Top Yoga Poses For Weight Loss And Body Toning

Did you know you can use yoga to aid in weight loss? Well, you can. It is considered one of the most effective methods you can use to fight fat build up. Plus, as an added bonus, yoga reduces the level of stress hormones zipping through your system. It also amps up your sensitivity to insulin which tells your body to burn calories instead of storing them.

Want to know the top yoga poses for weight loss? Here they are in no particular order.

1 – The Chair

The yoga pose identified as The Chair is one that will target your buttocks and thighs. The way in which to do this move is by starting in a standing position with your feet together, toes forward and arms at your side. Raise your arms overhead as you inhale, with palms facing each other. As you exhale, sit back at a 45-degree angle, keeping your knees positioned behind the toes, your abs tight for back support and looking forward. Essentially you should look as if you are seated in an invisible chair.

2 – The Hover

Here’s a yoga pose that will target and firm your shoulders, arms, abs and back. The move starts in a push-up position. You should be on your toes with your arms straight, and hands below your shoulders. Your body must be in line from your head down to your feet. As you exhale, lower your chest to the floor, bending your elbows back and keeping your arms close to your body. Your abs should be held tight and once you achieve this position, hold it a few inches above the floor. You should look as if you are hovering above the floor.

3 – The Rocking Boat

For a change, it’s not such a bad thing to rock the boat – especially if it has to do with your weight loss goals. It is also intended to firm your back and abs. This pose starts in a seated position with your knees bent and feet on the floor and hands on your thighs. Lean back at about 45-degrees holding your head in line with the rest of your body. As you lean back, raise your feet until your calves are parallel with the floor with toes pointed. As you inhale, extend your arms and legs, but keep your legs together. Exhale and then on your next inhale, lower your torso a few inches (3 or 4) to form a ‘V’ shape with your body. Exhale again but this time raise your torso and legs. For best results, repeat this 3 to 5 times. You are trying to look as if you are rocking in an attempt to find balance.

4 – The Willow

For firming your sides and abs, this is a good yoga pose for weight loss. You begin by standing with your feet together and arms at your sides. Place the sole of your left foot on the inside of the opposite thigh, making sure to bend your knee to the side. Touch your palms together in front of your chest for two breaths. Extend arms upwards on your third inhale pointing your fingertips to the ceiling. Exhale and as you do, bend your torso to the left. Straighten up on the next inhale. Repeat this 3 to 5 times then reverse the position so that the sole of your right foot in on the inside of the opposite thigh.

5 – The Crescent

To firm your abs, thighs and hips, this is a great yoga pose. To begin, stand with your feet together with your toes facing forward and arms at your sides. As you inhale, raise your arms overhead with fingertips stretched towards the ceiling. As you exhale, bend forward from the hips and go as far as the point where you can touch the floor with your hands. If you have to bend your knees slightly, go ahead and listen to your body. Inhale and then as you exhale again, move your right leg back into a lunge. In case you are not sure, a lunge is where your leg is bent at the knee to a 90-degree angle with your knee positioned above the ankle, and right leg on the ball of the foot in an extended position. Inhale once more and as you do, lift your arms overhead and face forward. Hold this for a moment or two then return to the standing position that you started this pose with. Repeat the entire cycle but alternating legs for the lunge.

How To Make Yoga Poses Assist With Your Weight Loss Goals

For best results, you should have the proper gear in place for your yoga workout. This means a yoga mat or at the very least, a place that has a carpeted floor. The poses described above will produce weight loss benefits provided you follow the instructions correctly and perform these poses at least three times a week.

When holding a pose, do so for up to five deep breaths unless the instructions above suggest otherwise. You can also reduce the time it takes to see results by holding each pose longer, but normally not more than 8 breaths. You can also speed up the time it takes to see results by increasing the number of repetitions you complete of each pose.

How Long Should It Take To See Results?

There will be many variables in play, but generally speaking, you should start to see changes in about three weeks. Do not worry if it takes longer to show as the more accomplished you become with these yoga poses for weight loss, the stronger your body will become. With more muscle mass you will be able to burn off more calories.

Using yoga for slimming the body is good as it is low impact and can be done just about anytime and anywhere without the need for large, expensive pieces of exercise equipment. Plus, you’ll be beating stress at the same time!

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