DR CHANDRA NANTHAKUMAR

1 WHAT IS YOUR WEEKLY EXERCISE ROUTINE?

I do classical yoga (asanas, pranayama, dharana and dhyana) every day. I also do brisk walking for 45 minutes at least once a week.

2 WHAT IS YOUR FITNESS AIM? 3 ARE YOU A GYM JUNKIE OR AN OUTDOOR EXERCISER?

I like to brisk walk but yoga is a must for me. If I go to the gym, it is to do yoga.

4 HOW DO YOU GET OVER BEING TOO LAZY TO EXERCISE?

I always look forward to exercising, even when I am on holiday. My family thinks I am crazy.

5 WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE WORKOUT?

Doing yoga asanas like the shoulder and the head stand.

6 WHAT IS THE MOST DRASTIC THING YOU’VE DONE WHEN IT COMES TO EXERCISE?

Waking up at 4am to do the shatkarmas (detox) and yoga asanas while everyone is fast asleep.

7 WHAT IS YOUR TYPICAL BREAKFAST?

Hot chocolate and an egg-mayo croissant sandwich.

8 WHAT IS THE ONE JUNK FOOD YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT?

I abstain from junk food. Gave it up decades ago.

9 HOW LONG DO YOU SLEEP AT NIGHT?

Five to six hours.

10 WHAT’S THE FIRST THING YOU DO AFTER YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING?

I start by doing side stretches followed by forward-bending asanas.

11 HOW MANY HOURS DO YOU WORK OUT IN THE MORNING? 12 HOW DO YOU RECOVER FROM A HARD WORKOUT?

I do yoga nidra for deep relaxation.

13 HOW DO YOU PREVENT INJURY?

I am constantly focused on every single movement while doing the asanas. The most crucial thing in yoga is to coordinate the movements with your breathing. At the same time, my body signals me when to stop or when to go deeper into the pose.

14 WHAT IS YOUR

ADVICE TO GET PEOPLE TO EXERCISE?

Get started right away with simple stretches. Side stretches, and forward and backward bends are good for a start. Just interlace your fingers and invert them above your head. As you inhale, stretch the hands vertically upwards and hold the pose for five counts. As you exhale, bring the hands down and place them above your head. Repeat this a couple of times. Similarly, do it sideways.

15 WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE SOURCE OF PROTEIN AND WHY?

Nuts like almonds and hazel. I like the taste and I think they are healthy.

16 WHAT’S THE ONE THING THAT EXERCISE HAS TAUGHT YOU?

Discipline and focus. I am constantly aware of what I do.

17 WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE TIME TO EXERCISE?

Between 4am and 6am.

18 DO YOU LISTEN TO MUSIC WHILE EXERCISING? WHAT DO YOU LISTEN TO?

I don’t listen to music while doing yoga. Instead, I listen to my inner self.

19 DO YOU PREFER TO EXERCISE INDIVIDUALLY OR IN A GROUP?

Either is fine. I get to focus on myself when I do it alone. In a group, I get to help others do the asanas correctly.