, it often results in a more rewarding and emotionally stable experience. People tend to feel empowered, capable, and more in control of their own well-being. Cadabam notes, 'This shift reduces the pressure to meet external standards and allows individuals to celebrate progress that isn't visible on a scale or in a mirror, like better sleep, improved focus, or emotional resilience. It also reduces the likelihood of burnout or exercise avoidance, which can happen when motivation is tied only to physical appearance.'