They say yoga is all about 'stretching more and stressing less.' June 21 not only marks the peak of the summer but also the celebration of International Yoga Day promoted by the United Nations General Assembly. Yoga has a 5,000 year history in ancient Indian philosophy and is a practice of the mind and the body. This form of exercise is a combination of various postures, breathing techniques and methods of relaxation and meditation. Today marks the worldwide celebration of Yoga.
In more recent years, it has become popular as a form of physical exercise based upon poses that promote improved control of the mind and body and enhance well being. Not only is yoga a good form of exercise, but it has been proven to have various health benefits.
From Malaika Arora Khan to Shilpa Shetty, B-towns fittest divas swear by Yoga as their daily dose of fitness. Bollywood’s hottest mommy Kareena Kapoor Khan, also relied on power yoga to get back in shape and that’s reason enough to start your yoga journey. As we celebrate International Yoga Day, lets take a look at all the inspiration you need to wake up every morning and stretch, here are the Insta posts you need to double-tap. So, take note of these 5 celebrity approved yoga moves to get your summer body, with a focus on weight loss, fat burn, muscle building as well as flexibility.
1. Hey There, Buddy!
Image Source : Instagram
Working out with your buddy is always fun, not only does it make exercising more exciting but it also motivates you to do better. They say core strength is the most important, and the plank is the best yoga exercise to achieve a strong core. The plank may not look too hard but once you hold this position for a few seconds you can start feeling the burn. A few subtle adjust in your posture can increase the intensity even more. Do this daily for that ab line!
2. Be A Warrior
A breathe of fresh air. The warrior move known as Virabhadrasana can tone the muscles in your thighs and shoulders. For best results, bend your front knee in a way that your thigh is parallel to the floor. The longer you hold the posture the more effective, but don’t forget to breathe in and out while performing the exercise. This seems to be the secret to Malaika's toned legs.
3. When In Doubt, Stretch It Out!
Sushmita Sen believes in stretching everyday as it helps in nurturing our body’s capacity and opening up the body results in happy hormones. The downward dog posture is used by many as a stretching exercise post their workout, but you’ll be surprised to hear the vast benefits of this posture. Done properly and consistently, the posture can help to increase arm strength, lower back strength and also help build the hamstring and calves muscles. So next time make this part of your work out rather than a stretching exercise!
4. Upside Down
Sonakshi Sinha has lost a huge amount of weight in the last few months and we think we've found the secret to that weight-loss. The shoulder stand is one of the most effective exercises in yoga with various health benefits. From improving digestion to serving as therapy for the thyroid and even increasing shoulder strength, it works like magic for everything. A balance in thyroid can further boost metabolism and improve the respiratory system. Include this in your daily workout to feel healthier.
5. Bend Your Way To Fitness
Just like Shilpa Shetty says, "Life will be simpler if you don’t bend backwards for anyone but yourself." The classic Chakrasana yoga pose is the best exercise for toned glutes. This exercise is another one that helps with thyroid. The action of pressing down you’re your feet engage your thighs and back toning those muscles simultaneously. And last but not the least, the bridge also helps stimulate digestion and sets momentum for the circulatory, nervous and endocrine system.
These five yoga moves are equivalent to a full body workout. Would you add this
to your next workout session?
Here's some more inspiration to help you get out of bed and stretch!