Yoga is not just a medium to stay fit, it is soul food. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Increased weight can be an invitation to several other health problems. Yoga can be a safe and effective method to lose weight. Yoga postures incorporate breath control and conscious breathing to increase your heart rate, balance your blood pressure, improve blood circulation and also enhance your overall being. It can be done twice a day, preferably early in the morning and also in the evening. This 15-minute yoga routine can be helpful for you to fasten your weight loss and maintain overall health.
Health Shots spoke to Himalayan Siddha Akshar – Yoga Expert and Founder, Akshar Yoga Research and Development Centre, to list some easy yoga asanas that are weight loss friendly too.
Here’s are some yoga routines to follow for quick weight loss:
1. Siddha Walk
You can start your exercise routine with Siddha Walk which is also known by the names Mind Walk, Yoga Walk, and Infinity Walk. This will also act as a warm up for the rest of your practice. This is a spiritual practice where you trace the figure 8 preferably on the ground or grass with your bare feet. Walk in the shape of 8 from south to north for 5 minutes and then reverse the direction for the same duration.
2. Surya Namaskar
You can practice techniques such as Surya namaskar, Chandra namaskar and also include pranayama techniques like Kapalbhati for weight loss.
Steps to perform Surya Namaskar
Pranam Asana (The Prayer pose)
Hastha Utanasana (Raised arm pose)
Padahastasana (Standing forward bend)
Ashwa Sanchalanasana (Equestrian pose)
Santholanasana (Plank Pose)
Ashtanga Namaskar Asana (Eight limbed salutation)
Bhujangasana (Cobra pose)
Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward dog pose)
Ashwa Sanchalanasana (Equestrian pose)
Padahastasana (Standing forward bend)
Hastha Utanasana (Raised arm pose)
Pranam Asana (The Prayer pose)“Repeat these 12 steps to the other side and start with the left leg to complete one full cycle. Along with sun salutation or moon salutation, you can also perform the following sequence of asanas a minimum of two times a day and achieve significant weight loss,” says Akshar
15-minute yoga asana sequence
Follow this short but dynamic yoga routine for weight loss that you can do within 15 minutes. If you are a beginner, practice slowly. Akshar suggests doing the following yoga poses everyday to achieve your fitness goals.
1. Utkatasana
Start in Samasthithi
Bend your knees and shift your weight on your heels
Inhale and lift both arms up
Look up at your palms
Try this simple asana for a quick weight loss. Image Courtesy: Shutterstock
2. Padhasthasana
Start in Samasthithi
Exhale and fold forward
Bend from the hip and try to bring your belly close to your thighs
Reach down with your palms or fingertips
Place them beside your feet
3. Santolansana
Start in table top pose or Marjariasana or jump back from Padahasthasana
Straighten your knees
Maintain alignment of palms under shoulders and knees under hips
Keep both arms straight
Engage your abdominal muscles
4. Urdhvamukhi Svanasana
From Santolanasana, inhale and drop your hips down.
You are still on your palms and toes
Do not let your belly touch the floor
5. Adomukhi Svanasana
From Urdhvamukhi Svanasana, exhale and lift your hips
Try to bring heels down as you push the floor away
Your body is shaped like a triangle
Adho mukha svanasana, the secret to sculpted body. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
6. Santolanasana
Bring your hips down to Plank
Straighten your knees
Maintain alignment of palms under shoulders and knees under hips
Keep both arms straight
Engage your abdominal muscles
7. Vashishtasana (Palms and Elbow variations)
From santolansana, turn towards your left side
Balance on your right palm
You can place one foot atop of the other or bring the left leg forward and foot down
Repeat on the other side
You can try this both palms as well as elbows
Try vashishtasana to balance your body weight. Image Courtesy: Akshar
8. Balasana
Drop your knees down
Sit back in child’s pose to rest your pelvis on your heels
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An aesthete and a skincare junkie, Shifa spends most of her time cooking delish food while wearing a sheet mask. At HealthShots, she creates high-octane content that can leave you all a little intrigued!