From Bosnia to New Delhi, Vesna Pericevic Jacob has carved out an identity for herself. Vesna is a trained nurse, physiotherapist, author and most importantly has turned her passion for fitness into a career in Delhi. Known as the ‘Princess of pilates’, this 37-year-old is a fitness trainer for some of the most well known names in politics, art, literature and business but refuses to discuss her powerful and famous clients. It’s difficult to get a membership to her fitness studio, Vesna Fitness Centre, as her personalised training regimen and strict adherence to theory has caught the imagination of her clients.
“In this capital city where life is increasingly becoming complex, people don’t spare much thought to a regular regimen of exercise. They have time for everything but no dedicated time for a workout. I am a holistic trainer. My client’s physical fitness is just as important to me as is his or her emotional and spiritual well being and my fitness training program is a 360 degree approach to good health “, says Vesna. She feels that anything you do to the body is an exercise and there is no bad exercise; it’s just that it’s done incorrectly. Therefore, one must learn to use one’s body optimally to achieve health and fitness.
Vesna’s interest in pilates peaked when she was recovering from a knee injury while playing professional basketball in Germany. It was like a missing link to a perfect workout. Very soon she excelled at pilates and started teaching friends. Her training as a nurse and physiotherapist helped her to solve problems in the gym during workout sessions and they became vastly popular. “I am exotic to look at and people were interested in what I had to teach in a simple, practical fashion. The body excites me and I am always interested in finding out how to move better”, says Vesna with a smile.
Her friendship with filmmaker Anurag Jacob on the internet started her on a journey of romance which led her to Delhi. Anurag took her on a guided tour of the old and New Delhi. Vesna at once knew that she had come home. Delhi, and India, was a natural choice for her to begin a new life with Anurag. She not only gained fame as a pilates trainer but also addressed women’s security issues by writing a book ‘Fight to Fit’, a manual on self defence techniques, helpline number, mobile applications and laws pertaining to violence against women. Vesna has also taken up the cause of violence and discrimination faced by women from the North Eastern states. She is the CEO of Chhoo Mantr, a company that provides high-end beauty and spa service at your doorstep. It is an umbrella organisation for women who come from the North-East in search of employment. They are trained in spa therapy and beauty care and eventually become shareholders of the company.
“Girls from the North East are treated so poorly, looked down upon and exploited. I employ only women from these States. They are given provident fund, insurance and a stake in the company. I have ten women therapists working now and the feedback from our clients is really great. I want my team members to learn to drive so that they drive themselves for appointments without any hassle. They all have undergone training in self defence techniques”, says Vesna. Her therapists provide service only to women and couples and the last treatment is scheduled not beyond 7 p.m. keeping security and safety concern for therapists in mind. This two-year old initiative to provide avant garde home spa and beauty care has received great response and the company has a long list of dedicated clients. In fact, Vesna feels that by hiring the wellness angels for a therapy, the clients are supporting a cause to empower those who are mistreated and considered as outsiders.
So what’s next? Vesna says she is working on a book on spirituality. And what would she call the secret to her well toned body and boundless energy? Get adequate sleep, drink lots of water, listen to your body, set aside quiet time for yourself and most importantly, eat clean and lean.
