*From Seventeen Magazine*

Madonna does it. Cameron Diaz, Reese Witherspoon and Katie Holmes do it. Janet Jackson and Sheryl Crow do it. But that's not why you should do yoga. The reason you should try this five-thousand-year-old Indian practice is simple: It will make you a happier, calmer -- and, OK, fine -- hotter person.

Yoga is the ultimate mind-body workout. This deep method of stretching washes away stress, anxiety, anger and heartache, and also makes you feel at least two inches taller, not to mention lean, tight, glowingly beautiful and graceful as a gazelle. I like to think of it as a massage and therapy session rolled into one!

Do these five yoga postures (those in-the-yoga-know call them asanas) a few times a week for a month and you'll notice a marked difference in the shape of your arms, abs, legs, back (can you say "cut"?) and your state of mind (can you say "superwoman"?) Just remember: The key to a successful yoga practice is breathing deeply through your nose. Get ready to inhale and exhale your way to a rockin' bod!

The top dog of all yoga poses, this is an amazing all-over stretch that's especially good for relieving stress-related back and neck aches -- and menstrual cramps. Start on your hands and knees, with hands under shoulders and knees directly under your hips. Spread your palms out so the index fingers are parallel. On an exhale, push into your hands to straighten your arms, bring your toes under and straighten your legs, without locking your knees. Your body should be in an inverted "V" shape. Breathe deeply, and concentrate on stretching your heels closer to the ground, contracting your stomach muscles and lifting your butt higher toward the sky. Make sure to keep your head in line with your spine by looking back toward your knees. Stay in this position for about a minute.

Make like a tree and develop a toned trunk -- and a whole lotta balance and grace. Stand straight with your legs together. Bend your left leg and place the left foot on the inner right thigh (it's OK to use your hands to help you!), so your left toes point toward the floor and the left knee points out. With your hands on your hips, try and even them out so they are more-or-less level and your torso is facing straight ahead. Once you feel balanced -- the key is to push the raised foot into your inner thigh and vice versa -- place your hands in a prayer position in front of your chest and then slowly lift your arms above your head, keeping the palms together. If you're having a hard time avoiding hunchback shoulders, separate your arms into a "V" position. Gaze softly at a point in front of you (no boingy eyes!) and breathe deeply, holding for about 30 seconds. Return to the starting position and reverse legs.

Start out in a pre-pushup position with your body horizontal, supported by straight arms and legs, with your stomach pulled in and your gaze slightly forward on the floor. Keeping your right arm strong and straight with the palm pushing into the floor, roll onto the outer edge of your right foot, keeping the leg straight, and slowly stack your left leg on top of your right leg; keeping your feet flexed will help you stay in this pose. When you feel balanced, slowly lift your left arm straight up to the sky so your body makes a straight, diagonal line from the floor. Without straining your neck (think of giving yourself a tiny bit of a double chin instead of arching the head back), look up toward your left arm. Breathing deeply, hold the pose for 30 seconds or more, making sure to lift your right hip as far away from the floor as possible. Slowly roll back to the starting position and do the pose to the opposite side. Your arms and belly are going to get solid, baby!

Lie flat on your back with your arms at your side, palms facing down, and your knees bent with heels as close to your buttocks as possible. On an exhalation, push your feet and arms into the floor and lift your hips into the air so your butt rises off the ground and your thighs are parallel to the floor. Do not clench your cheeks (yes, those cheeks) but rather concentrate on extending your knees toward the wall in front of you, keeping your thighs and feet parallel. Roll your shoulders underneath you so your arms move toward each other and clasp your hands together. Stay in this pose for about a minute, releasing on an exhale. This pose stretches the entire length of your spine, improving your posture, and also tones your chest and back.

End your yoga session with an "inversion," which literally turns you upside-down for both physical benefits and a healthy change of perspective. Fold a towel up into thirds and place it on the floor. Lie down so that your shoulders are right at the edge of your folded towel and your head rests lightly on the floor. Bend your knees with feet on the floor and lay your arms at your sides, palms facing down. On an exhale, push your arms down into the ground to lift your legs into the air, with your heels dangling by your butt. Continue peeling more and more of your back up off the floor, striving toward a 90-degree angle between your shoulders and torso. Bend your arms and place your hands on your lower back for support, making sure to keep elbows close together and parallel. Slowly straighten your legs, keeping thighs and feet together. Press the back of your head into the floor to protect your neck, breathe deeply and try to inch your hands further up your back, toward your neck, placing the majority of your weight in your shoulders. Keep your gaze soft. Hold the pose for up to three minutes (beginners should start with less than a minute). When you're ready to come down, bring your knees back toward your chest and slowly unroll your spine until you are flat on the floor. You will sculpt your stomach and butt muscles, and also calm yourself down so you'll be ready to take on your annoying homework/mother/boyfriend with ease.