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Economic Times
18 hours ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Shark Tank India's Namita Thapar says ‘70-hour workweek gives no wealth'. Urges professionals to invest in these 6 things instead
Namita Thapar, Shark Tank India judge, encourages professionals to prioritize health. She suggests rethinking investments in wellness. Thapar highlights the importance of yoga for physical and mental well-being. She emphasizes that long work hours can lead to health problems. Yoga can build a stronger body and calmer mind. She recommends yoga poses like Mountain Pose and Downward Dog. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads A foundational standing pose that improves posture and balance while grounding your body and mind. It helps activate core muscles and encourages mindful breathing. Downward Dog Pose (Adho Mukha Svanasana) Dog pose (Pic courtesy: Istock. Images used for representative purpose only) A rejuvenating full-body stretch that strengthens the arms and legs while relieving tension in the spine and hamstrings. Boat Pose (Pic courtesy: Istock. Images used for representative purpose only) This core-strengthening pose tones the abdominal muscles and improves focus and balance. It also aids digestion and builds stamina. Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana) Warrior Pose (Virabhadrasana) Warrior Pose (Pic courtesy: Istock. Images used for representative purpose only) A powerful standing posture that builds strength in the legs and arms while boosting confidence and endurance. Cobra Pose (Pic courtesy: Istock. Image used for representative purpose only) A heart-opening backbend that strengthens the spine and soothes lower back pain. It also stimulates abdominal organs and boosts energy levels. In a world obsessed with hustle culture, where longer hours are often equated with success, Shark Tank India judge and Emcure Pharmaceuticals executive director Namita Thapar is urging professionals to rethink what they're really investing in. On the occasion of International Yoga Day, Thapar took to LinkedIn to share a refreshingly honest take on wellness and productivity—and it's striking a chord with pointed out how much time we spend trying to get better at work: 'updating skills, reading books, and listening to podcasts.' While she acknowledged the value in that, she stressed that these aren't enough. According to her, the real game-changer is something most of us overlook—investing in our health through wrote, 'That 70-hour work week gives you no wealth, just bad health & a body full of pains & aches.' Instead, Thapar emphasised that yoga helps you build a stronger body and a stiller, calmer mind—both of which are essential for not just work productivity but also happiness in personal her own experience, she called yoga the 'easiest to implement' wellness practice—you only need a mat and a little space at home. She encouraged people to let go of excuses and begin right away, assuring them that the practice has the power to transform their lives. Her message closed with a strong note of positivity and self-compassion, urging everyone to prioritise their the video, she suggested a few yoga poses to fix the slouch and get rid of neck, shoulder and back pain.A gentle backbend that opens up the chest and stretches the spine. It helps relieve stress and improves circulation.
News18
19 hours ago
- Health
- News18
Physical Movement For Mental Clarity: How Yoga Sharpens Focus And Calms The Mind
Yoga offers a grounded way back to clarity, calm, and inner balance. Regular practice rewires your mind for greater clarity, resilience, and focus. In the fast-paced rhythm of modern life, clear thinking can feel like a rare privilege. Our minds are constantly pulled in different directions, between looming deadlines, nonstop notifications, and the emotional clutter of everyday stress. Yet amid this noise, movement, especially through yoga, offers a grounded way back to clarity, calm, and inner balance. Ajeet Kumar Singh, TGT Physical Education Teacher, Global Indian International School, Noida, says, ' Yoga is more than an exercise class; it is a broad discipline that knits together postures, breath work, and attention. When these elements move in sync, they help untangle mental fog, diminish anxiety, and slow down the endless loop of overthinking. With regular practice, many yogis report sharper concentration, wiser choices, and an easier ability to stay present throughout the day." One of the ways yoga enhances mental clarity is by activating the parasympathetic nervous system: the body's natural calming mechanism responsible for slowing the heart rate and aiding digestion. Singh notes, 'Unlike high-intensity workouts that flood the body with cortisol, a mindful yoga practice gently lowers stress hormones, guiding the body back into a state of equilibrium. As those stress chemicals subside, mental fog lifts. Even a short session – just twenty minutes of slow, intentional movement and breath – can reset the nervous system and bring the mind back to a clear, centred state." Breathwork woven into yoga quietly sharpens mental clarity. Techniques such as Nadi Shodhana – alternate nostril breathing, or simple deep belly inhales, send more oxygen to the brain, soothe the nervous system, and short-circuit endless loops of worry. Singh says, 'Neuroscience supports this: yoga visibly boosts neuroplasticity, the brain's power to form fresh connections. Meditative focus combined with gentle movement stimulates the prefrontal cortex, the seat of decision-making and sustained attention. Studies consistently show that long-term practitioners score higher on memory tests, think faster, and regulate emotions more smoothly." Yoga also trains the body to inhabit the present moment. In a world that praises constant multitasking, staying still with the breath is genuinely rare. Flowing through asanas while focusing on each inhale and exhale pulls us away from noise and toward now. Singh adds, 'You do not have to bend like a pretzel or attend elite classes to reap real gains from yoga. Gentle flows such as Cat-Cow, Downward Dog or a simple seated fold can ease spinal tightness and give the nervous system a quick reboot. A few rounds of sun salutations first thing in the morning can lift energy and sharpen focus more reliably than a cup of coffee." That's part of yoga's quiet power: it fits seamlessly into almost any routine. Whether you're on your mat at home, in a studio, or squeezing in five minutes between meetings, the practice adapts to your day while steadily rewiring your mind for greater clarity, resilience, and focus. First Published:
