Sara Tendulkar, 28, recently opened up about her fitness routine, particularly Pilates, following a back injury she suffered about 12 years ago. “I have had a back injury for about 12 years. I have a disc issue. I have always done strength training. I used to do strength training, but I felt it was hurting my back a little. I still do strength training, but I also incorporated Pilates in my routine. So, I do a couple or three days of Pilates and a couple of days of strength training. I felt like it just helped me with my back pain,” Sara said.
During the conversation, Sara also mentioned that she loves to work out in the morning. “I am more of a morning workout person. And then my work starts,” said Sara.
Admitting that she has been “travelling too much lately”, she mentioned, “But for the most part, I am regular”.
According to the entrepreneur who has opened her Pilates studio, the practice is “low impact as compared to a gym workout“. “You don’t need shoes. You can wear Pilates socks or even do it barefoot,” Sara told CurlyTales.
Talking about her father, legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and her mother, Anjali, Sara shared that opening up a Pilates studio was a natural move. “They were not very shocked. My parents are very fitness-oriented. They have always been into fitness. They knew what Pilates was. They have seen me do it. So, opening the studio was the next natural step,” Sara shared.
Talking about parental influence, Sara expressed that “both are very different”. “My mother was more strict about academics when we were studying. My dad was more about how to behave, what to do, what to wear. He always says use your freedom in a very responsible manner.”
Do you do Pilates? (Photo: Freepik)
Reflecting on her routine, clinical dietitian and fitness expert Garima Goyal said that a back injury often arises from compensations, a weak core, or misaligned posture. “To manage this, one must work out in the mornings, which not only sets a disciplined tone for the day but also takes advantage of the body’s fresh energy and mobility early on,” said Goyal.
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Pilates is especially beneficial in such a context, Goyal emphasised. “Unlike high-impact or heavy weightlifting routines, Pilates emphasises controlled movement, core engagement, alignment, and stabilisation of the spine. Over time, it can help strengthen the deep muscles around the back and pelvis, improve posture, correct movement patterns, and reduce compensatory stress that aggravates pain. Because the exercises focus on precision and slow muscle activation, they’re less likely to trigger flare-ups yet offer meaningful improvement in functional strength,” Goyal told indianexpress.com.
Goyal shared that combining morning discipline with Pilates offers more than aesthetics. “It’s a therapeutic strategy, a way to nurture her body through mindful movement and a means to ensure that she stays active without aggravating her condition,” said Goyal.
Notably, growing up with fitness-oriented parents is likely to have instilled in her an understanding of consistency, form, and body awareness from a young age. “These values translate into how she approaches exercise now; she doesn’t chase extremes but leans into methods that support longevity and injury prevention,” added Goyal.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
