From the quiet Tennis Courts to the bustling Broadway Dance Center in New York, it’s a big jump! Ashna Kanungo’s life has changed not only in terms of places but also in terms of her goals and dreams. When she left the Tennis Courts with a heavy heart, her undeterred spirit found a home in Pilates, without giving up her love for tennis. “I’ve been married to tennis!” she exclaims.
Ashna is a Wellness Coach who claims to be able to naturally manage PCOS. Despite being an avid tennis player, she chose to go down a path that few others would dare to explore -giving her career a unique twist. After shifting to New York, she began her career as a dancer where she discovered her new passion for Pilates and quickly became a master of it. She now goes out to all those who have been victimized by body shaming and encourages them to become the best version of themselves.
With Storiyaan, Ashna shares the ebb and flow of her journey from a tennis player to a dancer and now a master of Pilates. Continue reading to know more.
Ashna Kanungo- The Dancer in Tennis Shoes
Interview
Questions and answers
After years of tennis, you shifted to dancing. What were some of the major factors that influenced this choice?
In India, having a sporting career is challenging because you need solid connections and, most importantly, a decent coach. After a few poor encounters, I stopped playing tennis at the age of 17 and was devastated because I had really worked hard. My parents were advised by a counsellor to put me in anything that would help channel my energies. So that’s how I started into dancing, and then one thing led to another.
When you first arrived at Broadway Dance Centre, what was the biggest culture shock that you encountered?
When it comes to your physical image, personality, likes, and dislikes, or culture, the West is quite accepting. They don’t make fun of you if you’re big or small if you’re fat or thin if you’re tall or short. There is no such thing as a taboo in this sense. That was, at the very least, the biggest cultural shock for me—that I was completely accepted in that society
Can you elaborate for our readers on some of the benefits they can reap from practising pilates?
Pilates which is mostly believed to be for women was actually created by a man named Joseph Pilates for men, and it is now one of the most popular kinds of rehabilitation. If you have or are recovering from an injury, it will help you become more flexible and stronger.
How did Pilates come to be a part of your life and what attracted you to it in the first place?
When I first started dancing at Broadway Dance Centre, they had mandatory Pilates and yoga lessons that you could choose from. I began taking Pilates classes, which were taught by my ballet teacher. For me, it was a huge “wow” moment. It simply astounded me – all you need is your body and you can do a variety of activities. Initially did it for me to improve my dancing and after my knee injury, Pilates just became something I wanted the world to have – that no matter what your injury is, you can still train.
Often people wonder if Yoga is enough for a person to remain in their desired body shape. What is your opinion on it?
Yoga, Pilates, and strength training are all great forms of movement. Fitness, in my opinion, is a combination of all forms of activity. It isn’t just one; you must be dynamic, and things don’t always follow a straight line. So, for me, the ideal form of fitness is when you do everything—yoga, pilates, boxing, swimming—everything.
When you first started AKquilibrium, what were some of the biggest roadblocks that came your way?
The biggest roadblock I faced was gender bias. We have a stigma associated with health coaches, which society has begun to embrace, but it was tough for me to persuade people when I initially started out five years ago. Though, finally, everything began to fall into place, largely due to my parents’ unwavering support and encouragement.
You mentioned that you had been subjected to body-shaming and ridicule from your peers. Can you talk to us a bit about it and how you overcame that?
I don’t think anybody can ever overcome body-shaming from peers and relatives. Personally, I couldn’t but, I have come a long way. I am still learning to accept myself the way I am. I have stopped trying to please people or seek their validation. My tagline by AKquilibrium is “BE YOU”. I am just trying to be the best version of myself and not what others think of me, no matter who they are.
What are some of the major pet peeves of the fitness industry that you have encountered so far in your journey?
There are so many: you must drink limewater on an empty stomach in the morning; you cannot eat dinner after 6 p.m., especially carbs; you must count every calorie you consume throughout the day, and you must limit yourself to certain meals. Restriction, I believe, is my biggest pet hate. Also, spot reduction, such as removing fat from just your arms. There is no such thing that can happen.
You mentioned that you believe in a holistic approach to dealing with PCOS and anxiety disorder. Can you elaborate a bit on that?
PCOS and anxiety can both be treated with a holistic approach. I’m not implying that medicine is ineffective. Of course, if you need it, medicine is the only way to get better faster. However, if you have a throat infection and your doctor prescribes medicine, but you continue to eat golgappas, drink cold water, and eat ice cream, the prescription will not work. Similarly, no matter how much medication you take, if you don’t remove toxicity from your environment, your PCOS and anxiety will not recover the way they should.
What are some of the most common problems that you see your clients struggling with, especially after the lockdown?
Most of my clients struggle with communication. We got so habituated to the virtual world that organic interactions are becoming difficult. I think that’s where when I make them do yoga, they really understand and they feel the changes in their body. Because a lot of suppressed emotions come out and get channelised in the right direction.
Quick 5
- Favourite dance form– Hip-hop any day!
- Tennis or Pilates- Tennis of course
- How many days a week should one workout– Depends on your lifestyle and fitness goals, but ideally 3-4 times a week alternatingly is sufficient.
- One food habit you forbid people from following– leaving carbs
- Keto for the long term – yay or nay- Never!
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If you have been procrastinating about working out, this is your sign. Ashna with her virtual workout sessions can be your perfect coach. Reach out to her through her Instagram linked below and book your session!
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