International Yoga Day, celebrated on the 21st of June globally since 2015, acknowledges yoga's universal value as recognised by the United Nations using the Ordinal number since 2014. The 21st of June symbolises Indian culture because it is the summer solstice, representing a time of spiritual meaning and self-renewal, consistent with yoga's emphasis on finding balance between body and soul. As the world's attention through media again turns to this ancient form of discipline, IYD is being commemorated in 2023 for the 11th consecutive year, with a theme of "Yoga for One Earth, One Health", reiterating the idea that the wellbeing of the individual cannot exist separately from the health of the earth.

Throughout the years, Bollywood has undergone a significant change in its approach to yoga, presenting it as a wellness choice rather than creating an aesthetically pleasing look for a film. They have embraced yoga for much more than the pursuit of toned bodies—they espouse yoga for its emotional stability and grounding, clarity of thought and mental intent, and the spiritual aspects of being a better aligned person. Whether daily practices or meditation, stars like Malaika Arora, Shilpa Shetty, and Kareena Kapoor Khan have all shown us yoga as a way to a lifestyle philosophy of holistic life choices.

This phenomenon speaks to a broader view that wellness is not just a surface thing; it starts from within. Their voices allow us to listen and see that yoga is not chic, not a new trend, but a transformative experience rooted in the totality of health! Yoga is always considered more than a pose or aesthetic pursuit; it is a consciousness that lives far beyond a mirror at the gym!

Let's explore International Yoga Day through the lens of Bollywood's healthiest celebrities.

Well-known Yogis and Yoginis

Bollywood has no shortage of superstars who have adopted yoga as a workout routine and a complete wellness philosophy. Whether it's aerial yoga or the traditional asanas, these celebrities have claimed to have been moved by its powerful effects, inspiring millions nationwide and beyond.

Malaika Arora stands at the forefront of Bollywood’s yoga movement. An advocate of aerial yoga, she often credits her physical and mental well-being to the discipline. As she said in an interview, "Yoga gives me so many benefits—mind, body, and soul. It’s my anchor." Her Instagram is a visual diary of poses, gratitude, and holistic living. She expressed her deep gratitude in a heartfelt Instagram video: "Dear Yoga, I don’t know if I tell you enough... But if it wasn’t for you, I don’t know where I would be today. Thank You." Her post also highlighted how yoga empowers her to break limiting beliefs and maintain mental clarity.

Shilpa Shetty has been a well-known yoga advocate for more than a decade. In 2015, she famously released her yoga DVDs, which have stuck with her in the form of pranayama and power yoga. "Yoga is not just fitness for me; it is therapy," Shilpa said.

Kareena Kapoor Khan is all over social media, flipping through yoga poses to keep herself centered and energetic despite her busy career as an actress and mother. She posts many videos of herself performing Surya Namaskars and balancing poses. Alia Bhatt and Kangana Ranaut also use yoga to maintain strength, flexibility, and stability.

Anushka Sharma, a known believer in clean living and a mindful way of life, regularly incorporates yoga and meditation into her day. Deepika Padukone, who has openly shared about her mental health, does yoga as a grounding practice.

Among the male actors, Arjun Kapoor transformed his approach to fitness with yoga, indicating that it allowed him "to find discipline and peace," according to a piece by ZeeNews.As a high-octane Bollywood star, Kartik Aaryan has embraced yoga for balance in his busy life.

Even veteran stars like Hema Malini and Amitabh Bachchan continue to articulate the benefits of yoga. Big B quietly dedicates time each day to his breathing exercises, which provide an example of some of the benefits of yoga, regardless of age.

Yoga's Cultural Soft Power: Bollywood as Global Ambassador

The impact of Bollywood extends to global culture as well, notably yoga, one of its most profound exports. With Bollywood celebrities such as Deepika Padukone, Shilpa Shetty, and Malaika Arora sharing their commitment and practice of yoga, it reflects their cultural influence. It integrates into the larger fabric of global culture. Some are even combining their celebrity presence and yoga to be international cultural ambassadors of India's soft power.

Actress Madhurima Tuli even describes yoga as "India's best gift to the world," and reaffirms its standing as more than an exercise regimen, but as a spiritual legacy. Likewise, actress Hema Malini invited everyone to "make yoga a part of life," reaffirming its presence as a relevant practice that knows no boundaries.

Bollywood celebrity figures are respected cultural models to India's vast diasporic populace, particularly in the U.S., UK, and the Middle East. Their embrace of yoga hails engagement not just as an exercise but also as an encouragement for fans worldwide to adopt practices for emotional stability and connection to their prescriptive, time-honoured heritage.

Men Breaking the Stigma

Yoga has often been stigmatised as a female-dominated practice. However, several Bollywood stars are helping to dispel that misconception by practising yoga, which can be a powerful and beneficial tool for strength, focus, and inner balance.

Bollywood actor Arjun Kapoor, known for his extreme transformation, says that yoga influenced his journey back to health and discipline. Kartik Aryan is an energetic Bollywood actor who actively incorporates yoga into his routine to maintain a physically agile body and a sharp mind.

Bollywood veteran Amitabh Bachchan has frequently emphasised the importance of mindfulness and breathing exercises, demonstrating that yoga is equally relevant for longevity and stress management as it is for youth and fitness.

These actors demonstrate their journeys with yoga and present it as a 'gender neutral' practice for breaking apart stale stereotypes for men in terms of performing resilience, gaining focus and emotional strength of self.

The Takeaway

The changing view of yoga as a wellness practice and not a fad mirrors the general shift in society around wellness. In Bollywood, yoga is about inner alignment and not outer appearances; it’s a transformation that asks us to self-care from the inside out. These stars represent the yoga way of life—every inhale and asana merge strength, serenity, and stardom.

For these famous people, undergoing pressure and distraction from constantly living under the spotlight, yoga is a refuge—an opportunity to reconnect and reestablish themselves. Their devotion to practice reminds us that wellness is from all-in, in-and-out, because even incremental daily endeavours can profoundly change us for the better.

As the United Nations eloquently stated, "Yoga is an invaluable gift from our ancient tradition. Yoga embodies unity of mind and body, thought and action... a holistic approach [that] is valuable to our health and well-being. Yoga is not just about exercise; it is a way to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and nature." Take that as your message. Be inspired by the familiar image, and begin an exercise regimen by starting in small timeframes, just a few minutes of tasks. You may realise you can access wellness not in a frenzy of intensity but in peaceful stillness.