How does Yoga make you lose weight?
Yoga is an active form of meditation that makes use of Asanas (Sanskrit word for poses), Pranayama (breathing) and Shatkarma (internal cleansing).
Each Yoga poses has a great impact on the body both physically and internally.
Depending on what pose you do, Yoga can make for an intense workout proven to be effective in losing weight.
This is because performing these Yoga poses stimulates the whole body increasing the demand for energy thus boosting metabolism consequently losing weight!
And Yoga’s awesomeness does not end there, with consistent Yoga practice you are going to develop your body’s strength and flexibility, you will be able to gain more control of your body.
You’ll be surprised one day you are holding yourself upside down!
Doing Yoga in the morning, in particular, is great for your metabolism. It is a good way to get yourself ready for the day ahead.
I personally love to do Yoga session just after I get out of bed. My routine is to drink a glass of water after I wake up and straight to the mat!
This 5 minute Yoga session is short and sweet but gives you that blasting energy for boosting metabolism for the rest of the day and lose weight without even trying!
First, start with Sukhasana or the Easy Pose, doing this pose allows you to acknowledge your purpose and listen to your body.
To do this pose.
Down on the mat, bring yourself into a sitting position. Bend your knees, cross the shins as you widen your knees and place each foot beneath the opposite knee. Your legs should be forming a triangle.
Find your ease, relax your feet and draw attention to your upper body. Keep the back upright. You can place the hands on each knee with palms up or down it’s entirely up to how it feels comfortable to you.
Take a few deep breaths… you may close your eyes, this is the moment where you bring awareness to your body. You can move your head side to side or however feels better to you.
Stay in this position for 30 seconds or for 8 -10 deep breaths.
Next…
From Sukhasana, bring yourself to all fours. In Yoga, this means bringing your hands and knees to a tabletop position. Knees below the hips with wrist, elbows and shoulder perpendicular to the floor. Head on a neutral position, eyes looking down the floor.
Go on Adho Mukha Svanasana or Downward Facing Dog Pose.
To do this.
Press your palms firmly on the floor, straighten the knees, while lifting the hips back towards the ceiling. Firm your shoulder blades against your back as you widen them, drawing them towards the tailbone. Keep the head in between your upper arms.
Hold this pose for 3 seconds. This Pose serves as a transition pose for this session.
However, the downward facing dog is a great resting stretch for your hamstrings and calves, relieving stress in general, strengthens the arms, relieves neck and back pain.
From Downward Facing Dog, bring yourself to Plank Pose.
To do this.
Take a few deep breaths. Inhale and draw the torso forward until the arms are perpendicular to the floor, shoulders directly over the wrist and parallel to the floor.
Press on the palms of hands, spread the fingers pressing them to the floor to widen and strengthen the base of your hands. Firm the shoulder blades, spread them away from your spine, collarbones away from the sternum.
Engage the muscles in your abdomen, back, and thighs. Take a few deep breaths, hold the pose for 1 minute.
The Plank is a core blasting pose great for burning fat in your midsection, it also strengthens the arms, thighs, and legs.
Straight from the Plank Pose go back to Downward Facing Dog. Find your ease. You may modify this pose to what feels comfortable. Hold this pose for another 3 seconds.
Then shift to a Side Plank Pose.
To do this.
Shift your body on to the right side. Right palm pressing firmly on the floor. Stack the left foot on top of the right foot. Take a deep breath, and slowly raise the left arm up towards the sky. Keep the whole body aligned. Hold this pose for 30 seconds.
Then, go back to Downward Facing Dog. Stay in the pose for another 3 seconds. Then go on the Side Plank Pose for the opposite side. Follow the previous instruction above for the opposite side.
After this, release the pose, you may go back to a downward facing dog or simply bring yourself to all fours. Take a few deep breaths and find your ease.
Next…
Prepare for a Boat Pose. Another pose great for burning belly fat and toning the core muscles.
To do this.
Bring yourself to a sitting position with legs straight in front. Bring awareness to your back, keep the back straight while the neck and head over the shoulder.
Take a few deep breaths, exhale bend the knees, lean back slightly as you lift your feet off the ground, keeping the feet perpendicular to the floor, then extend the arms forward parallel to your legs. Hold this Pose for 3-5 seconds with 5 repetitions
After this, bring yourself to Tadasana or the Mountain Pose, a standing pose of ease and to relax.
Stay in this pose for about 10-20 seconds then go on Utkatanasana or the Chair Pose.
To do this.
From Tadasana, bend your knees, sit back as if you are sitting on a chair. Raise your arms towards the sky. Broaden your chest and lift the torso. Draw attention to your feet, your heels should be pressing the floor with toes at ease. Hold this pose for 1 minute.
Release the Pose and go back to Tadasana. Find your ease, take a few deep breaths and bring awareness to your body.
Feel the energy you have experienced and use it for the rest of your day!
