The series 'Beyond Beauty' delves into the pervasive impact of beauty on every facet of our lives, emphasizing its role as a celebration of individuality and a medium for self-expression. Beauty is a dialogue everyone engages in—both internally and with others—and we're delving into that by examining individuals' personal encounters with it.
Anshuka Parwani is all about finding a balance in life. As the founder of Anshuka Yoga and a celebrity wellness expert, she's teacher to a whole roster of students, including some high profile clients. Then there are layers to her personality that are pleasantly surprising. In addition to being passionate about wellness and wholeness, she's athletic and adventurous - in fact, she was a commercial pilot before she began her yoga journey - and she's a foodie and an ocean lover.
We recently had the chance to speak to her about how she found her way to yoga, good health practices and her favourite beauty practices. Since yoga, she's been looking at things through the lens of spirituality. So where and how does beauty fit in?
Over a quick chat, she gave us her take on her meaning of beauty, mind-body connection and the power of authenticity. Here’s the lowdown!
Tira: As a first question, we’d love to know what beauty means to you, and some of your beauty philosophies…
Anshuka: As cliché as it might sound, beauty to me is authenticity. A mixture of grace, kindness and being your natural self. It’s not only about how you look and the physicality of it, but also about how you represent your truth and the very human aspects of you—your compassion, empathy and warmth, your softness, how comfortable you are with being who you are and the love you have for yourself.
For me beauty is a balance of both, a person’s inside world and the outside. When they’re physically beautiful on the outside, I think that is radiating naturally from somewhere deep within, and those attributes automatically show up in them.
Tira: How come yoga came to pique your imagination? And when did your journey with it begin?
Anshuka: Growing up, I was an athlete. I was always a practicing yogini, doing asana and Pranayama, but just as a form of exercise. I was working as a commercial pilot when I had a near-fatal bike accident which had me bedridden for a year. Yoga actually came into my life as rehab, and it was a huge part of the transformation that happened for me. I always say physical trauma is something you can get over with the help of doctors and medicines, but the mental trauma I experienced was what yoga helped me through. It helped me in ways I can’t put into words. My perspective on everything changed around then and wellness became something I would be passionate about forever. The balance that came into my life one breath at a time and the deep connection that was formed between body, mind and soul—it was truly beautiful.
Tira: Has practising yoga and teaching it as well, changed the way you look at beauty?
Anshuka: Yes and no both! I was blessed with parents who really let me be myself and who taught me self-love early on. I was lucky enough to grow up believing in being true to myself, and that was enough. Once I started teaching, I think that foundation helped me to help my students navigate those waters and work on their own perceptions of beauty.
What yoga really does is it opens up that connection to yourself. It anchors you; it allows you to accept of every part of you. When you practice, your views of how you perceive yourself, others and the world around you also transform, you no longer come from a place of ego.
Tira: Coming to a beauty and self-care routines, as a yoga teacher are you more mindful of them? Are there any connections you find between yoga and beauty?
Anshuka: I feel like mindfulness is something you have to consciously incorporate by being fully present, it’s a moment-to-moment thing. When you are mindful, your awareness and acceptance are heightened.
I try to bring it into everything—from the smallest acts like drinking water to practicing yoga, or spending time with my family. My meditation includes spending time with my dog, and I try to be really present when I’m doing that. I have this night-time ritual where I stay with my breath while doing face yoga coupled with various oils. It’s my way of winding down for the day.
I bring this into my beauty rituals too, I am mindful and less is more for me. I pick according to how I’m feeling on that day. In general, I make sure I feel each emotion and process each sensation, I try to feel and live every single moment.
There definitely is a connection between yoga and beauty: when you practice you tend to tune in, you care more for your mind and body. I also feel like yoga allows us to see that beauty transcends societal norms. It’s more a reflection of who you are inside.
Tira: Any beauty lessons you’ve learned from your students?
Anshuka: My first student at an early age was Kareena Kapoor Khan. I truly learned the meaning of self-love from her. Her unshakeable discipline, the way she practices yoga—she teaches me how to embrace my true self no matter what. I would say all my students inspire me, we push each other and help each other forwards, we build each other up and make sure everyone is taking one step at a time in the right direction.
Tira: Are there any asanas or styles that you find particularly inspiring, beneficial or symbolic to your beauty journey?
Anshuka: All styles of yoga are essentially the same, meaning it’s about how you practice them. So as long as you stay true to that style, you’ll do well. If I had to choose I would pick Surya Namaskar, inversions–especially love them on my FlyFit hammock and breathwork Pranayama. I think Surya Namaskars are incredibly holistic and beneficial because as a sequence they combine various asanas. Surya Namaskar engages the whole body for flexibility, strength and alignment and rejuvenates the body totally. Inversions are something I love for their adrenaline boosting and hormone balancing attributes. And breathwork and pranayama are great for tapping into the nervous system which makes you calm and reduces stress and anxiety.
Tira: Yoga can seem a little intimidating these days. How do you suggest one finds their way on the mat?
Anshuka: Start with a beginner's class. There are so many online options too, now. Try and speak to your teacher, and always practice at your own pace. There is no rush, no pressure and you don’t need to be competitive, instead you can have fun exploring styles, doing different things until you know where you stand and what works for you.
I also feel it is really important to have your own mat! I still have my first mat—which I bought years and years ago. The mat gives so much back to you, having your own feels like having your own copy of a study book.
I think it’s best to start simple – be mindful when you can, throughout the day; be kind and patient with yourself, and just listen to what your body is trying to tell you. And if you’re someone who enjoys working out with friends or group classes, team up with someone like a buddy to join you in a class and practice together.
Tira: How do you combine yogic living with the world of beauty and magazines?
Anshuka: This one’s fairly easy. To be honest, I think the world of beauty has evolved considerably. It’s become about self-love, awareness and meaningfulness already—embracing your natural body, your features and being accountable only to yourself.
Tira: We’d love to know what some of your beauty essentials are.
Anshuka: Other than my practices—Pranayama and gratitude (some of my essentials!) my routine consists of moisturizer, sunscreen and hydration. I apply sunscreen (and reapply it) and drink a lot of liquids and that’s pretty much it!
