Marking International Yoga Day, actress and nutrition advocate Bhagyashree encouraged people to look beyond their actual age and assess how fit their bodies truly are. Through a video shared on Instagram, she demonstrated a series of simple exercises designed to evaluate balance, flexibility, mobility and breathing key factors linked to healthy ageing.
"Growing older is unavoidable, but staying active and resilient is something we can work towards every day," she wrote alongside the post.
A Quick Fitness Check for Healthy Ageing
In the video, Bhagyashree introduced what she described as a simple fitness challenge, claiming that "90 per cent of people fail this test". She explained that a person's "real age" is often reflected by their physical fitness rather than the number of years they have lived.
The first exercise focused on balance, an important aspect of maintaining independence and reducing the risk of falls later in life. Participants were asked to hold a balancing position for 10 seconds. Those who succeeded could award themselves one point.
She then moved on to flexibility, highlighting its role in supporting lower back health. Bhagyashree advised viewers to stretch only as far as they felt comfortable, stressing that flexibility should be developed gradually rather than forced.
The next challenge assessed shoulder mobility. According to Bhagyashree, good shoulder movement is essential for everyday tasks such as dressing, lifting objects and reaching overhead.
The Importance of Breathing Correctly
Bhagyashree also emphasised the value of proper breathing techniques, noting that many adults tend to breathe incorrectly without realising it.
Demonstrating diaphragmatic breathing, she instructed viewers to place one hand on their chest and the other on their abdomen. As they inhale, the abdomen should expand outward rather than the chest rising excessively.
She explained that this technique allows the lungs to expand more fully, improving oxygen intake and helping the body function more efficiently.
Yoga for Long Term Wellbeing
Concluding her message, Bhagyashree highlighted yoga as a simple yet effective practice for supporting healthy ageing. She encouraged people of all ages to incorporate yoga into their daily routines to improve mobility, balance, strength and overall wellbeing.
On International Yoga Day, her message served as a reminder that while ageing is inevitable, maintaining physical fitness and resilience remains largely within our control.