As the world gears up to celebrate International Yoga Day, actor Shivam Khajuria, who is seen in Star Plus’ Anupamaa, opens up about the role yoga plays in helping him maintain balance in his fast-paced life. From breathing exercises in his vanity van to using pranayama for emotional control during intense scenes, the actor believes yoga has become an essential part of both his personal and professional journey.
Talking about his quick yoga routine before facing the camera, Shivam shares, “A few minutes of breathing exercises, voice activation, and light stretching before I step in front of the camera. It helps me centre myself, wake up both my body and mind, and get into the right headspace for the day.”
Even a few minutes of daily stillness can create a huge difference in clarity, focus, and overall well-being.
Despite a demanding shooting schedule, the actor makes a conscious effort to prioritise his well-being. “I have to make the time. Without taking a few moments for myself, both my mind and body end up carrying a lot of stress. Even five minutes of mindful breathing or stretching can help restore balance and reset my energy for the rest of the day,” he says.
For Shivam, yoga extends beyond physical fitness and directly impacts his craft as an actor. “Definitely. Breathwork is incredibly important for me. It helps me stay grounded, focused, and present in the moment. It also allows me to connect more deeply with the character and navigate emotional scenes with greater authenticity,” he explains.
While maintaining a healthy lifestyle, Shivam admits he still enjoys indulging occasionally. “I do enjoy a cheat meal once in a while, probably once a week. But after an intense yoga session or workout, I actually feel more motivated to eat clean and nourish my body. It feels like a natural extension of the effort I’ve already put in.”
The entertainment industry often comes with constant scrutiny and negativity, but the actor credits yoga and meditation for helping him remain unaffected. “Yoga and meditation teach me to look inward rather than outward. When you’re connected to yourself and grounded in who you are, external noise has much less power over you. It helps me focus on what truly matters instead of getting distracted by opinions and negativity.”
This International Yoga Day, Shivam is setting a new wellness goal for himself. “I’d like to build a more consistent meditation practice. Even a few minutes of daily stillness can create a huge difference in clarity, focus, and overall well-being.”
Here’s wishing all our readers an abundance of body wellness, this International Yoga Day!!
