Top 10 Yoga Poses for Weight Loss

Yoga in its basic form aims to bring about a state of well being to both the mind and the body. Often we have seen in recent times that our food habits have influenced our health negatively. This has led to uncontrolled deposition of fats and subsequent increase in weight which prove to be a cause of worry as far as diseases are concerned.

 

In this article we shall focus on the 10 Yoga poses that are effective in dealing with the problem of weight loss:

 

1. Standing Forward Fold/Uttanasana

   This pose helps to exercise the quadriceps and abdominal muscles extensively. Since abdomen and the quadriceps are potential fat deposition sites, the exercise of these parts of the body helps to burn the excess fats contributing to weight loss. It also helps to soothe the mind while inducing a calming effect on the nervous system.

2. Surya Namaskar/Sun Salutations

   The Sun Salutation pose helps in preparing the body for Yoga practice. It involves the exercise of the body as a whole and contributes in improving the blood circulation and the digestive power of the body.

3. Half Moon/Ardha Chandrasana

   This posture helps the build up of abdominal muscle strength and the strength of the legs to withstand the body weight. This posture dynamically changes the body by an act of balance of the body on the abdomen and legs. The focus and balance involved in this yoga exercise makes this pose extremely useful for weight loss.

4. Side Plank Pose/Vasisthasana

   In this pose, the entire body weight is supported on one arm and this forces the increase of the rate of calorie burn. The supporting side of the body is subjected to the load of the entire body which helps to burn the fats quickly by increasing the metabolism.

5. Downward facing Dog Pose/Adho Mukha Svanasana

   In this posture, the muscles supporting the thighs and joints are allowed to sustain continuous loads which lead to gradual strengthening of the hands, chest, arms, abdomen and the thighs as well. Although it is a resting posture, the amount of calorie burn is quite high in this case.

6. Plank Pose/Uttihita Chaturanga Dandasana

   In this posture the body is supported on the hands and toes against the ground. As a result of this, considerable loads are experienced on the chest, abdomen, shoulders, arms, thighs, calves and feet that tend to increase the contraction and expansion of muscles. This directly leads to loss of fats and reduction in weight.

7. Tree Pose/Vrksasana

   In this pose, the whole body is supported on one leg with the feet of the other leg placed at the knees of the supporting leg. It helps in strengthening the leg muscles and aids in burning fat due to the conscious efforts of the body to maintain a stable posture for balance.

8. Chair Pose/Utkatasana

   This Yoga exercise benefits in making the arms, shoulders, back muscles, leg muscles, ankles and calves strong. This pose helps in toning and cleansing the body of fats and contributes healthily to weight loss.

9. Garudasana/Eagle Pose

   The Eagle Pose involves constant stamina and balance of the body on one leg. The parts of the body involved in the support of the body are feet, ankles, calves, quadriceps, inner thighs, shoulders and upper back. Due to the involvement of large number of body parts, the Eagle Pose is beneficiary to shed good amount of fats.

10. Triangle Pose/Trikonasana

    This yoga exercise involves keeping the upper body aligned and lifted properly while standing on stretched V-legs. Here the abdomen is made to bear most of the weight and hence a major portion of fat is reduced from this region due to this pose. The muscles of the arms are also strengthened in this pose.

Weight loss is certainly necessary for maintaining a good health. Yoga does provide us some wonderful techniques to deal with the problem of obesity. However, as we know prevention is better than cure, it is advised to keep the irregular food habits (the significant cause of obesity) in check to ensure a healthy body.