Star of USA Network's drama "La Femme Nikita", Peta Wilson plays a tough government operative who shoots, puches and kickboxes her way out of jams with terrorists. In real life, Wilson is considerably more mellow than her character. The 27-year-old Australian, a yoga devotee, begins her days with a routine that the hard-boiled Nikita wouldn't appreciate: a five minute headstand. "It wakes me up and gets the blood going to my brain", says the husky-voiced Wilson, speaking from the show's set in Toronto.

Beginning her days with relaxation exercises is crucial for Wilson, who often works 15-hour stints. Equally important are her strength training and kick boxing workouts. "Sure, I have to look good, but thats not why I work out", she says. "The energy it gives you is unbelievable. It's good for cleaning your mind, getting rid of stress, increasing [your] confidence and allowing for more creative thought."

Wilson has to cram her fitness regimen into intense sessions with trainer Alvin Greene. The set doesn't have weight machines, so Wilson works out with body bars and weighted balls. The toughest exercise is the wall squat, a ski-training move that involves sitting against a wall, thighs parallel to the floor, and holding the position until your quadriceps burn. "I can do it for nine minutes", Wilson says. "But the whole time I'm screaming at my trainer."

Wilson concentrates all of her energy into each exercise. "I watch my muscles, really focusing on each individual body part -- my biceps, my triceps, my abs. Youv'e got to be in the right state of mind for an exercise to be effective."