Lupita Nyong'o shows off her yoga prowess for cover of Vogue... as she talks MMA training for her role in superhero flick Black Panther

Published: 15:55 GMT, 11 December 2017 | Updated: 18:54 GMT, 11 December 2017

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Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong'o shimmers on the cover of the January issue of Vogue.

Speaking to the style bible about her upcoming projects, including Marvel flick Black Panther, the 34-year-old actress dished on how she got in shape for the action movie.

Nyong'o, who shows off yoga poses for the magazine's cover feature, revealed she underwent mixed-martial-arts training and spent up to four hours a day for six weeks in boot camp with her castmates.

Hollywood's newest superhero: Lupita Nyong'o is Vogue's cover star for January as she opens up about her workouts for her role in upcoming Marvel flick Black Panther

In the upcoming action movie, out February 16, The Kenyan-Mexican beauty plays Nakia, a bodyguard and love interest of her costar Chadwick Boseman.

'Chadwick had a live drummer come in as we worked out, and it was so cool—it changes your sense of internal rhythm,' the actress recalled.

'My character fights with anything: guns, spears, ring blades, shoes, glass.' she added.

In Black Panther Chadwick plays the leader of an advanced African kingdom named Wakanda that has never been colonized.

'For me, as an African who lives outside Africa and wrestles with that dichotomy of tradition and modernity, this is almost healing,' Nyong'o said.

'My character fights with anything: guns, spears, ring blades, shoes, glass.' the 34-year-old actress underwent mixed martial arts training for several hours each day with her castmates for the action movie

In the striking photoshoot accompanying her interview Nyong'o shows off her athletic physique and excellent balance in a series of yoga poses.

One particular pose she strikes atop a paddleboard while wearing a shimmering full bodysuit with floral design.

Nyong'o explained to Vogue she likes work out extensively before every new role she takes on, but that flexibility is more important than exertion so she can stay 'fluid and open'.

The 12 Years A Slave star said she focuses on lots of stretching and tries to get regular massages, while avoiding anything that results in tension or bulk.

For her cover, the Queen of Katwe star is seen in another yoga pose, this time Vriksasana, or tree pose, wearing a silver embellished bodysuit with sheer skirt.

Well balanced: For her cover, the Queen of Katwe star is seen in another yoga pose, this time Vriksasana, or tree pose, wearing a silver embellished bodysuit with sheer skirt

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Nyong'o revealed she likes remain childlike and to challenge herself as much as she can, trying new things she knows she's not good at, such as learning a new language or accent or musical instrument.

'That’s why I like to try new things, like pole-dancing,' she said, adding, 'I value not being good at things, because children are not good at things.'

Unfortunately, for fans curious about Nyong'o's relationship status, the notoriously private star declined to open up about her dating life when asked by Vogue.

'You can ask, but you definitely won’t get an answer,' she said. 'There have been rumors and rumors and rumors about my love life. That’s the one area that I really like to hold close to my heart.'