Beat Stress, Weigh Less: Calorie-Burning Yoga Workout

Scorpion Press

Targets: Arms, abs, butt, and legs

• Start in downward dog: Get on all fours on floor, then tuck toes under and press hips back and up toward ceiling as you step feet back a few steps to form an inverted V, balancing on palms and feet. (Try to keep heels on floor or as close to touching floor as possible.)
• Maintaining V position, lift right foot off mat, bend right knee 90 degrees, and raise leg so that right thigh is in line with back.
• Keeping bent right leg in air throughout, bend left leg 90 degrees to lower knee toward mat, then straighten it again.
• Do 10 reps. Switch legs; repeat.

Fire-it-up tip: To sizzle more fat anytime you hit the mat, try this combo from the YogaWorks Body Slim class: Perform sun salutations at a fast clip for 2 minutes, then do your fave poses for the next 4. Repeat for a workout that burns 300 calories per hour.

Originally published in FITNESS magazine, November/December 2009.