Yoga for Weight Loss

Our eating habits, hectic schedules, workload and daily lifestyle have taken a toll on our health due to which we tend to gain weight faster. Obesity makes life lazy and sedentary. Body becomes weak and it decreases the possibilities of longer life span. Common ailment, bones of buttocks, knees and spinal column becomes brittle. It may have an adverse effect on health, leading to many health problems such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, certain types of cancer and osteoarthritis. Overweight people have an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and other illnesses. Losing weight reduces the risk. However, losing weight is more easily said than done. This is surely a universal truth. This is where ancient holistic fitness therapies of yoga and pranayama come for aid. However, practicing yoga on a daily basis has certainly helped many people lose weight. The fact that yoga brings mind, body, and soul on the same platform, it leaves one refreshed even after a mild session of Yoga. We bring to you asanas which could help fast-track your weight loss goals.

Surya Namaskar (Sun salutation): 

Surya Namaskar is a set of yoga asanas done in succession that can help reduce flab if done on a regular basis. This series of 12 postures are one of the most favourite ways of burning calories if done briskly. Since it employs various forward and backward bending asanas that flex and stretch the spinal cord, it provides a stretch to the whole body. It is believed to be the best full body workout. It does not only help in reducing weight but also helps in keeping away other ailments.

Trikonasana (TrianglePose): 

This asana helps in toning your arms & thighs. It also improves the flexibility of your body. Stand straight, with your feet wide apart. Now turn your right foot out to 90 degrees & left foot out to 15 degrees. Now bend your body to the right side, downward from the hips. Make sure that you keep your waist straight, allowing your left hand to come up in the air while your right hand comes down and touches the ground.  Try to keep both the arms in a straight line. Repeat on the other side.

Mayurasana (Peacock Pose): 

Many people may not be obese, but still suffer from fat around the belly. This can be reduced by doing asanas like Mayurasana. Shed those extra kilos around the stomach by practicing Mayurasana. Kneel down and sit on your heels. Keep your hands on the floor, fingers pointing towards your body, thumb outwards and palms pressed against the ground. Place elbows in such a way that they are pressed against your belly. Straighten your legs from behind and stretch them. Lift your body up, on your hands and legs. Remember to keep your body and legs be parallel to the floor. If one finds Mayurasana difficult to perform, then do Hansasana. Both postures help to put pressure against the abdomen and relieve belly fat.

Garudasana (Eagle Pose):

This asana is great to get thinner thighs, legs and arms. Stand on the floor in a straight position, keeping the hands besides the body. Lift your left leg up, fold it from the knee and wrap it around the right leg. Lift your hands up, bring them in front of the chest and wrap the left hand around the right hand looking straight.

Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose):

This asana burns unwanted stomach fat as it stretches abdominal muscles.Lie on the stomach with feet together and toes flat. Place the hands downwards below the shoulders on the mat, lift your waist and raise the head while inhaling in. Pull the torso back with the support of hands. Keep elbows straight and make sure to put equal pressure on both palms.  Tilt head back and make sure shoulders are away from ears. Exhale while coming back to the ground.

Matsyasana (Fish pose):

Matsyasana is all about stretching your lower body. It helps in burning extra fat on thighs, hips and lower abdominal area.

 Setu Bandh (Bridge Pose): 

This asana is good for thighs, lower back and the core. For doing this asana, lie down on your back and bend your knees so that your feet's rests on the floor. Keep the same distance between your feet and buttocks as your hands. Now, try to lift your body in the upward direction. Do this for 5-10 times & then release. This works wonders on your hips, thighs, stomach as well as back.

 Shalabhasana (Locust Pose):

Lie on your belly and put your hands below your thighs while forehead and chin are resting on the floor. Now try to raise your left leg straight up to 10 inches. Do not bend your knees. Try doing the same thing with your right leg. At the final stage, do this with both your legs.

 Pavanmuktasana (Wind-releasing Pose): 

This asana is good for your stomach & helps in reducing belly fat. Lie down on your back in a straight position. Now lift up your left leg & bend it from the knee. Try to touch your chin to your knee while pressing your left leg towards stomach. For this, you will have to lift up your head a little. Follow the same with the other leg and you can also try doing the same movement with both the legs at the same time.

Pranayama to stimulate the metabolism

The pranayama practices stimulate the metabolism which helps to burn excessive fat in the body. These include: Bhastrika, Kapalbhati and Suryabheda, which are performed along with balancing practices like Nadi Shodhan and Ujjayi. Sheetali and Sheetkari are relaxing, cooling practices which influence different hypothalamic centers having control over thirst and the feeling of satisfaction with healthy quantities and qualities of food.

Be sure to consult a yoga expert before beginning to practice these yoga postures. 

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