Will Yoga Help Me Lose Weight?

Many might argue and say why do yoga and not aerobics, or any other form of weight loss exercises that could be more useful in losing calories. There are many others too who don't think of the fact that yoga does not just benefit the body, but also the mind and soul, thus making it eligible to be considered as a more mellowed-down or relaxed form of exercise for weight loss. It may sound contracting but that's the very reason why many people these days opt for yoga practices for weight loss and mental peace. So if you are confused and asking yourself will yoga help me lose weight, then the answer is yes and you'd find out how and why as we further discuss yoga health benefits and yoga to lose fat or burn calories.

Yoga Positions for Weight Loss

To let those stubborn fat stores in your body in a subtle way, nothing better than yoga positions for losing weight could be the best bet to achieve this. Many of us have heard of 'power yoga' as one of the most common and effective forms of yoga for weight loss. However, there are different types of yoga that can be practiced in order to burn fat and attain a perfect body. So understand and follow the asanas or yoga positions mentioned below and get answers to your bothering question, will yoga help me lose weight.

Ardha Sarvangasana
Ardha Sarvanagasana also known by alternate names such as candle posture, shoulder stand and pan body posture, this asana or yoga position is a very beneficial form of yoga to lose belly fat. Other than that, it rejuvenates the entire body system and helps greatly in better thyroid functioning. Let us see how to do ardha sarvangasana in a step-by-step way.

Instructions

1. Lie flat on your back, place your hands on the lower back in a way that it supports you in lifting the legs up in the air while your upper arms and elbows rest on the ground.
2. If done correctly you'll feel the weight of your body on the shoulders and on the mid and upper back. Please note that you should feel heaviness on your neck or else it will imply that the position is incorrect.
3. When you take the right position, breath slowly and deeply for 5 to 10 minutes while holding the posture intact.
4. When coming back to the normal position your legs should be straight and then bring your legs down slowly.
5. Increase the duration of holding the posture gradually, which would happen with practice.

Note: Although ardha sarvangasana is a very effective yoga position for weight loss, it is not recommended for those with heavy hips as the entire weight of the body falls on the shoulder and for those suffering from low back pain, cervical spondylitis, blocked sinuses, inflammation of the throat and high blood pressure.

***The picture on the left half of this article image is Ardha Sarvangasana***

Bhujangasan
Also known as the cobra pose, it helps in toning and firming up the buttocks and also stretches and strengthens the abdominal muscles, the spine, shoulders and also the chest. Bhujangasan is also one of the parts of surya namaskar or sun salutation, now let's see how to do this asana. Bhujangasan is one of the parts of surya namaskar or sun salutation.

Instructions

1. Lie on your stomach in a way that your forehead, chin and chest touches the ground along with the tops of the feet also touching down the floor.
2. Position your arms parallel to both sides of the body and your palms should be at the sides of your chest.
3. Now start to inhale slowly and while inhaling, slowly raise your upper body including your head and chest and stretch backwards, as much as you can but ensure that you don't over stress.
4. While holding the position mentioned in the previous step, your chest and head should be positioned upwards
5. Hold the posture for as long as you can hold it comfortably and then release it to get back to the original position by slowly exhaling and bringing down your upper body back to the floor.

Note: Pregnant women must not practice this yoga exercise at all and it is also not recommended for those with intestinal tuberculosis, hernia, pelvic ulcers and hyperthyroidism.

***The picture on the right half of this article image is Bhujangasana***

Bikram Yoga
Popularly practiced by many celebrities and sports persons, it helps in losing weight by burning the excess fat surrounding the waist and other areas. It could be used as a substitute for cardiovascular and aerobic exercises as the results are more or less the same and a more relaxed form to achieve something as rigid as weight loss. It won't be possible to explain a step-by-step instruction for beginners as Bikram yoga consists of 26 different yoga poses and is advisable to be performed only with the help of a trained yoga practitioner or instructor. Practice it with the help of a yoga instructor and you'd find the answer to, will yoga help me lose weight.

Besides the above mentioned yoga exercises, ashtanga yoga and hatha yoga are also a great form of yoga to lose love handles and fat, that you want to get rid of. I hope with the existing knowledge of yoga and the benefits of the yoga positions mentioned in this article, you'll be encouraged to practice yoga. Stay fit and healthy... All the best!