Nowadays we long to shed off the extra pounds and burn those side body, legs, and hips fat, right? We’ve all tried intense workout, diet, and fasting but didn’t succeed. Then why not start incorporating yoga for weight loss as part of our routine lives? Surprisingly, yoga can give us more benefits than any other exercises. Thus we can lose weight in a healthier way.
Instead of following strict diets and intense workouts, yoga makes us feel full, refreshed, and energized the whole day. The regular practice of yoga also helps improve our physical and mental health. So, to know how, let’s discuss some yoga poses for weight loss. These can help you lose your body weight fast and tone your body.
Why Yoga Poses for Weight Loss?
We all understand how important yoga is. Yoga is a complete package for your healthy life. Yoga aims to cleanse your body in every way – mentally, physically, and spiritually. Starting your day with yoga practice can leave you feeling refreshed and revitalized. Some yoga poses not only help in weight loss but also support you in achieving a fit body and mind you’ve always wanted and this can be achieved with constant dedication and effort.
Let’s now explore some additional benefits of yoga:
- Yoga helps to increased flexibility
- It helps to improve respiratory health
- This art form helps to improve energy and vitality
- Yoga helps to boost your metabolism
- It helps to improve your athletic performance
- The practice of yoga helps to increase muscle tone
- Practicing yoga helps to improve cardiovascular health
- It also helps in weight management
- Yoga helps to manage your stress
Let’s now explore 10 yoga poses that can assist in weight loss. These poses enhance flexibility, boost metabolism, strengthen your core, and increase stamina. They involve twists, bends, and inversions. These awaken inactive muscles and accelerate weight loss.
Top 10 Yoga Poses for Effective Weight Loss
1- Sun salutation (Surya Namaskar):
Surya Namaskara (sun salutations), goes beyond simply warming up the muscles and increasing blood circulation. It effectively stretches and strengthens major muscle groups. It also helps in reducing waist circumference, tones your arms, and promotes healthy digestive system function. This pose also regulates your metabolism.
Note: If you have medical conditions such as severe back pain, recent surgeries, high blood pressure, pregnancy (in certain cases), and certain injuries affecting the joints or muscles. It’s essential to consult a healthcare professional before starting if you have any concerns about whether Sun Salutation is suitable for you.
2- Triangular pose (Trikonasana):
Practice of Trikonasana, or Triangle Pose, aids in enhancing digestion and reducing belly and waist fat deposits. Trikonasana, or Triangle Pose promotes blood circulation throughout the body. Its side-to-side movement helps in trimming the waist fat while strengthening thigh and hamstring muscles. Additionally, practicing Trikonasana enhances your balance and concentration skills.
3- The warrior pose (Virabhadrasana):
The Warrior Pose (Virabhadrasana) helps you to lose body weight. It works on big muscles, boosting your metabolism, and making your whole body stronger. It focuses on thighs, arms, and core muscles, helping burn extra calories and fat. Doing it often also builds endurance, strength and helps you concentrate better, which helps manage your body weight.
4- Boat pose (Naukasana):
Practicing Boat Pose (Navasana) helps with weight loss by making your core muscles stronger, including your abs and hips muscles. This improves the important aspects of how you stand and how your body uses energy. It works out your whole body, burning calories and toning your muscles. Doing it regularly also helps your digestion and makes you more aware of your body, which helps to manage your weight loss.
5- Upward plank (Purvottanasana):
Practicing Upward Plank Pose (Purvottanasana) helps with weight loss by making your arms, shoulders, and core muscles stronger. This helps burn more calories while you practice. Upward Plank Pose (Purvottanasana) stretches the front of your body, making you more flexible and improving digestion. Doing it regularly also helps you stand upright and become more aware of your body, which helps you manage your weight better.
7- Cobra pose (Bhujangasana):
Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana) helps with weight loss by making your spine, belly, and buttocks stronger. Cobra Pose helps to stretch your chest, lungs, shoulders, and belly, making you more flexible and improving digestion. Doing it regularly also helps your blood flow better and wakes up your organs, which helps in weight management.
