Yoga for Weight Loss

Around globe people facing two major problems due to fast forward life style, gaining weight & obesity range amongst the top. This problem is very common in small kids. This is due to imbalance between the intake and expenditure of energy in the body. In today world everyone wants look young & healthy; slimmer than other person. There are different ways adapted by people for weight loss. The best way for weight loss is yoga. Yoga works in an exclusive way. It works on the endocrinal system and changes the hormonal balance in the body. Unwanted fat from the body is removed by burning calories as well as by altering the hormonal balance of the whole body. Yoga asanas tone up the body by penetrating deep into each tissue and muscle which general exercises cannot achieve. Yoga will help you change the functioning of your entire system, lose weight and build a healthy muscle tone.

Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend) is a mainstay of an asana practice. The pose stretches the spine, hamstrings and shoulders, encourages the free flow of the breath and stimulates the liver and kidneys. This pose gives relaxation, calms anxiety. Soft exhaling breath should be used in this pose. Be careful to work with your own limitations.

• Paschimottanasana is also beneficial for insomnia, high blood pressure and menstrual pain.
• A lovely stretch for the back of the spine and hamstrings, paschimottanasana can also improve digestion and calm headaches.
• A wonderful opportunity to work with the breath, as the back of the rib cage opens.
• Forward bends are naturally calming: this asana can relieve mild depression and anxiety. Tucking the head in will make this asana more introspective, though may restrict the breath.

Sit in vajrasana (sit back on your heels with legs folded).Straighten one leg backwards. Place your palms in front and place the front heel away from the groin. -Inhale slowly and make a cup with your fingertips. Now stretch your upper body backwards and look upwards. Hold this posture for 10-30 seconds. Bring your leg back and relax. Repeat the same cycle on the other side.

• Stretches and shapes the outer portion of the thighs.
• Removes double chin.
• Stretches abdomen, removing fat from this area.
• Strengthens the back muscles.

In Trikonasana entire body weight comes to rest on the calves of the bent legs, along with the muscles of the hand that is resting on the floor, strengthening both of them in turn. A number of muscles are stretched well, which results in an improvement in their functioning. The asana also improves balance and concentration.

• It helps strengthen the legs as well as the back of a person.
• It increases flexibility of spine.
• It helps strengthen and stimulate the kidneys as well as the abdominal region.
• It helps strengthen neck muscles, alleviates backaches and neck pain.
• It helps in removing fat from the waist and thighs.
• It is beneficial for those who are suffering from constipation and indigestion.

In this asana, you are required to start from the Tadasana pose (straight erect posture) and then hinge forward, bending at the hips and letting the head hang. Apart from stretching the legs and spine, Uttanasana is believed to calm down the mind as well as the body.

• It provides a complete stretching exercise to the entire back side of your body.
• It helps rejuvenate the spinal nerves of a person and also tones the kidneys, liver, and spleen.
• It helps make the mind peaceful and calm.
• It helps to improve flexibility spine, hips, sciatic nerves, tendons and ligaments of legs.
• It helps revitalize and invigorate the nervous system.
• It improves blood circulation in the legs and also increases the suppleness of the hamstrings.

In this form of asan, the entire weight of the body lies on the shoulder blade. The exercise proves to be beneficial in strengthening the abdomen. It also helps in proper thyroid functioning. Ardha Sarvangasana can be done two times a day - once in the morning and then in the evening. In the following lines, we have mentioned the exact steps needed for performing Ardha Sarvangasana, its benefits and people who should not do the exercise.

• Helps in proper thyroid functioning
• Strengthening of abdomen
• Stretches upper back
• Increases blood circulation
• Encourages relaxation
• Accentuates the flow of blood and energy to the brain
• Stimulates mental functions
• Enhances memory and concentration
• Relieve from some headaches

The word Virabhadrasana is a conjunction of two words Virabhadra and Asana which literally means the posture of a warrior. Virbhadrasana, as the name suggests is very similar to the position that a warrior holds. It is basically particularly compelling asana, full of emblematic and vigorous physical power. The entire Virabhadrasana is performed in three stages - Virabhadrasana I, Virabhadrasana II and Virabhadrasana III. The entire asana is meant to increase the strength, courage, endurance and confidence of the performer.

• Virabhadrasana brings flexibility to the entire body.
• It helps in strengthening the lower torso and stimulates abdominal organs.
• It also teaches your body balancing and coordination of body parts.
• It also improves circulation and respiration process in the body.
• Virabhadrasana is also good for improving concentration.
• It also improves posture and energizes the entire body.
• It is beneficial in carpal tunnel syndrome, flat feet, infertility, osteoporosis, and sciatica.
• Virabhadrasana is known to increase stamina.