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India’s foremost Pilates expert and celebrity trainer, Yasmin Karachiwala, has spent over three decades redefining fitness in India. Known for her science-backed, mind-body approach, she has made Pilates synonymous with strength, balance, and mindful movement. A pioneer and India’s first BASI-certified Pilates instructor, Yasmin Karachiwala introduced the practice to the country and has since trained stars like Alia Bhatt, Katrina Kaif, Deepika Padukone, Ananya Panday, and Hrithik Roshan. Through her bestselling books and studios across India and abroad, she continues to promote movement that prioritises longevity over aesthetics. With the launch of her new Yasmin Karachiwala’s Body Image (YKBI) studio in Delhi’s Rajinder Nagar, in collaboration with Sadhir Wellness Pvt. Ltd., Yasmin brings her signature Pilates philosophy to the capital, making holistic fitness more accessible than ever. In an exclusive conversation with News18, she opens up about the evolution of Pilates, the role of AI in wellness, social media-driven fitness trends, and what it truly means to be fit today. If you had to design a 10-minute Pilates for Busy Millennials routine, what would it include? Fitness should be accessible. My Perfect 10 workout includes: 1 minute of deep breathing, 2 minutes of spine articulation (roll down), 2 minutes of core work (single/double leg stretch), 2 minutes of glute activation (bridge or hip lift), 2 minutes of upper-body stretches (mermaid or seated twist), and 1 minute of cool-down. All you need is a mat and water. If you ask someone, ‘Can you spare 10 minutes?’ — the answer is always yes. You introduced Pilates to India. What’s been the biggest shift in how people understand and practice it today? When I brought Pilates to India, it was a niche concept. People saw it as slow stretching. Today, they understand it’s about core strength, posture, and longevity. That’s the biggest shift: Pilates is now seen as movement for life, not just a workout. It’s something you do to feel strong, aligned, and pain-free. You’ve trained everyone from Alia Bhatt to Katrina Kaif to Deepika Padukone. What do these women have in common when it comes to mindset? Consistency. No matter how hectic their schedules are, they show up. They also respect their bodies. They don’t chase quick fixes. Each of them approaches fitness holistically: movement, nutrition, recovery, and mental well-being. That’s what truly sets them apart. How do you personally define a “fit body” today? Has that definition changed? Absolutely. Earlier, “fit” meant lean and toned. Today, I define fitness as freedom – the ability to move without pain, to live with energy, and to do what you love at any age. It’s less about aesthetics, more about function and joy. Yasmin Karachiwala demonstrates a Pilates exercise at the new YKBI studio in Delhi. “Hot-girl wellness,” “that-girl routines,” “clean-girl aesthetics” – what’s your view on these social media wellness trends? They can inspire people to get started, which is great. But wellness isn’t a look — it’s how you feel. It’s energy, balance, and your body being a safe, strong home. If wellness becomes just Instagram-worthy, we lose the essence. The conversation should shift from how it looks to how it feels. The metaverse, VR workouts, AI-generated plans – what’s your take on AI in fitness? Technology helps with accessibility, tracking, and personalisation. But movement is deeply human – how you feel and respond can’t be programmed. AI is a complement, not a replacement, especially in Pilates, where precision and alignment are key. Your body doesn’t compute metrics; it responds.
