Shakuntala Devi’s secret to weight loss at 87: How simple yoga asanas helped her shed 83 kg in a year

Shakuntla Devi, 87, revealed her weight loss journey during the show and also mentioned how she went down from 123 to 40 kg (Screengrabs: @minexspace/Instagram)

While there is no one-size-fits-all method for weight loss, yoga is known to have a profound impact on people’s lives, not only for shedding extra kilos but also for curing several health issues that may otherwise seem difficult or impossible. A video of 87-year-old Shakuntala Devi from the second season of the comedy-based cooking show Laughter Chefs supports this.

In the now-viral reel, she reveals more about her weight loss journey and how she went down from 123 to 40 kg. She also performed different yoga asanas on screen. Her infectious energy, immense flexibility, and great strength floored the contestants, while the caption highlighted how she now “lives with the energy of someone five decades younger.”

Although she has dedicated her life to yoga, the journey wasn’t easy for Devi, who hails from Amritsar. “Back in 2008, she struggled as her weight shot up unexpectedly, and she developed vision problems that made daily life difficult. Sitting helplessly, she often wondered if there was any cure without medicines,” read the caption.

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A post shared by 𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐘𝐀 ᥫ᭡. (@minexspace)

Miraculously, around the same time, Devi started watching Baba Ramdev do yoga on television and began practicing simple asanas at home, which turned her life around. Not only this, she went a step further and travelled to Haridwar to learn yoga at Patanjali Yogpeeth in 2009, where she would wake up at 4 am and practice daily.

Shakuntala Devi stayed committed to her fitness goal and maintained her 4 am routine. Unsurprisingly, it didn’t take her long to revive her health. Yoga gave her a new lease on life. Today, she no longer uses it just to stay fit but also teaches yoga to others. For her, it’s all about having a strong will.

The internet was all praise for the 87-year-old, with many calling her an “inspiration.” Another lauded her, saying, “Unbelievable! She is so disciplined and has a strong willpower!” Several others dropped heart and clap emojis in the comments.