By Faye Martins
Many women strive for that beautiful, slim waist seen on models, television actresses, and even important historical figures and actresses. The desire to have or maintain a narrow waist has been a part of lives for many years. Women will go to great lengths to get it, like sit-ups, weightlifting, jogging, aerobics and more. You might not automatically think of yoga when you think of a slim waistline, but many of the poses tighten the core while slimming the waistline, too. Even some men can benefit from a slimmer waistline. Try a few yoga poses to stretch, strengthen and lengthen the muscles around the waistline.
If you are a yoga teacher, it’s worth your time to create student survey, which asks students about their needs. If you ask adults, if they want to participate in yoga training specifically for reducing the waistline, they will voice their concerns. The older we get, the more we want to hold onto our shape.
Triangle Pose
Stand with feet wider than shoulder-width apart, toes pointing forward. Turn one foot out about 45 degrees. Extend both arms up to shoulder level and bend to the side from the waist and hips, reaching out and down toward the turned-out foot. Rest the bottom arm on the calf, ankle or floor. Extend the other arm up toward the ceiling, letting your gaze follow the upper fingers if it is comfortable. Hold for a few breaths, and then repeat on the other side.
Boat Pose
Begin in a seated position. Rest your arms beside your hips for balance as you pull your knees into your chest. Lean back onto your hips and find balance. Stay in this position, or continue by extending the legs out to form about a 45-degree angle. Extend the arms straight out, palms facing down. Hold for a few breaths and release.
Half Lord of the Fishes Pose
In a seated position, pull the knees so the feet rest flat on the floor. Bend the left leg, resting it on the floor. Bring the left foot to rest under the right hip. Step the right foot over the left leg to rest on the floor with the right knee pointing up toward the ceiling. Exhale as you twist your body to the right. Bring your right hand to rest behind the body, palm flat. Bend your left arm, placing the elbow on the outside of your right thigh near the knee. Keep your gaze where it is comfortable, either to the left or right of the body. Repeat on the other side.
Revolved Head-to-Knee
Sit with the legs opened wider than shoulder width. Bend the left leg in while keeping the right leg extended at about a 45-degree angle. Rest the right arm along the side of the right leg, palm facing up. Inhale, and then exhale as you bend to the right side, reaching the left arm up and over the torso. Repeat on the other side.
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The desire to have or maintain a narrow waist has been a part of lives for many years and proper yoga asanas are very effective exercise for a slim waistline,