Wanna Be Slim?? Swerve Your Curve With Yoga

What’s a woman without her curves? Placed at ‘strategic’ locations they make you look like a diva, but when they land up on trouble spots like butt, belly and arms they mercilessly discount your sex appeal. Swerve the curve in your favour with little help from yoga. Dr Deepak Sachdeva, Yoga Expert and Founder of Medical Yoga Centre, Delhi talks to Priya Singh on how to target your trouble spots. Here are 4 easy to do yoga asanas that play wonders in melting those obstinate fat spots.

1. Utkatasana (chair pose) to reshape hip, bottom and thigh – It is one of the best exercises for your hips, bottom and thighs. Stand with your feet shoulder-width distance apart, toes pointing slightly outwards and squat as though you were sitting into or standing out of a chair. Your knees should not extend beyond the line of your toes. Do 10-15 squats every other day. Raise the intensity by slowing down and holding the squat for 2 to 3 seconds.
Benefits: Tones and strengthen the lower back, legs and thigh. Chest and belly also gets stretched.

2. Ushtra asana (Camel pose) is good to flatten your stomach – Sit on the floor and fold your legs at the knees with knees kept apart at 6 inch distance. Now stand on your knees keeping your ankles and toes flexed and bend the waist back and neck backwards. Firmly hold the back of left ankle with left hand and back of the right ankle with right hand. Push the chest front upward as in the shape of a bow. Breathe normally. Stay in this position for 5 to 10 seconds and slowly come to normal position. As your practice increases, hold this asana for 30 to 60 seconds.
Benefits: Reduces fat on the stomach and strengthens knees, thighs, arms, waist, back and neck. Makes your spine flexible and cures the diseases of lungs, chest and heart.

3. Parivritta-parshvakona-asana (Turned side-angle pose) for slim waist: Inhale and spread your legs apart slightly further than shoulder distance (about 3-4 feet). Stretch your arms straight out from the shoulders parallel to the floor with your palms facing down. Exhale slowly and turn your right foot toward the right 90 degrees. Bend your right knee about 90 degrees. Place the palm of your left hand flat on the floor next to the outside of your right foot. Rest the right elbow on the outside of the right knee. Stretch the right arm over your head, parallel with the floor, with the inside of the elbow resting on the ear. Hold for about 30-60 seconds while breathing gently through the nostrils. Slowly return to a standing position and repeat on the other side reversing directions. Repeat 10-15 times on each side.
Benefits – Stretches the muscle group along the side of the torso and strengthens the ankles, calves and thighs as well as arms. Excellent posture to tone the muscles in the waist and hips

4. Banish bingo wings with Vasisthasana - From Plank Pose, shift your weight onto your right arm as you roll onto the outside of your right foot. Keeping both feet flexed, stack the left foot on top of the right with the legs very straight. Bring the left arm up to the ceiling and the gaze to the left fingertips. After several breaths, roll back the center and do the other side, resting in Downward Facing Dog between the two sides if you like.
Benefits: Strengthens the arms and spine. Good preparation for more challenging arm balances

While any style of yoga is good for your wellbeing, some styles burn more calories thereby resulting in less fat and more muscle, tell experts. So incorporate the suggested styles in your daily fitness regime. Start today to feel the difference. Stay Fit!

Priya Singh