Karate kid: Kunal Kapoor
By:
Upala
KBR,
Mid-Day
Thursday,
May
11,
2006
After
playing
Aslam
in
Rang
De
Basanti,
Kunal
Kapoor
is
now
on
the
lookout
for
meatier
parts.
The actor keeps himself busy with his two pet passions - the Art of Living, and Goju-Ryu karate - a form of martial arts that he practices religiously, with the help of a trainer, thrice a week. Kunal talks about his fascination for the alternative, finding mental focus and keeping calm...
Were
you
always
inclined
toward
spirituality?
Yes.
I
find
alternative
things
very
fascinating.
I
love
reading
books
on
philosophy
and
spirituality.
I
have
been
learning
martial
arts
for
a
while
now.
The
style
I'm
learning,
is
Goju-Ryu
karate.
I
learn
from
my
teacher,
Adil,
who
comes
home
to
teach
me
for
an
hour
and
15
minutes,
thrice
a
week.
Prior to this, I was learning Tai Chi. I also go to the gym regularly, but focus more on freehand exercises, than on weights. As a form, Tai Chi is more meditative. I have a childlike fantasy to be a Shaolin monk; I find them really fascinating.
What
about
the
Art
of
Living?
I
got
into
the
Art
of
Living
course
about
10
years
ago,
but
couldn't
practice
regularly.
I
lost
touch
as
I
was
dabbling
in
a
lot
of
other
things.
I was introduced to it by a relative of mine, Sangeeta Jani. It was only in the last couple of years that I have taken it up again, and have been doing it regularly, since.
Tell
us
more
about
it.
Art
of
Living
centres
around
a
really
powerful
breathing
technique,
called
the
Sudarshan
kriya.
It
has
helped
me
tremendously,
physically
and
mentally.
It's
given
me
a
sense
of
calm
and
focus.
Also,
in
today's
hyper
world,
you
tend
to
get
disconnected
from
yourself.
Guruji's (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar) teachings have enriched me, and given me a new perspective toward life and myself. It consists of a basic and an advanced course; the latter includes keeping a maun vrat for four days.
Do
you
practice
every
day?
Yes,
for
half
an
hour.
Will
you
attend
Guruji's
birthday
celebrations
on
May
13?
No,
unfortunately
not.
I
would
have
loved
to,
but
I
am
working
that
day.
Why
aren't
we
seeing
you
in
more
films?
I
am
just
trying
to
stick
to
my
track
record
of
one
film
every
two
years.
There
are
a
couple
of
things
that
I
am
in
the
process
of
finalising.
I
am
taking
my
time
doing
things,
that's
all.
I
am
dying
to
start
shooting
again,
though.
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