Fitness

Can a Real Girl Get Jennifer Aniston's Yoga Body?

Before you sign up for those spendy yoga classes or personal training sessions, look at what the famous "Friend's" at-home yoga workout did for our writer

by Kamala Kirk

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I have a great ass ... "I have a great ass, I have a great ass �" I repeat Mandy's personal mantra aloud as I do my squats, one of 12 toners featured in the workout. As I repeat the words, I envision my future fit self playing on a Hawaiian beach, debuting my derrière in bikini bottoms without an ounce of self-consciousness.

I follow Mandy's cues as I drop into one of the first yoga poses: Chair. I hold my arms above my head while sinking into an imaginary chair. Easy enough. We then transition into Crescent pose, where I lunge forward at a 90-degree angle while holding my arms up, palms facing each other. I am definitely feeling the stretch, particularly in my thighs. For extra motivation I'm picturing myself two-inches taller with my soon-to-be elongated muscles (bye-bye high heels!).

I find my Zen in Temple pose: Toes aimed out at 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock, hips sinking down with hands pressed against one another as if in prayer. I feel the burn in my inner thighs, but it actually feels good. Next we come to the dreaded Downward Facing Dog (pushing palms into the floor below shoulders while pushing my butt back into the air). I say "dreaded" because my arms aren't Wonder Woman-worthy yet and it takes a lot out of me to hold this pose.

Wimping out after a few seconds, I retreat into my safety net, Child's Pose -- the rest position, which consists of dropping my knees to the floor, extending my arms in front, and bringing my forehead to my mat, stretching my hips, thighs, and ankles. Mandy says this is a great back strengthening pose that is gentle on the spine. I say this is the most relaxing workout move I've ever tried.

And then I don't feel so relaxed �

SEE NEXT PAGE: "Sore today, strong tomorrow"

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Older comments

Very inspirational! Yogalosophy is fascinating and I want to try it. I know that exercise can become addictive; I was working out every day last year. I hurt my foot and had to quit and really noticed a sense of lethargy and a "need" to move again.

by GigiSD Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at 10:42AM Report as inappropriate

Congratulations!!! I read the WHOLE article. It's all about determination, and loving yourself. I do a variation of workouts..Eating healthier is key!

by Joana84 Tuesday, March 12, 2013 at 08:51AM Report as inappropriate