Kareena Kapoor’s size zero international figure is the talk of the town. Even Karishma Kapoor and Amrita Arora credit Kareena for inspiring them to work out and get fit. We spoke to Payal Gidwani, who has been training Kareena in Bharat Thakur’s Artistic Yoga for the past two years.

“It was a must for Kareena to do 50 Surya Namaskars in one session. Sometimes, she would do 100 with variations,” says Payal. She further adds, “She had to hold a posture for 25-30 seconds and do repetitions depending on her endurance, energy and stamina levels.”

“She is extremely sincere, dedicated, disciplined and focused. That is why she is so successful today,” says Payal, in praise of the actress.
It is a well-known fact that Kareena is a complete foodie with Chinese being her favourite cuisine. “She had to cut down on her favourite Chinese and Thai food, as it was not good for her workouts. At the same time, Kareena could eat plenty of curd and fruits, which is her own healthy concoction,” she reveals.

To make sure that Kareena did not skip her workouts, Payal or her colleagues accompanied her to her shoots. “Kareena does not skip her workouts understand any circumstances. The sessions range from 60 to 90 minutes, depending on her energy levels. We start with a warm up, followed by Surya Namaskar and then focus on any two body parts. The cool down includes meditation and Pranayam,” adds the trainer.

Talking about Kareena’s favourite exercises, she says, “Kareena loves to do leg and posture exercises, you can make her do multiple sets, but she hates abdomen and upper body exercises.”

Ms. Gidwani reveals the postures that made Kareena super slim.

Abs – Naukasana

"Nauka" means "boat" in Sanskrit. It basically involves lying flat out on your abdomen and raising your hands and legs. The final position of this asana resembles a boat. Hence the name.

Arms- Parvatsana

Parvata means mountain. In this posture, the body is stretched to look like a mountain peak, and hence the name, parvatasana.

Back- Bhujangasana

In Sanskrit Bhujanga means Cobra. The final position of this Asana resembles the hooded snake. Bhujangasana, is rudimentary not only for the spine but for movement as an integrated whole. Bhujangasana is an essential pose for developing the strength and flexibility of the entire back, while toning the legs and buttocks, increasing circulation, and assisting in kidney function.

Legs - Warrior Pose or Virabhadra

This pose is named after the mythic warrior-sage, Virabhadra. This challenging pose strengthens the entire body while improving mental capacity and self control. It builds, shapes and tones the entire lower body. It tones the abdominal section and helps to prevent, reduce and eliminate back pain. The entire upper body -front and back- is worked and doing this pose increases the capacity of the respiratory system
Cooling Down:

Danurasana

In Sanskrit, ‘Dhanus’ connotes ‘bow’. Thus, Dhanurasana refers to that yogic exercise where your body will resemble a tightly drawn bow. Your trunk and thighs will be akin to the bent portion of the bow while your lower legs and the stretched arms will resemble the firm bowstring.

Paschimottasana

Literally translated as "intense stretch of the west," Paschimottanasana can help a distracted mind unwind. Paschima means west, and Uttana means to stretch. Stretching both the legs straight on the ground and holding with arms the two big toes one should stay (in this position) with" one’s forehead placed on one’s knee.