Alaya F in Bathing Suit "Felt Extra Spontaneous"

Indian actress Alaya F (real name Aalia Furniturewala) is enjoying an impromptu trip to the beach, and having the time of her life. The 25-year-old star shared pictures of herself looking blissfully happy while posing in a red and white swimsuit and matching cover up, against a gorgeous dramatic sunset. “The Sagittarius in me felt extra spontaneous and I planned and left for a trip in 3 hours 😋,” she captioned the post. How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Alaya stays in shape and the photos that prove they work—and to get beach-ready yourself, don't miss these essential 30 Best-Ever Celebrity Bathing Suit Photos!

1. Yoga Changed Her Life

Alaya has practiced yoga for years, and credits it with incredible benefits. “Practicing yoga has opened up my body,” she says. “Now, if I don’t practice yoga for a while, my body starts feeling tight, and I don’t feel like myself. When I started doing yoga, I just wanted to get fit… I didn’t really have any other goals in mind. In fact, I told my yoga instructor that I’m not interested in finding mental peace, I just want to get ripped. But the beauty of yoga is that by default, you end up finding a sense of calm and peace.”

2. Drinking Lots of Water

Alaya swears by hydration and skin protection to maintain her complexion. “Drink plenty of water—I can’t stress this enough,” she says. “I can see an instant drop in my skin quality if I don’t hydrate enough. Also, I make sure I take off my make-up and wash my face regularly with a face wash that suits my skin type. And of course, SPF! I don’t leave my home without applying a moisturizer that has SPF in it! Lip balm and SPF are my staples.”

3. She Loves Dancing

Alaya enjoys dancing sessions, which are a great way to get exercise and have fun. “For a long time, I was a bad dancer, so when I wanted to learn how to dance properly, I started doing it for seven hours a day,” she says. “There was no other way for me to learn. It became a great form of workout for me, and it’s super fun!”

4. Balance and No Restrictions

Alaya says to her, fitness means balance and good intentions. “Being fit, it doesn’t mean you can’t have a cheat meal or your favorite food,” she says. “I think it’s just all about balance and the right intention with which you are doing. I feel if you are on a diet with all the bad intentions, like dieting only for the sake of losing weight, then you will go into a very negative zone of your body and health. That’s not productive for anyone and you won’t end up being fit at all.”

5. Self-Love and Self-Care

Alaya is careful to focus on her mental as well as physical health. “Don’t underestimate your body, as it’s capable of amazing things,” she says. “You just need to believe in it and not be scared. For me, self-care goes beyond just fitness. Self-care involves your mental health and the way you talk to your own body and mind.”