
Fry Fat on the Mat
You contort into all kinds of wacky positions wriggling into those
skinny jeans. Bend and twist on a regular basis and that might not be
necessary. An active sequence of yoga flows — a form called vinyasa —
burns more than 450 calories an hour, according to Sara Ivanhoe, host
of
20 Minute Yoga Makeover: Weight Loss.
This flow provides a total-body burn. Repeat 5 to 10 times.
1) Backbend
1. Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Lace your fingers behind you
(palms facing up).
2. Inhaling, bend from your upper back, lift your
chest, and press your shoulders down.
2) Forward Bend
1. Soften your knees and bend forward as you exhale, letting your torso
hang in front of your thighs.
2. Keeping your arms straight and fingers
locked together, lift them up and over your head (ultimately reaching
toward the floor in front of your feet).
3) Chair
1. Inhale and bend your knees into a squat. Unlock and straighten your
fingers, then separate your arms. When your thighs are nearly parallel
to the floor, move your arms toward your ears. Keep your weight on your
heels.
2. Inhale, stand up, and lower your arms to your sides. Exhale.
4) Downward Facing Dog
1. Get on all fours, lift your hips, and straighten your arms and legs
5) Plank
1. Inhale as you shift forward into the top of a pushup position with your
arms straight.
2. Exhale, bend your elbows (keep them pointing back and
hugging your body), and lower your body until your chest is on the
ground.
6) Cobra
1. Uncurl your toes so the tops of your feet are touching the ground and
press your tailbone down. Hug your elbows in as you inhale, straighten
your arms (keep a slight bend), and lift your chest off the ground.
2. Exhale as you gently release your body back to the ground.
3. Inhale, curl
your toes under, and press your hips up and back into downward-facing
dog. Exhale.
From Women's Health
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