Supermodels such as Alessandra Ambrossio, Miranda Kerr, and Gisele have all credited yoga for helping them shift their baby weight while Jennifer Aniston has praised yoga for her age defying physique, and with the help of Roxy Shahidi, yoga could help you shed those extra pounds.
Roxy has devised five effective yoga sequences suitable for beginners, which will tone your arms, slim down your legs and strengthen your core.
The ex-Emmerdale star says: “Yoga is great for weight loss because it can tone and sculpt your body. It requires strength of mind and endurance but this discipline can be transferred to other areas of life such as your relationship with food.”
Roxy, who teaches yoga to a bevy of soap actresses including Natalie Anderson, Gaynor Faye and Fiona Wade explains: “Start by practising these poses two-to-four times a week. It’s important to challenge yourself but don’t push yourself. Once you’ve built up your strength, practise these poses twice a day, in the morning and evening, or even during lunch to shake off afternoon lethargy.
The more you perform these asanas, the quicker you will see results. If you’re in good health and would like to see quick changes, then you will most definitely see the benefits.”
Follow Roxy’s step-by-step instructions below
Yoga poses by Roxy Shahidi
1 of 5Utkatasana (chair pose)utkata = powerful, fierce
BEST FOR: Toning the thighs and developing the gluteal muscles.TIP: Lift the toes to help drop your weight back, increasing the intensity of the pose.HOW TO:1. Stand straight and bring your feet together2. Inhale and stretch your arms above your head3. Exhale, bend the knees and sit down in your imaginary chair4. Try to keep the chest lifted and press your weight into the heels of your feet5. Drop the shoulders away from your ears bringing your hands into prayer position and breathe deeply for five breaths6. Twist your upper body to one side, hooking your elbow onto the outside of your knee making sure your knees stay aligned and take three deep breaths8. Return to the centre9. Now twist your upper half to the other side, hooking your elbow onto the outside of your opposite knee and take three deep breaths9. Return to the centre and standREPEAT the sequence three times
2 of 5Side to side
BEST FOR: Breaking down fatty tissue whilst sculpting and toning the waistTIP: Keep the core engaged and draw the elbows backHOW TO:1. Stand straight with your feet together2. Inhale and stretch your arms over your head3. Exhale and interlock your fingers behind your head4. Inhale and lengthen the spine5. Exhale and tip your upper half to the right6. Inhale and return to the centre7. Exhale and tip your upper half to the leftREPEAT the sequence ten times and aim for three rounds
3 of 5Navasana (boat pose)
BEST FOR: Strengthening the core and toning the abdominal musclesTIP: Keep the chest lifted to lengthen and intensify the poseHOW TO:1. Sit on the floor with your legs straight in front of you and place your hands behind your hips2. Slowly lift your legs off the floor and bend your knees3. Make sure your spine is tall, inhale and lift your arms to shoulder height4. Exhale, engage the core and tip back holding for five breaths at your point of balance5. Drop your shoulders away from your earsREPEAT the move three times OPTIONAL MODIFICATION: You also have the option to place your hands 6 inches behind your buttocks fingers facing inwards
4 of 5Upward Dog to Downward Dog Flow
BEST FOR: Toning arms and working the whole backside of the bodyTIP: Increase the speed to get your bloody plumping OR reduce the speed and control to toneHOW TO:1. Come onto all fours on the floor, placing your hands flat and tipping your toes2. Inhale and look forward, reach your heart forward and move into upward facing dog3. Keep your shoulders over the hands, exhale and lift back into your downward dog4. Let the hips lead and inhale.5. Drop the hips and let your heart lead, lifting back into upward dogREPEAT this sequence ten times and aim for three rounds
5 of 5Shavasana (corpse pose)
BEST FOR: After an invigorating routine allow your body and mind to relaxTIP: Focus your mind on three things you like about yourself. Repeat them to yourself three times either aloud or in your mind.HOW TO:1. Lie flat on your back2.Let your feet fall open and rest your arms by your sides, palms facing upwards3.Inhale deeply through your nose and exhale deeply through your mouth4. With each exhale feel your body relaxingREPEAT five times with each exhale‘Yoga for Weight Loss by Roxy Shahidi’ is available to buy now!