How to ˆnally feel good about your body

Show your body some love with this brave-body yoga challenge.

Brave-body yoga challenge

“We want women to work out because they love their body, not hate it,” says personal trainer Lindsey Clayton. That’s why, three years ago, she and fellow trainer Amber Rees founded online fitness program Brave Body Project ( bravebodyproject.com) to teach health and fitness to women, and retrain how they think and feel about their bodies.

First step? This workout, which combines tough yoga poses with body-positive mantras. Try it four times a week for a month, and build your body confidence and feel good in your skin.

1Start on all fours, with your legs and your knees comfortably apart. Arch your back and drop your stomach. Inhale, focusing on a part of your body that you’re happy with. As you round your back, exhale, and consciously try to release any negative thoughts you have. Do this five times.

2Tuck your toes and pull your hips up to the ceiling

in a Downward Dog position. Roll your body forward into a high plank position. While you feel your core fire up, take a moment to appreciate the strength of your body and what it’s doing now. (Because planks are super hard!)

3Slowly come down to your elbows, then go back up to your hands. Do this five times, ending in a forearm plank. Think to yourself, ‘I am resilient.’ Rest briefly in a Downward Dog position, then do five more rounds, alternating between forearm and high planks, repeating to yourself, “I have power.”

4Return into Downward Dog. Do 10 push-ups.

5Come up to the top of your mat, rolling up into a standing position. Take five breaths to repeat a word that resonates with you: brave, beautiful, brilliant, respect, worthy – your choice.

6Place your feet hip-width apart and do 10 squats, holding the last one at the bottom. Hold for as long as it takes to say to yourself, “I am strong.” Do this 10 times.

7Come down into a plank position for a round of burpees – drop your chest down to the floor, then push back up into a plank. Jump up to the front of the mat and bring your feet between your hands, then jump up to stand. Repeat this nine times. It might sound silly, but smile the whole time. Find the joy in something you’d normally consider work – it’s all about how you’ll make working out feel more enjoyable to you.

8Finish by standing at the top of your mat. Bring your hands to the centre of your chest, close your eyes and thank yourself, using whatever word inspired you most during the entire yoga process. Now go out and kick some butt today.