For Samantha Lockwood, yoga is a way of life, a practice that was organically transferred to her by her parents, who were also avid yoga practitioners in the US, apart from being actors. And it is yoga that brought her to the City of Joy. Looking resplendent in a red lehnga from Rajlakshmi Syam’s collection, the Los Angeles-based actor and yoga enthusiast was in the city for a first of its kind session where yoga asanas were performed on the notes of a piano. The Hawaii Five-0 actor talked to us about yoga and why she is ready to act in Bollywood. Excerpts:

Welcome to Kolkata. Is it your first visit to the city?

Well yes. I have been to India twice. Once in Bangalore and the other time in Mumbai. I have never been to Kolkata and I always had this curiosity to visit the city and I am glad I got this opportunity through Rajlakshmi.

What is yoga for you?

So, yoga for me is a way of life. I have been practising yoga actively ever since I can remember. I mean, really. My mother and my father were both yoga practitioners. So, yoga has been in my life technically before I was even born.

Now that you are in the land where yoga was born, do you intend to update your knowledge on yoga?

My desire isn’t really for doing more advanced asanas. At this point, I think my desire is to maintain my practice, and deepen the postures that I already know. But if I wanted to really devote myself to practising a lot, yes, there are certain postures that I’d like to get really good at.

While in Kolkata Samantha also dropped by Veneto Bar and Kitchen, South City Mall and savoured a special tasting menu. (Right) Samantha poses with Vanita Bajoria, owner of the Italian fine diner and couturier and pianist Rajlakshmi Syam.

So apart from yoga, do you do anything else to stay fit?

I do my own little things like push-ups, sit-ups and others. Also, there are several sports that I like to do, though I don’t get to do them all the time, like snow skiing and hiking. I have lived in Hawaii for many years and I like going back and when I’m there I hike a lot. Being out in nature and walking in the woods and breathing the fresh air is therapeutic.

Last time you visited India you had hinted that you would want to work in Bollywood. Any progress there?

I am still waiting for a good script to come my way and I am positively looking to work in Bollywood. I have been approached for an OTT project but there’s still time for that to materialise. I am working on my Hindi and since I am a perfectionist I would want to do justice to my role. My mom and dad were both actors so acting is in my DNA. My dad, Gary Lockwood is known for the famous science fiction film 2001 A Space Odyssey.

Any other place in India that you have in your must-visit list?

There are different places that I’d like to see. I’d like to see Rishikesh, I’d love to see the Himalayas and I’d love to meet the Dalai Lama and see his ashram. I’d love to go to Kerala and see the blue ocean and rich nature because that’s my favourite type of environment. I’m an ocean baby; I’m like a mermaid you know.