Malaika Arora shares the 3 yoga poses that help her get a toned body
If you just spend all your time doing cardio or abs, neglecting other body parts, then you can never get the body of your dreams. A perfect body needs to proportionate and only an overall workout plan can help you achieve that. In fact, our favourite yogini, Malaika Arora, agrees with that!
In her latest Instagram post, Malaika Arora got candid about her favourite yoga poses that help her achieve a super toned body. The simple reason she is in love with these yoga poses is that they work on her overall body.
Here’s what the Chhaiya Chhaiya beauty said in her Insta post!
“Namaste Everyone!
Hope you all had a great weekend! This week we have, not 1, not 2, but 3 #MalaikasMoveOfTheWeek that are one of my personal favourite go-to poses! These poses holistically works on your overall body and helps in toning the body with consistent practice.”
Here are the 3 yoga poses recommended by Malaika:
1. Vrikshasana (Tree pose)
“Helps to bring balance to your mind and body. It makes your legs stronger and is a great hip opener,” she wrote in her post.
Here’s how you can do it:
1. Stand with your feet together, keep your back straight and chin slightly lifted up. It might be a little difficult but try to balance your energies by finding your centre. Basically, just keep your core a little tight for better stability.
2. Now, keep your arms firmly by the sides of your body. Inhale slowly and exhale gently to feel the weight of your body equally distributed between both your feet. Try to stay as steady as you can.
3. Slowly shift your weight onto your right foot. Bend your left knee and hold it by the ankle for support. Now, gently place the sole of the left foot on the inner right thigh.
4. Don’t forget to keep your back straight, otherwise, you might trip and fall. Now, find a spot in front of you and focus on it to maintain balance.
5. Now, put gentle pressure into the inner right thigh with your left foot to maintain your balance. Keep pushing your left knee out while pointing your hips to the front of the room.
6. Now, join your palms in front of your chest. Take 5 to 10 deep breaths, keeping yourself still and feel calm.
7. With an exhale, slowly support your ankle with your left palm, if required, to release the left leg back. Now, slowly bring your hands down and repeat on the other side.
2. Naukasana (Boat pose)
“This pose is excellent to burn stubborn fat around the belly and is a great practice to strengthen hip flexors and back muscles,” wrote Malaika.
Here’s how you can do it:
1. Sit on a mat with your legs stretched out in front of you, and your hands on your side.
2. Now, bend your knees and raise your legs. Straighten your legs and push your upper body away from your legs.
3. When your thighs and your upper body make a ‘V’, stretch out your arms, and hold the pose for at least 10 breaths.
4. Now, slowly move towards the starting position and relax.
3. Utkatasana (Chair pose)
“Strengthens calves, back, and hip flexors. It also helps with stimulating the heart and abdominal organs,” suggests Malaika.
Here’s how you can do it:
1. First, stand straight.
2. Join your palms to make the namaste gesture at your heart chakra, and raise your arms up.
3. Bend your knees and slowly lower your pelvis.
4. Keep your pelvis parallel to the floor, bending your knees at a 90-degree angle.
5. Align your ankles and knees in one straight line. Focus your gaze on your palms.
6. Ensure that your spine remains erect.
You can practice these yoga poses as a flow or can take up one for each day. All these poses need to be held to reap the benefits. So, try to hold each one of them for at least 30 seconds or more.
Do at least five repetitions of each one of these for a month and feel the change in your body!