Last Updated:- 27th April 2023
Introduction
Yoga is an ancient practice that can help you achieve physical and mental well-being. Apart from its spiritual benefits, yoga is also a great way to lose weight. In this blog, we will answer some of the topical questions related to weight loss with yoga.
Which type of yoga is best for weight loss?
There are many types of yoga, and each type has its benefits. However, if you are looking to lose weight, then Power Yoga or Vinyasa Yoga are the best choices. These types of yoga involve dynamic movements and provide a great cardio workout, which helps in burning calories and shedding pounds.
Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar)
Sun Salutation is a popular power yoga sequence that involves a series of 12 yoga poses performed in a continuous flow. This sequence targets various muscle groups and provides a full-body workout that helps in weight loss. Sun Salutation also helps improve flexibility and balance, which are essential for any fitness routine. Here's how to do Sun Salutation:
- Stand at the front of your mat with your hands in prayer position.
- Inhale and raise your arms above your head, then exhale and fold forward.
- Inhale and lift your torso halfway, then exhale and jump back into a plank position.
- Lower your body down to the ground, then inhale and lift your chest into Cobra pose.
- Exhale and lift your hips into Downward Dog pose.
- Jump your feet to your hands, then inhale and lift your torso halfway.
- Exhale and fold forward, then inhale and raise your arms above your head.
- Exhale and bring your hands to prayer position.
Plank Pose (Phalakasana)
Plank pose is a core-strengthening yoga pose that targets your abs, back, and arms. This pose also improves posture and helps prevent lower back pain. Here's how to do Plank pose:
- Begin in a push-up position with your hands directly under your shoulders.
- Keep your body in a straight line from head to heels, engaging your core and glutes.
- Hold the pose for 30 seconds to one minute, then release.
Boat Pose (Navasana)
Boat pose is an intense yoga pose that targets your abs, back, and hip flexors. This pose strengthens your core and helps improve balance and posture. Here's how to do Boat pose:
- Sit on your mat with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground.
- Lean back slightly, engage your core, and lift your feet off the ground.
- Extend your arms forward, parallel to the ground.
- Hold the pose for 30 seconds to one minute, then release.
Is 20 minutes of yoga a day enough to lose weight?
If you are short on time, practising yoga for 20 minutes a day can still help in losing weight. However, you need to make sure that you are doing the right poses. Yoga poses like the Downward-Facing Dog, Chair Pose, and Tree Pose are great for weight loss, and practising them for 20 minutes can be effective in shedding pounds.
Can you lose belly fat with yoga?
Yes, yoga can definitely help in losing belly fat. Yoga poses like the Plank, Boat Pose, and Cobra Pose are great for toning the abdominal muscles and reducing belly fat. Practising these poses regularly can help in achieving a flat and toned stomach.
How many months should I do yoga to lose weight?
The duration of practising yoga for losing weight depends on various factors like your current weight, fitness level, and diet. However, if you practise yoga for at least 3-4 months consistently, you will start seeing results. You can gradually increase the duration and intensity of your practice as you progress.
Why am I not losing weight with yoga?
There are some common mistakes that people make while practising yoga for weight loss. These include not practising consistently, not doing the right poses, and not maintaining a balanced diet. To see results, it's important to practise yoga regularly, do the right poses, and follow a healthy diet.
How long does it take to notice weight loss from yoga?
The time it takes to notice weight loss from yoga varies from person to person. However, if you practise yoga consistently for at least 3-4 months, you will start seeing noticeable results. Yoga poses like the Boat Pose, Plank Pose, and Warrior Pose are great for weight loss and can help you achieve your goals.
Why am I gaining weight while doing yoga?
Ayurveda is a system for restoring and maintaining balance. We have all heard the term "work-life balance". We all have experienced times in our life when work, education, sports or other material ambitions and activities were pursued in excess, disrupting our ideal of a "balanced life". But being busy in life, working excessively or being overburdened with some responsibility are not the only imbalances that we may experience. Ayurveda speaks of nutritional imbalances, energetic imbalances and even mental imbalances as being intimately connected to our health. In Ayurveda, every person is comprised of three energy humours, three energy systems: vata (the principle of space and movement), pitha (the principle of conversion), and kapha (the principle of matter, stability and fluidity). When these three energy systems are balanced in the body and mind, we experience good health. When these three energy systems are out of balance, we experience ill health to the extent of the imbalance. So one of the jobs of an Ayurvedic doctor is to determine the imbalances present in his/her patient and then to recommend a course of action to improve and restore balance, thereby enabling the body and mind to function optimally. However, in the literature on Ayurveda, there is enough information available on the chief causes of imbalances to enable us to make certain lifestyle adjustments to bring about more balance. In short, we don't need to wait for an Ayurvedic doctor to tell us what to do and what not to do, if we are willing to do our research on Ayurveda and implement the wisdom therein.
Conclusion
Yoga is a great way to lose weight and achieve physical and mental well-being. By practising yoga regularly and doing the right poses, you can shed pounds and achieve a toned and healthy body. Remember to combine yoga with a healthy diet and lifestyle for the best results.
We hope that this blog has answered some of the topical questions related to weight loss with yoga. If you have any more questions or need more guidance, feel free to contact us at AyurRooms.
