Yoga for Weight Loss

Do you know that yoga exercise can help you trim down those extra pounds? Yes, it is true as there are series of postures that you can do even at the comfort of your own home. Let us discuss further and focus more on the different techniques of yoga exercise for weight loss as we go along this article.

Yoga refers to the complete activities and functions performed by the body, speech, and mind. It enables us to channelize our physical and mental energy in achieving desired goals or objectives.

Yoga had been into existence for years now and has been a part of American culture as well. Its benefits are truly promising. As a meditation technique, yoga concentrates on focal problems of the body and do not correct the problems externally. It corrects the varied workings and functioning of the body through a series of stretching postures and breathing exercises. With these, a person becomes stronger, healthier, and more flexible.

How Effective is Yoga for Weight Loss

Yoga for weight loss takes a long process before promising results are achieved. It forms the base of any exercise workout since it corrects the imbalances and other problems of the body, and calms the body as well. If yoga postures are combined with other cardiovascular exercises, greater benefits are achieved. This is because there are certain yoga postures that can intensify heart rate leading to weight loss.

Surya Namaskar or sun salutation is a yoga exercise that raises the heart rate immensely and works the entire body. It can be done at least ten rounds during the first week and then increase the rounds in the succeeding weeks. Other forms of yoga exercise that you can perform are the Crescent Pose, Ashtanga yoga, and Bikram yoga.

Extended side angle pose is best option for beginners. It is initiated from the low lunge position wherein one leg is stretched forward and the other leg remains behind. While performing this yoga posture, remember that the lower ribs must be extended on the side of front leg instead of allowing them to fall down.

The half moon pose is a kind of yoga exercise that involves more forceful activities or actions compared to traditional poses. To achieve this pose, you have to begin from low lunge position while the body weight is slowly shifted on the front leg.

Candle posture or Ardha Sarvanagasana is a yoga exercise involving pan body posture and shoulder stand. It is a beneficial posture for those who want to lose belly fat. It greatly helps for better thyroid functioning and rejuvenates the complete body system.

Cobra pose or Bhujangasan aids in firming up and toning the buttocks. It also strengthens and stretches the shoulders, spine, abdominal muscles, and the chest. The Bikram yoga is popularly practiced by most sports persons and celebrities. It aids in losing weight by burning excess fats around the waist and other areas in the body. It is used as a substitute for aerobic and cardiovascular exercises.

Breathing exercises are also important part of yoga. A set of breathing exercises called as Pranayama is very effective for weight loss. These exercises should be guided by experts as it can give harmful effects to the body if performed the wrong way. During the exercise, the exhalation is forcefully performed while the belly is draw in. Afterwards, the inhalation process happens automatically and not passively. This cycle is repeated for five minutes.