As A yoga and naturopathy Doctor, we often speak of the Transformative power of mind-body practices. Sometimes, real-life stories illuminate this better than any textbook explanation. The recent insights shared by chess world champion D. Gukesh (Grandmaster) offer a compelling story. It is a journey from impulsivity to composure. It shows his shift from frustration to focus. All of this was achieved through meditation and simple yogic discipline.
The Making of a Champion: Not Just on the Chessboard
Gukesh, now celebrated as the youngest world champion in chess history, candidly revealed in a recent interview. He shared that his early chess years were marked by emotional volatility. “I was always like a very impulsive, very short-tempered kid. I used to throw tantrums and not manage my emotions,” he admits. This lack of emotional control affected his tournament results. A single loss would derail his focus for the games that followed.
This phase is familiar to many – athlete or otherwise. Stress, disappointment, and the inability to reset can set the stage for a spiral of defeat. Recognizing this, Gukesh turned to meditation and basic yoga practices. He reflects, “I just realized that I should manage my emotions better. That’s when I started doing some good practices like meditation and yoga, which really helped me to manage my emotions. It not only helps in chess but all walks of life”.
The Practices: Simplicity Over Complexity
One of the most relatable aspects of Gukesh’s testimony is his humility (the quality of not thinking that you are better than other people) Regarding yoga. He does not claim mastery. Nor does he practice advanced asanas. In his words, “I just do very simple and basic movement while focusing on breathing. Most of it is related to meditation. I don’t really know much about yoga. I just know some basics and I do that at work”. This echoes the classical naturopathic and yogic belief: the power lies in consistency and sincerity, not complexity.
Key Practices Anyone Can Incorporate:
- Basic breath awareness: Simple mindful breathing, especially under stress, brings immediate calm.
- Gentle movement: Foundation asanas (like Tadasana or Sukhasana) ground the mind and body.
- Emotion observation: A core aspect of meditation is acknowledging emotional surges without reacting. This skill is invaluable both on and off the chessboard.
Mindset Beyond Competition: Chasing Excellence and Humanity
Despite ascending the chess world, Gukesh’s ambitions remain grounded in continuous growth. He shares that after achieving his childhood dream of the world championship, the real chase began. He aimed to become the undisputed best. More importantly, he focused on continuing to improve as a person. His humility shows a deep commitment to personal development. This attitude reflects yogic wisdom. The ultimate pursuit is mastery over the self.
He credits these ground values to his upbringing. He emphasizes the influence of his mother. This serves as a gentle reminder that emotional intelligence is cultivated, not simply inherent.
Lessons from Gukesh’s Story
As a yoga and naturopathy expert, I have seen transformation stories echoing through diverse walks of life. Gukesh’s experience offers three universal takeaways:
- Everyone starts somewhere: Expertise is not a prerequisite for beginning meditation or yoga. Simple practices, done regularly, yield profound results.
- Emotional mastery amplifies all success: Whether in competition, career, or relationships, how we process setbacks determines our trajectory.
- The journey matters as much as the destination: Staying rooted in humility is important. Curiosity and self-improvement are also key. These qualities are the true hallmark of greatness.
Practical Tips for Readers
If you resonate with Gukesh’s story and wish to integrate similar practices:
- Begin with just 5 minutes of discrete Breathwork daily.
- Choose 1-2 basic asanas to practice each morning – focus on experience over perfection.
- After any stressful event, pause and observe rather than act. Use that moment for a centering breath.
- Never underestimate the role of daily reflection – journaling is a yogic tool too.
Also Read: Harness Gratitude and Vision to Shape Your Good Future
Remember, as Gukesh demonstrates, yoga’s greatest victory is internal. It includes the calm mind and the reset after adversity. It also involves the steady pursuit of being both a winner and a good human being.
Let us carry this lesson from the chessboard to the everyday board of life.
References:
- Indian Express (2025): Gukesh reveals how meditation changed him from ‘impulsive, short-tempered kid’ to calm world champion.indianexpress
- Times of India (2025): D Gukesh shares how meditation changed his chess and life.timesofindia.indiatimes
- Firstpost (2025): Gukesh reveals he wasn’t always a calm kid, credits meditation and yoga for turnaround.firstpost
Share this:
Discover more from Indian Yoga and Naturopathy Centre
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
