Best yoga poses to tone your body this summer

These yoga poses will not only help you get back in shape but also increase your strength and flexibility this summer.

By: Longjam Dineshwori | | Published: June 2, 2020 6:52 pm

Plank pose works your entire body. It engages your arms, your legs, and all of your abs. © Shutterstock.

When the lockdown gets over, you may want to throw yourself into a pool to beat the heat. But are you ready to sport the swimming suit? We are not promoting a bikini body, a controversial concept that makes many women take extreme measures to slim down. Love your body and wear whatever makes you feel the best. Having a toned body is not just about looking good in that swimming suit, but you will feel stronger, happier, more energetic and confident too. Most people would think of hitting the gym to ready their body for the summer, but thanks to lockdown, it’s not possible now. But there are other ways to get back in shape. The best and the easiest one is Yoga. Practising yoga will not only help keep you in shape but also increase your strength and flexibility this summer. Also Read - Esha Gupta does Uttanasana to stay fit during the lockdown: Know the benefits of this yoga asana

For those who are looking to get fit in a low intensity way, yoga is the right choice. Here are some easy yet effective yoga poses that will tone your entire body this summer. Also Read - Say goodbye to man boobs with these powerful yoga asanas

Downward-Facing Dog (Adho mukha svanasana)

This yoga pose especially stretches the shoulders, hamstrings, calves, arches of the feet and hands. It will help strengthen and tone the arms and legs. Also Read - Long working hours strain your eyes: 4 yoga workouts to try

How to do it

Start with the mountain pose (standing position)
Bend and reach your hands down to the floor
Walk your hands out about three to four feet in front of your toes.
Placing your palms firmly on the ground, lift your hips up toward the sky and press back into your heels
Keep a slight bend in your knees so that your heels can stay flat to the ground
Keeping your gaze toward your legs, press your chest toward your thighs to create a nice flat back.
Stay in this pose for 1 to 3 minutes.
Then rest in child’s pose.

Plank Pose (Phalakasana)

This pose works the whole body, from your pelvic girdle to your shoulder girdle as well as your legs. It helps tone your deltoids, entire abdominal wall and quadriceps.

How to do it

Come into a high push-up position
Your hands should be slightly wider than shoulder width
Make sure your hips in line with the rest of your body
Keep your gaze a few inches in front of your fingertips
Your head, neck and back should create a straight line
Hold the position for 20 seconds
As you get more comfortable with the move, hold it for as long as you can.

Upward-Facing Dog Pose (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana)

This yoga pose improves posture and strengthens the spine, arms and wrists. Further, it opens the chest, stretches shoulders and abdomen, and firms the buttocks.

How to do it

Lie down on your stomach
Bring with your hands next to the ribs, fingers pointing forwards, elbows tucked into your sides.
Press the tops of your feet into the floor
Then firmly press your palms into your mat and lift your chest up
Keep your hips firmly planted on the floor, keeping a slight bend in the shoulders
You can look straight ahead or up towards the ceiling.
Remain here in cobra pose for 1 to 5 breaths
For a deeper stretch, straighten your arms and lift your thighs and knees off the ground
Lift your gaze up towards the sky
This is upward-facing dog pose.