Deanne Panday is a celebrated fitness expert, health coach blogger & renowned author, who has trained ‘Miss India’s and also helped Bollywood’s star heroines stay in shape. At 52, she is an inspirational role model for those who think it’s impossible to stay and look fit with age.
She is India’s bestselling fitness author with her first book ‘I’m Not Stressed’ – secrets to a calm mind and body. Her second book ‘Shut Up and Train’ – a complete guide for men and women. Recently she launched her third titled Balance: The Secret To True Health And Happiness In 13 Ways. The book focuses on 13 vital elements that lead to a happy and healthy life.
In an elaborate tete-e-tete with Namita Nayyar, President, Women Fitness, Deanne Pandey shares her journey as a celebrity fitness coach,
Your fitness journey started at 12 years of age with Jane Fonda’s videos, but by 20 you were into regular yoga practice. Share the series of events that lead to the same. What particularly attracted you towards yoga practice?
D.P.
My fitness journey began at a deicate age of 11. And that too, with Jane Fonda’s 90-minute workout, because that was trending. Motivated by Jane Fonda’s 90-minute challenge “I was working workout every day not knowing what the future had instored for me”
At 16, was lured towards lifting weights followed by traditional yoga practice a year after. “The aftermath of practicing yoga was what got me drawn into it.”
I would practice each asana, accompanied with breathing and meditation. This is how Yoga happened to me and led to me promoting it for its benefits. Little did people knew the benfit and found it boring, categorizing it for older people.
Next came power yoga. Nobody focused on the body form and alignment, the clients were not breathing properly. Weight loss was on top of the list.
Then Ashtanga, world’s most powerful form of yoga happened to me. Personally, I was not a fan of power yoga. All through via my Instagram handle I encourage yoga with weight training. The right mix of weight training and yoga is the best, thing to do for one’s health.
Namita Nayyar
You are a renowned author, columnist and celebrity trainer extending your services to celebrities like Bipasha Basu, Lara Dutta, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sonakshi Sinha to name a few. How do you go about designing a routine to stay fit? Fitness Mantra you preach and live by?
D.P.
True, I am author of two bestselling books, “I’m Not Stressed” being the first. Random House approached me, to write a book on fitness. I didn’t want to be just another author with a book that was to be on the shelf. I bought time from them for my book.
Running a gym and attending clients with stressed out relationships, careers, financial issues motivated me to write a book. On how yoga, fitness, meditation, breath, self-care, can help beat stress. The book became a national bestseller.
Next was, A Complete Guide for men and women, and I called it “Shut Up and Train”.
My third book “Balance”is out NOW, which happens to be my life’s work. Beautiful & different from the first two books.
After spending over 20 -25 years in the fitness industry passion driven, I experienced the need to extend my knowledge.
My work style is different it totally client-based. We all know every individual is different, with different goals, structure, health status, likes & dislikes. Right? So, the workout is tailor made for both men & women. And of course, the program keeps evolving. It might change every week or every three weeks, month, three months etc.