Yoga is a union of mental, physical and spiritual practices. When it comes to yoga exercises for weight loss, we need to go in for physically-demanding, which require burning calories. If somebody is following the regular mild, less-stressful yoga routine, apart from breathing exercises and meditation, it could be a slow process. So, yoga to lose weight and reduce belly fat must involve some strenuous asanas of power yoga too, like Surya Namaskar, Sirasana (Headstand) and Eka Pada Koundinyasana (hurdle pose) which first must be learnt under supervision or done with somebody’s help.
However, to begin with, here are a few top weight loss yoga asanas for beginners which you can start right away at home.
Best Yoga Asanas for Weight Loss:
1. Surya Namaskar- Sun Salutation Pose
Surya Namaskar is a wholesome exercise that contains eight yoga asanas. It is traditionally the best morning yoga practice for weight loss on an empty stomach. It is typically introduced at the beginning of a more extended yoga practice.
How does Surya Namaskar Asana (Sun Salutation pose) help in weight loss?
Surya Namaskar Asana is regarded as a miraculous weight-loss remedy because of its ability to engage a variety of muscle groups, boost metabolism, and improve cardiovascular health. Yoga to reduce belly fat, however, depends on maintaining a regular workout routine and eating a healthy diet. Moreover, the number of Surya Namaskar Asana required for weight loss varies depending on the practitioner’s level of practice, present weight, level of fitness, and overall health. It’s debated whether Sun Salutation pose can actually burn calories. However, it is believed that performing one cycle of the Surya Namaskar Asana can typically burn 13–17 calories for a person weighing 68 kg.
How many times do I do Surya Namaskar?
Start with 5 to 10 rounds of Surya Namaskar Asana (Sun Salutation pose). It is believed that doing 12 Surya Namaskar will help you lose weight. It’s widely accepted that performing 100 Sun Salutations without stopping would assist you in achieving size zero.
2. Virabhadrasna- Warrior Pose
Balance is the secret. Instead of giving up on goals (I am no good, I can’t do it, etc.), develop your Virabhadra, so you can take action and influence the things you can. Our minds and bodies are intertwined; a feeling or thought can cause a shift in how you are positioned, that is what Virabhadrasna (Warrior Pose) does.
How does Virabhadrasna (Warrior Pose) help in weight loss?
Virabhadrasna puts strain on the abdominal muscles and helps in reducing weight. The important thing to remember is that you’ll gain more benefits if you stay in this yoga exercise for a longer time. The lower body is the main target of the warrior pose.
How many times can we do Virabhadrasna (Warrior Pose)?
5 times, hold for 10 sec on each side, best to hold for 2 minutes on each side
3. Adho Mukha Svanasana- Downward Dog Pose
Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Dog Pose) is transitional exercise in many asanas like Surya Namaskar and can also be a resting position. A weight-bearing exercise, downward dog pose increases the strength of external oblique muscles, the backs of the legs’ hamstring and calf muscles are stretched during the downward dog pose.
Does Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Dog Pose) help in losing belly fat?
This Yoga asana strengthens your core, reduce weight, and sheds fat from your abdomen, the key is how long you stay in pose and hold your breath.
How many times can we do Adho Mukha Svanasana?
2-3 times, count your breaths 5-10 times
4. Dhanurasana- Bow Pose
Just as a well-strung bow is a warrior’s trademark, a well-stretched body is the trademark of a flexible body with good posture. Breathe in and breathe out when you go into and come out of the Dhanurasana, respectively.
How does Dhanurasana (Bow Pose) help in losing tummy fat?
Besides increasing blood circulation in the body, Dhanurasana (Bow Pose) helps in burning fat, help in weight loss, and tones the chest, arms, abdomen and thigh area as well.
How many times can we do Dhanurasana?
3-5 times, breathe in, hold for 25-30 sec, release
5. Setu Bandha Sarvangasana- Bridge Pose
Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (Bridge Pose) stretches the whole body and uses all your limbs. Because this asana brings your head beneath your heart, it shares many of the benefits of conventional inversions (upside-down poses). It increases body heat and, therefore, the digestive fire.
How does Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (Bridge Pose) help in losing tummy fat?
Setu Bandha Sarvangasana balances hormones and metabolism which results in burning fat and help to reduce weight. It tightens the glutes (muscles in the buttock area), tones the muscles and works on the thyroid.
How many times can I do Setu Bandha Sarvangasana?
8-10 times, hold a asana for a few seconds
6. Trikonasana- Triangle Pose
The relatively easy Trikonasana (Triangle Pose) involves standing with the feet wide apart and reaching one hand down to the ankle while the other arm stretches upward towards the ceiling, forming a triangular shape with the body.
How does Trikonasana (Triangle Pose) help in weight loss?
The Trikonasana (Triangle Pose) helps to improve digestion as well as reduce the weight and fat deposited in the belly and waist. It stimulates and improves blood circulation throughout the body. The lateral motion of this asana helps you burn more fat from the waist and build more muscles in the thighs and hamstrings. This Triangle Pose also improves balance & concentration.
How many times can I do Trikonasana?
3-6 times, hold for 10-30 sec
7. Urdhva Dhanurasana- Wheel Pose
Urdhva Dhanurasana (Wheel Pose) counteracts the typical modern-day sitting posture as it opens the chest, shoulders, and hips. It is usually done near the end of a yoga practice. Urdhva Dhanurasana yoga is a one-man army.
How does Urdhva Dhanurasana (Wheel Pose) help in reducing belly fat?
This yoga asana accelerates your metabolism to a whole new level, improves digestion, which is critical for yoga exercise for a flat tummy, and gives more oxygen to the lungs to burn calories faster.
How many times do we do Urdhva Dhanurasana?
3-5 times with rest for 1-2 minutes, hold for 20—30 sec
Yoga Tips for Weight Loss:
- Focus on when to breathe in and breathe out and how long to stay in a particular yoga pose
- All the asanas are interlinked, so one asana gives more than one benefit
- Do yoga asana for weight loss regularly if you want to see results
- Yoga exercises work slowly, but it does work. Don’t expect your weight to reduce immediately.
- Apart from yoga practice, add gym/ running, and walking to your routine on alternate days to pair with your power yoga.
- Develop healthy eating habits while doing yoga asana, you must eat well and maintain a calorie deficit.
- Start slowly, build up flexibility
- Seek an instructor’s help initially for doing difficult yoga poses
Frequently Asked Questions About Weight Loss Yoga Asanas:
Does yoga asana help with weight loss?
How effective your yoga poses will be, will depend on your energy expenditure during yoga sessions. It will help you practice mindful eating, which means recognizing hunger cues and limiting binge eating. It’s about listening to your body’s cues. Stress can make weight loss very difficult because it can cause cortisol to rise, stress-eating, and trouble sleeping.
Is yoga asana better than the gym for weight loss?
Yoga poses may not help you lose weight directly but will create appropriate conditions in the body so that the body naturally stops accumulating fat and manages weight, provided you select nutrient-dense foods, exercise portion control, and time the meals.
How many calories does 30-minute yoga help to burn?
In general, 30 minutes of yoga asanas can burn 150–300 calories, depending on the type of yoga practiced, the length of the yoga session, and the degree to which each posture is challenging.
