Actress and model Neetu Chandra, who is known for her performance in movies like Garam Masala, Traffic Signal, No Problem and more, is also a classical dancer, a sportsperson and a fourth Dan black-belt in Taekwondo. The actress is a fitness enthusiast and believes that yoga calms the mind.
In an exclusive chat with Moneycontrol.com on International Yoga Day, Neetu Chandra talks about the influence of yoga on her body and her life. She also shares that yoga increases flexibility and supports muscle recovery.
Neetu has championed fitness and martial arts, but yoga has helped her in different ways over the years.
The actress told us, “As someone who has trained in Taekwondo for most of my life, my body is used to high-impact, intense movement. But yoga brings a kind of stillness and awareness that martial arts alone can’t. I practice Ashtanga yoga about three times a week it improves my flexibility, supports muscle recovery, and teaches me how to breathe through effort. That breathwork helps me in my martial arts forms as well. The two practices beautifully complement each other one gives me power, the other gives me balance.”
When asked what International Yoga Day personally mean to her as someone deeply connected to both physical and mental wellness, she admits, “yoga calms the mind” in this chaotic world.
Neetu shared with Moneycontrol, “To me, International Yoga Day is not just a celebration it's a reminder. A reminder that wellness isn’t only about being physically fit; it’s about being mentally aligned too. I’ve experienced firsthand how yoga calms the mind, centers the spirit, and keeps you focused in today’s chaotic world. On this day, I like to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with the reason I began my wellness journey in the first place.”
The actress addresses people’s belief that yoga is more about flexibility than strength. She also reflects on the role of yoga in building inner strength.
Neetu Chandra shares with us, “Strength isn’t always about visible muscle or how hard you punch. Inner strength discipline, patience, focus those come from within. And yoga teaches that beautifully. As a martial artist, I’ve always relied on mental clarity and control, and yoga sharpens that. Holding a pose, focusing on the breath, it builds a quiet, steady strength that shows up in everything you do, especially in moments of pressure.”
The actress reveals how yoga supported her mental health journey over the years and said, “There are phases in life when no matter how fit you are, your mind feels restless. I’ve had those days too. And yoga has always been my anchor.”
She recalls, “During lockdown, especially, I turned to yoga and meditation to protect not just my body, but my peace. That one hour of quiet, of tuning inward, does wonders. It clears the noise and helps me stay grounded, something I believe every person, not just performers or athletes, needs.”
She also shares a piece of advice to young women who want to begin yoga but feel intimidated or unsure where to start.
Neetu suggested, “Start small. Start slow. Don’t worry about being perfect. Yoga is not a performance, it’s a journey back to yourself. You don’t need fancy clothes or advanced poses.”
“Just find a quiet corner, follow a simple video online, or even begin with breathing. And trust me once you feel that first moment of calm, you’ll come back for more. It’s not about how flexible you are it's about how willing you are to take the first step,” said the actress.
In today's fast-paced world, anxiety and burnout are real concerns, but Neetu uses yoga to ground herself mentally and emotionally.
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She shared with Moneycontrol, “The world moves fast and as actors, athletes, or even just individuals trying to keep up, we often lose connection with ourselves.”
Neetu elaborated, “For me, yoga is that moment of pause. When I sit on the mat, close my eyes, and breathe deeply, I allow myself to come back to the present. It’s like a reset button for my emotions and thoughts. Yoga doesn’t just help me manage stress it helps me rise above it with grace.”
Besides Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Bhojpuri language film industries, Neetu Chandra has also earned global recognition with her Hollywood movies and shows like Never Back Down: Revolt and Gown and Out in Beverly Hills.
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