A sedentary lifestyle and lack of a fitness routine wrecks havoc to your body. When you’ve got no time or energy to hit the gym, yoga comes to your rescue and helps with a wide range of health problems. In this article, we will focus on the yoga postures that boost your metabolism and accelerate weight loss.
Here you go…
1. Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose)
Setu Bandha Sarvangasana or Bridge Pose works your back, legs, and glutes, helping in weight loss from all these areas of your body.
How To Do It
- Lie down facing upwards with your feet parallel and hip-width apart.
- Bend your knees, placing your feet flat on the ground with your heels close to your hips.
- Place your palm on the floor to lift your hips upwards.
- Engage your core muscles and hold the pose for 15 to 20 seconds.
- Slowly release the pose and lower your hips to the ground.
- Repeat this posture 5 to 6 times.
2. Ustrasana (Camel Pose)
The asana improves metabolism and accelerates weight loss. That apart, it improves blood flow in the head and eliminates toxins from the bloodstream, contributing to skin health. It also improves hormone functioning. Individuals with high or low blood pressure and those with neck or back injury should not practise this yoga.
How To Do It
- Sit on your knees with your legs hip-width apart.
- Push your hips forward, inhale to expand your chest, keep your core engaged and then move backwards.
- Drop your shoulders back and keep the palms on your heels.
- Extend your head and neck backwards.
- Hold the pose for 30 to 60 seconds and then release gently.
3. Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)
This asana ensures a spurt of energy, strengthens the arms and legs, and reduces stress – all of which contributes to improving your metabolism. Refrain from practising this asan if you have spondylitis, hernia, or ne2ck of back injury.
How To Do It
- Lie on the ground with your stomach facing downwards.
- Bend your legs backwards and hold the ankles with your hands.
- Lift your chest and thighs off the mat.
- Inhale and exhale normally while holding the posture.
- While releasing the posture, exhale slowly and come back to the starting position.
4. Halasana (Plough Pose)
The posture exercises your entire body, helping you improve your metabolism and help you lose weight.
How To Do It
- Lie down on your back with your face facing the ceiling and palms touching the ground.
- Inhale and then lift your legs at 90 degrees to the floor.
- Lift it down over your head to the other side of the floor.
- Hold this position for about a minute before returning to the original position.
5. Kumbhakasana (Plank Pose)
Kumbhakasana is known for strengthening the core muscles. In addition to core muscles, it also works on the shoulders, back, and legs.
How To Do It
- Get into a push-up position with your palms and toes on the floor.
- Keep your arms shoulder-width apart and your body in a straight posture.
- Tighten your abdominal muscles and hold the pose for 20-30 seconds.
- Inhale and exhale as usual while holding the pose.
- Repeat this 5-7 times.
6. Naukasana (Boat Pose)
This is an effective yoga posture for toning the abdominal muscles, strengthening the lower back, and improving digestion and metabolism.
How To Do It
- Lie down on your back, keeping your arms and legs straight.
- Breathe in and lift your upper body and legs off the ground, placing them at a 45-degree angle.
- Keep your arms parallel to the thighs.
- Hold the pose for 15 to 20 seconds and then release.
- Repeat the pose 5 to 6 times.
7. Vrikshasana (Tree Pose)
This yoga pose tones and strengthens the entire leg, helping strengthen the pelvic muscles, apart from initiation weight loss.
How To Do It
- Stand straight with feet 3 inches apart from one another.
- Find a central point to focus on.
- Gradually lift your right leg and place your foot on the inside of your left thigh. Do this while you exhale.
- Inhale and raise your arms above your head. Join your palms in namaste.
- Maintain the balance while breathing deeply.
- Suck your tummy in and keep extending your spine towards your arms.
- Hold the pose as long as possible.
- Repeat with the other leg.
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