International Yoga Day celebrates yoga's global appeal, not just among Indians but also among Hollywood stars. While yoga originates from ancient India, its popularity has surged in recent times for its physical and mental health benefits.
On International Yoga Day 2024, let's take a look at the top international celebrities, like Jennifer Aniston, Sting, Kate Hudson and others who swear by yoga and often share their passion with the world.
1. Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer Aniston, known for her role in Friends, didn't immediately take to yoga. In a 2006 interview with Self magazine, she recalled attending a yoga class years ago where she found it too crowded, hot, and sweaty. She thought she could get a better workout from running and find better meditation by sitting quietly alone. Instead, she used a treadmill or elliptical to stay fit. It wasn't until February 2005, just after her divorce from Brad Pitt, that she started working with fitness trainer Mandy Ingber and discovered yoga's appeal. Aniston explained that she wasn't just trying to get in physical shape but also to find mental clarity and peace. She noticed her legs became leaner and her arms stronger with yoga. Now at 55, she continues to practice yoga regularly.
2. Kate Hudson
The actress incorporates daily movement into her routine. She enjoys walking, using the treadmill, and practising Pilates. She also mentioned in a 2021 interview with People magazine that she particularly loves hot yoga when she has the time.
3. Madonna
The 65-year-old singer sees yoga as a reflection of life itself. In a 2019 interview with Life & Style, she emphasized the importance of taking yoga slowly and not rushing through poses. Madonna believes yoga teaches you to face challenging situations without self-judgment, emphasizing its benefits for mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.
4. Sting
Sting is a strong supporter of Vinyasa flow yoga, and it has been a significant part of his life, especially in his relationship with his wife, Trudie Styler, whom he has been with for over three decades. They practice yoga together, which has deepened their bond and their spiritual connection.
During his 2010 Symphonicities tour, where he performed orchestral versions of his solo and Police songs with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sting integrated yoga into his routine. He spent 40 minutes before performances leading the orchestra in yoga sessions that included chanting and meditation.
5. Gwyneth Paltrow
In a Wall Street Journal interview in 2018, Academy Award winner Gwyneth Paltrow mentioned, “I remember when I started doing yoga and people were like, ‘what is yoga? She’s a witch. She’s a freak.’”
She also hinted that she played a role in making yoga more popular in the Western world. Paltrow expressed surprise during a yoga class when someone asked if she had ever practiced yoga before, “Forgive me if this comes out wrong, I went to do a yoga class in Los Angeles and the 22-year-old girl behind the counter was like, ‘Have you ever done yoga before?’ And literally I turned to my friend, and I was like, ‘You have this job because I have done yoga before.’”
