Christy Turlington's yoga beauty plan

The next time you see a woman with sculpted muscles, don't assume that she spends hours in the gym. She may have a yoga body.

Christy Turlington knows. Like an ever-growing number of Americans, she's a yoga devotee who hits the mat for more than stretching and stress relief. She says it's her secret to staying lean and toned. "To hold a yoga posture, your muscles have to work hard to keep your body steady and support your weight," explains Steve Ross, owner of Los Angeles-based Maha Yoga. "At the same time, you're elongating the muscles, which is what helps create that long, lean look."

To maintain her catwalk-caliber body, Turlington attends yoga class at least three or four times a week. Besides conditioning her muscles, her yoga workouts help keep her energized and focused -- crucial for a career woman who, between photo shoots, is busy designing new lines of clothing (which she shows off on these pages) and skin-care products. "Yoga really gets me going, especially when I'm tired," she says.

Here, Turlington demonstrates a super sculpting routine designed by Ross, one of her favorite instructors, who says these classic moves are some of the best for building strength, flexibility and balance. If you're new to yoga, you may be surprised at how challenging it is to hold your body in these poses. If you're already a yogi, this is your chance to fine-tune your moves so you can get more out of every workout.

But the point of this workout isn't to torture yourself with the goal of perfection. "Goals are great," Turlington says. "But yoga has taught me that if you can genuinely be in the moment, life is much, much richer."

The workout
Before beginning this series, warm up with the Sun Salutation or by taking a brisk five-minute walk. You can also climb the stairs in your house, if that's easier.

For each posture in the workout, hold the final position for 5 complete breaths. Keep your inhale and exhale equal length. You'll do the whole series of poses with one lead leg first, then again with your other leg leading. When you've gone through it on both sides, relax in Forward Bend and come up slowly, breathing deeply. Feel free to repeat the series once or twice if you want.

To make balancing easier, find a point on the floor about 3-4 feet in front of you. With eyes relaxed, look at the spot while you take your time to get into position. Find your balance, then focus on the point as you hold your pose and breathe deeply.

Do the routine 3-4 times per week. Although Turlington makes them look simple, some of the poses, especially the balancing ones, may be tough for a beginner, so modifications are listed with each caption. Don't be afraid to try them, though. You may be stronger -- and more centered -- than you think.

Sun salutation warm-up
Start in Mountain Pose: feet together, legs straight, arms by sides. Inhale; sweep arms overhead, touch palms. Exhale; bend forward at hips, release arms and head toward floor to Forward Bend, legs slightly bent or straight. Inhale; look forward and straighten and elongate spine. Exhale; step back with right foot, leg straight, heel lifted, and bend left knee over ankle into a Lunge. Inhale; lift arms overhead, forearms parallel. Keep breastbone lifted, spine long, shoulders down. Exhale; bend forward and put hands on either side of left foot. Inhale; move right foot back to meet left for Plank Pose, body in a straight line from head to heels. Exhale; lower torso to floor. Inhale, pressing upper torso up off floor to an Upward-Facing Dog . Exhale; lower torso to floor. Inhale; turn toes under. Exhale; lift hips into an inverted V or Downward-Facing Dog. Inhale; bring right foot forward, keeping left leg straight and lifting arms overhead for a Lunge. Inhale; bring left foot to meet right, and resume Forward Bend. Inhale; sweep arms overhead to Mountain Pose. Exhale; release arms to sides. Repeat series three to four times on each side.