8- Bow pose (Dhanurasana):
Do you long for a fine-toned belly and back? Then this asana bow pose can help you immensely in this journey. This asana is renowned for fortifying the core, improving posture, and fostering overall body flexibility. It works on the back, chest, abs, legs, hips, and arms muscles.
To perform bow pose, lay down on your belly, face down position, bend your knees and hold your ankle with your hands while keeping your knees hip-width apart. Try to Lift your chest up and thighs off the floor, while holding your ankle in this pose. Continue breathing and try to hold the pose for 20 seconds.
Note: If you’re suffering from blood pressure, insomnia, and migraine, you should skip this pose.
9- Bridge pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana):
Practicing Bridge Pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana) helps to strengthen the back, buttocks, and thighs, which increases metabolism and calorie burning. It stretches the chest, neck, and spine, enhancing flexibility and circulation. Regular practice also helps relieve stress and improves digestion, supporting effective weight management.
10- Plank pose (Santolanasana
The plank pose is a highly effective pose for core strengthening. You might find it simple, but its benefits are substantial. Doing planks strengthen your shoulders, back, buttocks, thighs, abs, and core muscles. To perform a plank, assume a position similar to a push-up, supporting your body with your hands, wrists, and elbows, elevated from the floor. Look downward and relax your neck. Hold the position as long as you can. Remember to breathe properly while you are in this pose. With each exhale, engage your core muscles.
Note: Do not perform the pose if you have any shoulder, hip, or wrist pain.
Remember, discipline plays a crucial role in the weight loss journey. Just follow these 5 basic principles and you are good to go!
- Yoga or Exercise
- Eat proper food
- Breathing practice
- Relaxation
- Meditation
So these are a few yoga poses for weight loss that can help you get in shape. But remember, yoga is just one part of the weight loss journey. You also need to follow a balanced diet and do some exercises for faster and better results. Practicing yoga in the early morning is ideal.
It can reduce stress and the heaviness you might feel from a busy life. Thus, starting your day with yoga can make you feel more flexible and agile quickly which in turn, becomes a regular part of your daily routine.
If you have any chronic health issues or pain in your body, it’s important to consult your doctor or a certified yoga instructor. Some poses can be intense and might cause harm if not done correctly, especially if you already have muscle or body pain.
People May Also Ask!
A. Yoga is often resorted to as a natural weight loss remedy. Just ensure that you complement it with a healthy diet. While some forms of the art focus more on the relaxation of the mind and body, the active poses may be included in Vinyasa or Ashtanga yoga. These help shed off those excess pounds while keeping your muscles toned and simultaneously increase your metabolism. It may also increase levels of mindfulness and, therefore, encourage better food choices with portion control.
A. Sitting yoga poses for weight loss such as Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar), Plank Pose (Chaturanga Dandasana), Warrior Poses (Virabhadrasana), Triangle Pose (Trikonasana), Downward-Facing Dog Pose (Adho Mukha Svanasana), Bridge Pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana), and Bow Pose (Dhanurasana) are beneficial and aid in losing weight.
A. Yes, absolutely! Even simple weight loss yoga poses for beginners can make you lose weight. Modifications from the above poses can be done for beginners. Focus on the form and alignment, and slowly work on the challenging ones as you progress.
A. If you are wondering, does yoga help you lose weight? Then, to reap the best benefits, and effectively lose weight, practice 30 minutes of yoga on a daily basis. Also, you can break this down into smaller sessions if you wish; consistency is the key!
A. A yoga mat might be pretty helpful concerning cushioning and grip, but it’s not necessary. You can practice yoga for weight loss on any comfortable surface. You may find the need, then, as time goes by, to get blocks or straps to help you in primary poses.
A. First of all, in general, it may be said that yoga is safe for everybody; however, people with certain previous health conditions need to consult a doctor before practicing. Listen to your body and avoid pushing yourself to hurt.
A. There are far more advantages associated with yoga than the mere loss of weight. It improves flexibility, strength, balance, and posture; it enhances cardiovascular health; it relaxes the mind, reduces stress, and refines sleep quality to improve overall well-being.
