Yoga defines the epitome of calm and balance. It de-stresses, revitalizes and rejuvenates, making you both physically and mentally fitter. As Yoga enthusiasts gear up to celebrate International Day of Yoga, fitness enthusiast and style icon Malaika Arora shares the top 5 asanas she swears by!
Headstand (Shirshasana)
Malaika says “Inversions are my favourite part of the practice. It helps overcome fear it also fires up the core along with its other numerous benefits. To stay upside down for any amount of time requires a considerable amount of focus and concentration. Practicing this frequently will build your ability to concentrate in other situations off the mat.”
Warrior II Pose (Virabhadrasana II)
Malaika says,“Warrior II is great for the legs, gluteus, hips, core muscles, chest, shoulders and the arms. This is a full body pose that essentially, if you’re doing it correctly, works every muscle you’ve got. For me, Warrior II is all about finding peace in the moment.”
Tree Pose (Vrksasana)
Malaika says, “Tree Pose, is one of the first postures any yogi learns. It seems simple enough, but is physically challenging for the hips, balance, ankles, and feet. This pose is known to enhance confidence and create a more positive level of self-esteem. Standing tall and proud with good posture, whether in a variation or balancing whole-heartedly on one foot, the alignment alone broadens the shoulders, opens your heart, and raises your feel-good factor.”
Boat Pose (Naukasana)
Malaika swears, “Boat can be an extreme workout for our abdominal muscles, and mine usually shake like crazy. Boat is special because it literally connects our root into the ground. The tailbone is the foundation for this pose, the place of power that allows the rest of the body to grow long and tall. Therefore, in Boat Pose, we create this wonderful connection to the earth, grounding ourselves and coming back to a place of self-knowing.”
Chair Pose (Utkatasana)
Malaika concludes, “Utkatasana is also known as the Powerful or Fierce pose. The power or fierceness would signify the importance that every part of your body tries to attain. Here the imaginary chair helps you find that power, the power by which your sitting pose can be achieved without any support. Learning this would also let you know about your strength and stamina to hold this pose.”