Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned 76 on September 17, with his birthday drawing attention to several aspects of his daily routine. Over the years, Modi has spoken publicly about his approach to fitness and wellness, including yoga, walking, breathing exercises and fasting.
Here are five habits he has discussed in public interactions and social media posts.
1. Yoga as part of his fitness routine
Yoga has featured prominently in Modi’s publicly shared exercise routine. In 2018, after accepting former Indian cricketer Virat Kohli’s fitness challenge, Modi shared a glimpse of his morning activities.
The routine included yoga, walking and breathing exercises. At the time, he also encouraged people to set aside some time every day for physical fitness.
Yoga has remained a recurring theme in Modi’s public discussions about maintaining an active lifestyle.
2. Regular walking
Walking is another form of physical activity that Modi has highlighted. In the 2018 video, he was seen walking on a track inspired by the five elements, or Panchtatva — Prithvi, Jal, Agni, Vayu and Aakash.
He described the experience as refreshing and encouraged people to include some form of physical activity in their daily schedules.
Walking can also provide a relatively simple way of staying active without requiring specialised gym equipment.
3. Breathing exercises
Breathing exercises have also been part of the routine Modi has publicly shared. Alongside yoga and walking, he demonstrated breathing practices in the 2018 fitness video.
Such exercises are often associated with yoga and practices such as pranayama. However, individual techniques may not be suitable for everyone, and breathing exercises should not be considered a replacement for medical treatment or professional health advice.
4. Fasting for several decades
Fasting is another long-standing practice Modi has discussed. During a conversation with podcaster Lex Fridman, he spoke about having followed fasting practices for decades.
Modi said he had been fasting for around 50 to 55 years. He also described preparing for fasting through practices associated with Ayurveda and yoga and paying attention to hydration.
His fasting pattern can vary depending on occasions such as Navratri and Chaturmas. He has previously described periods when his intake was limited to hot water, as well as periods involving fruits.
Fasting, however, affects people differently and may not be appropriate for everyone, particularly those with certain medical conditions or nutritional requirements.
5. Discipline and consistency
Beyond individual exercises or dietary practices, discipline has been a recurring theme in Modi’s descriptions of his lifestyle.
His publicly discussed routine combines physical activity with dietary practices that he says he has maintained over a long period. Rather than pointing to one particular exercise or food, he has often spoken about consistency and maintaining habits over time.
At 76, these accounts offer a glimpse into the personal wellness practices Modi has described publicly. They should not be treated as a universal formula for healthy ageing.
For most people, maintaining regular physical activity, eating a varied and nutritious diet, getting adequate sleep and undergoing age-appropriate health check-ups are important parts of overall wellbeing. Individual exercise and dietary routines should be adapted to personal health needs, preferably with professional guidance.
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