Power Yoga Poses for Trimming Thighs

Power yoga is a vigorous, fitness-based approach to vinyasa style yoga, with an emphasis on strength and flexibility. On Yogajournal.com, renowned instructor Shiva Rea describes vinyasa yoga as “a flowing sequence of specific asanas coordinated with the movements of the breath.” Rea explains that vinyasa comes from two Sanskrit terms--nyasa, which means "to place," and vi, a prefix that means "in a special way."

Get Strong

Engaging in an energetic power yoga practice will help you sculpt your body, strengthen your movements and tone your muscles. Specifically for the lower body, the standing poses of this vigorous workout will get your legs fit by strengthening and slimming your thighs. Hold each pose for at least five breaths and make sure to repeat on both sides.

Warrior I

Warrior I depicts strength, both inner and outer, and is ideal for sculpting and toning the thighs, calves and ankles. Start by standing with your feet together, pointing straight ahead. Step your left leg back 3 to 4 feet and turn your left foot out about 45 to 60 degrees. Press the back of the left heel into the ground, but be sure to keep it in a straight line with the front heel. Keeping your abdominals engaged, bend the front leg 90 degrees, so that the thigh is parallel to the floor. Once your legs are secure in the proper position, rotate your torso to the right, squaring the front of your hips. Making sure to keep your tailbone pointing down, lift your arms so they are parallel to your ears while sliding your shoulders down your back, as you ground down through the back foot.

Warrior II

On Yogajournal.com Julie Gudmestad says, “Few poses beat Warrior II at strengthening your hips and thighs.” The pose starts the same as Warrior I, except your back foot turns out 90 degrees, so that the inner arch of the back foot is in line with the heel of the front foot. Make sure to keep the front leg bent at a 90-degree angle. With strong shoulders, stretch the arms in a T-shape, so that they are parallel to the floor and in-line with the legs, one reaching out in front of you, the other extending behind. Keep legs strong as you lowly breathe in and out, gazing over your front fingers.

Extended Side Angle

Extended Side Angle is a challenging but effective thigh strengthening power yoga pose. Keep the legs the same as warrior II and extend your left arm straight up toward the ceiling and turn the palm to face toward your head. When you are stable, continue to reach the same arm over the back of your left ear, with the palm facing down towards the floor. There should be one strong straight line from your back foot all the way up through the extended fingers. Your right elbow lightly rests on the top of the right thigh. Hold and breathe.

Chair Pose

Chair pose is a yoga variation of a squat and, according to Myyogaonline.com, chair pose is an excellent exercise for strengthening the entire lower body. Stand with your feet together, big toes touching and heels slightly apart. With your abdominals engaged, your tailbone rounded under and thighs pressed together, sit back as if you are sitting in a chair, and lower until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Keep your upper-body lifted and as straight as possible while you raise your arms until they are parallel to your ears.

References

• Yoga Journal: Consciousness in Motion
• Yoga Journal: Way of the warrior
• My Yoga Online: Utkatasana (Chair Pose)