Mum-to-be Deepika Padukone works out not to ‘look good’ but to ‘feel fit’, the actress said on Wednesday, sharing that she follows a simple five-minute exercise even when she cannot fit in a full workout.
Sharing a picture showing her practising the Viparita Karani asana as part of her daily self-care routine, the actress shared a long note about Self-Care Month on Instagram. “I love a good workout. I don’t work out to ‘look good’ but to ‘feel fit’. Exercise has been part of my lifestyle for as long as I can remember,” she wrote.
“However, when I can’t fit in a workout, I practise this simple 5-minute routine. I do this every day, whether I work out or not. It’s especially useful after a long flight or just to decompress,” reads her note.
The Kalki 2898 AD actress went on to highlight the benefits of one of her favourite yoga postures — Viparita Karani Asana or Legs-Up-The-Wall Pose. Deepika explained the benefits of the asana, emphasising its role in calming the nervous system, boosting immune health and aiding in detoxification.
“In Sanskrit, viparita means ‘inverted’ and karani translates to ‘in action’. This active inversion position is also called the restful inversion. Lying with your legs up against the wall can benefit your mental and physical health. From calming the nervous system to strengthening immune health, this ancient posture offers so much, especially in our stressful and busy world,” she wrote.
Deepika also underlined the benefits of the posture for pregnant women. “When pregnant (use a bolster or cushion for support), it relieves aching muscles, joints, and swollen ankles and feet. It reduces pressure on the lower back and relieves feelings of heaviness and fatigue in the legs and hips. It alleviates water retention. It helps reduce swelling and discomfort in the ankles and feet,” she wrote.
To make self-care more engaging, Deepika invited her followers to share their own self-care routines. "DM @82e.official a picture or video of a self-care act you’d like to incorporate into your routine, and you stand a chance to get featured on our page," she added.
In her note, Deepika also advised certain individuals to consult their yoga instructor before performing these asanas. "Those with glaucoma or uncontrollable high blood pressure should avoid this pose," she cautioned.
Deepika’s husband Ranveer Singh reacted to the post. “Works like magic,” he wrote in the comment section.
Deepika and Ranveer had announced their pregnancy in March, shortly after the Pathaan actress attended BAFTA 2024 as a presenter. The actor couple had shared an image of baby clothing and balloons on Instagram with ‘September 2024’ written across it, suggesting that they are expecting their first child in September.
On the work front, Deepika has been earning plaudits from moviegoers for her performance in Nag Ashwin Reddy’s latest dystopian sci-fi epic Kalki 2898 AD. The film also stars Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan and Disha Patani.
Deepika's other upcoming projects include Rohit Shetty’s Singham Again and Farhan Akhtar’s Don 3.
