The woman behind Bollywood’s glow

If poise had a face, it would probably look like Anshuka Parwani. Calm, composed and effortlessly in control, the celebrity yoga trainer who counts Bollywood’s biggest stars as her students, isn’t just about the perfect headstand; she’s about real transformation — on and off the mat.

Before she became the wellness guru that A-listers swear by, Parwani’s life was moving at warp speed. A national gold medallist in swimming and a commercial pilot, she thrived on adrenaline. But life had other plans. A near-fatal bike accident left her bedridden for eight months and medically unfit to fly. That’s when yoga entered her life — guided by her mother, alongside physiotherapy — and changed her forever.

“Yoga is simply magic,” Parwani believes. “It doesn’t just heal your body; it transforms your mind.” From being an athlete in the water to navigating turbulence at 35,000 feet, her diverse experiences taught her discipline, endurance, and the importance of staying centred — elements that now define her approach to yoga.

Her journey took an unexpected but life-altering turn in 2015 after she launched her own studio, Anshuka Yoga. And then came the moment that changed everything — her first-ever class as a yoga teacher. “I walked in and realised I was about to train Kareena Kapoor Khan. It was surreal,” she recalls. “Thirty seconds in, though, I switched into teacher mode. You don’t think about who you’re teaching; you just do your job.”

That moment was just the beginning. Today, she travels the world training some of Bollywood’s biggest names, including Deepika Padukone, whom she trained in London during her BAFTA visit. But what’s remarkable is that these celebrities aren’t just showing up for the aesthetic benefits; they’re in it for the discipline. “There isn’t one who surprises me because all of them have a deep sense of discipline. That’s exactly what makes them who they are,” she says.

And if she could swap workout routines with one of them for a day? “Deepika Padukone, hands down. She’s an athlete at heart and integrates yoga, strength training, and sports into her routine. The intensity with which she trains and the way she nourishes her body — it’s something I truly admire.”

While most people know Bollywood stars for their jaw-dropping fitness transformations, Parwani insists that every student — celebrity or not — has their own inspiring journey. “I was especially proud of Alia Bhatt when she was pregnant and still filming her Hollywood movie Heart of Stone, which included action sequences. Watching her take on those scenes with such strength and confidence was amazing!”

But let’s talk fun. Parwani spills the beans on which of her celebrity clients would win a Celebrity Yoga Superlatives game:

• Most likely to hold a headstand the longest: Ananya Panday.

• Most likely to sneak in a cheat day: Kareena Kapoor Khan — “She’s super balanced, so she loves a great pizza or pasta now and then.”

• Best at early morning classes: Deepika Padukone — “I’ve had 4am or 5am classes with both her and Kareena, but if I had to pick, Deepika’s the best at early mornings.”

Speaking of guilty pleasures, Parwani is all about balance. “I firmly believe indulging is an important part of balance. Personally, I love good food — pasta, pizza, chocolate cake, desserts, you name it! My partner in crime when it comes to indulgences would be Rakul Preet Singh — she’s one of my best friends.” That said, her body has adapted over the years, so she leans toward dark chocolate or refined sugar-free treats, but if there’s one thing she’ll always crave, it’s French fries!

If she were to curate a dream yoga retreat, she wouldn’t be able to limit it to just three celebrities.

“Kareena, Deepika, Alia, Rakul, Sonam Kapoor, and Ananya Panday — it would be such a fantastic retreat with all of them. The theme? Glow & Flow.”

Beyond the glitz and glamour, Parwani is a firm believer that yoga is for everyone, especially those hesitant because of medical conditions.

“I completely understand the hesitation,” she says. “But yoga meets you wherever you are. It’s not about being flexible or mastering advanced poses — it’s about healing.” Having battled asthma as a child and experiencing the transformative power of yoga after her accident, she’s proof of that. “Even if all you do is show up on the mat and take a few conscious breaths, that’s already a win.” With a career that keeps her constantly on the move, how does she maintain balance? “For me, balance is non-negotiable. My time with my dog is sacred, and I always make time for our walks. I also love my chamomile tea before bed, or doing breathwork in the morning.

“However, more than balance, I think the key is self-awareness. Some days are busier than others, and balance can feel elusive. So instead of forcing myself into rigid routines, I listen to my body and mind.”

From battling life’s curveballs to redefining celebrity fitness, Parwani has carved out a space where yoga is more than just a practice — it’s a way of life.

If there’s one thing she would tell her younger self before that very first yoga class? “Enjoy every moment. Have fun, embrace the journey, and of course, breathe well.”