Malaika Arora guides your yoga journey

New Delhi, June 20 Yoga brings together physical and mental disciplines to achieve a peaceful body and mind and helps manage stress and anxiety while keeping one relaxed. It also helps to increase flexibility, muscle strength, tone the body and improves respiration, energy and vitality. Practicing yoga might seem like just stretching, but it can do much more for your body from the way you feel, look and move.

Bollywood actress and Reebok ambassador Malaika Arora who has been practicing yoga for long shares a few basic yoga asanas which you can practice at home and kick-start your day by filling in positivity and stay motivated. Each pose can be held for 3 to 5 long breaths. You can practice these twice a week and gradually make it a part of your daily routine.

She says: "I am mindful of the fact that I feel centered within myself. There may be a storm out there, but there is a calm within. I am grateful for the calm that I have experienced through my practice of Yoga, and I am mindful that my life has changed positively because of this."

A few things to note before you begin your journey:

* Focus on the breath, right from the beginning.

* Do what you easily can. There is no competition. You are expected to move at your own pace. Listen to your body and do not push yourself.

* Don't get discouraged by the initial lack of flexibility or strength, it improves over time. Be patient and give your body the time to respond.

* Understand that every body is unique. Everyone has different levels of strength, stamina, and flexibility. Your lifestyle and goals may also vary. Find a style of yoga that suits your needs.

* The best time to practice yoga is early in the morning and empty stomach. So, begin your day with yoga

Work-out:

1. Tadasana