The Mentalist

Meet Archana Kapoor Nagpal, a dedicated and passionate Yoga trainer who not only effortlessly wears many hats but her mission extends far beyond teaching poses and breathing techniques. With over a decade of experience, Nagpal has cultivated a unique approach to yoga that integrates physical wellness, mental clarity, and emotional balance. Through her transformative classes designed with inclusivity and personalized attention, Nagpal has helped many overcome physical limitations, reduce stress, and discover a deeper sense of purpose and well-being. Her belief in building a supporting community that encourages personal growth is not just teaching yoga, but also changing lives, one mindful breath at a time.

Yoga is the best pill for mental health. Mental freedom is about being who you are and dropping the expectations of others.”

Thus making this practice a conscious choice to adopt and consider it not only “for losing weight but to gain life.”

“Yoga is the best pill for mental health. Mental freedom is about being who you are and dropping the expectations of others. It involves quieting the voices of others around us for the sake of ourselves,” says Nagpal, a life coach and a child development specialist.

Wind beneath wings

Although Nagpal juggles many roles, her conscious effort in her training is more focused on motivating people to be educated about anything they choose to immerse themselves in. “Education itself is an achievement. It doesn’t matter how many degrees or qualifications one has, what matters is how kind, generous and empathetic one is toward fellow human beings,” says the art therapist, who through her practices helps people create a better vision for themselves and overcome self-doubt and negative thinking.

While Nagpal’s illustrious profile looks admirable and compelling, nothing has come her way easily. It took 15 years of wait and 13 surgeries for Nagpal to get onto her feet to fulfil her dreams.

“It took me so much of enduring to realize my true calling of coaching young minds and defining lives through Yoga,” expresses the former  Mrs India finalist. 

Healing hands

Working toward holistic health, Nagpal’s primary intention with her work is to help people deal with mental health issues. She says, social media has caused more than ever challenges with individual happiness. “Today, there is a lot of influence of social media on individuals. We start comparing our lives with others. It impacts our peace of mind. Earlier people would keep their things private but now we want to announce everything to the world,” expresses the TEDx speaker. She continues, “This constant exposure and comparison can lead to increased stress and anxiety which affects mental health. To be physically fit, one should be mentally fit.”  

Through her NGO, Nagpal is working toward Educational Sponsorship for up to 15 children a year and Menstrual Hygiene.

To enhance the quality of life, Nagpal suggests practicing mindfulness and gratitude. “It will help maintain a healthier perspective and enhance overall well-being. Prioritizing self-care and limiting exposure to social media can significantly improve mental health,” she suggests.

Advocate of change

Precisely, in her sessions, she helps people overcome self-doubt and negative thinking. She uses methods like mindfulness and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) to help her clients think clearly and stay emotionally strong. Her goal is to help people feel confident and capable of achieving their goals. This, she intends to achieve through her Awespire Foundation founded in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

“There was no specific reason to start an NGO but I found it a way to address the causes I relate to. It was a tough time for everyone and there was a need to stand with humility and humanity,” says the author.

Through her NGO, Nagpal is working toward Educational Sponsorship for up to 15 children a year and Menstrual Hygiene. Through these initiatives, her foundation is making significant strides towards building a more equitable and informed society..

Over the years, Nagpal, with her work in many areas, has penned her experiences in more than a hundred journals and eight books. Her writing has been translated into seven different languages across the world. She also received a mention by Hindi Sahitya Academy for her first article inspired by her life. Some of her popular books are ‘14 Pearls of Inspiration’, ‘The Road to a Positive Life’, and ‘A Haiku Per Day’, amongst many others.