The Best Yoga Poses to Practice for Weight Loss

By: Elise Morgan

Yoga is a great way to calm the mind. But did you know that it’s also an excellent way to get in shape and lose some weight? Start your exercise journey with the best yoga poses that can help to burn excess fat, build muscle tone, and provide you with more flexibility.

1. Plank
Holding a plank posture is one of the best ways to add strength to your core. The pose might not seem like much, but when you drop into a plank it will not take long before you feel the effects in your abs. Try to make subtle chances to add more intensity. It helps to tone your arms and also strengthens your biceps and triceps. However, don’t try this if you are suffering from a shoulder or hip injury.

2. Downward Dog
Also known as Adho Mukha Svanasana, the downward dog is a weight-bearing yoga pose. In this posture, you should hold up your upper body with your hands. The pose helps to tone the arms and biceps. However, do not try the downward dog pose if you have carpal tunnel syndrome.

3. Sun Salutations
The sun salutations (Surya Namaskara) pose gradually strengthens and warms up your muscles and gets the blood circulating. Additionally, the pose builds internal heat as it stretches and tones most of the primary muscles. Sun salutations can help to trim your waistline, tone your arms, improve digestion and balance your metabolism.

4. Lion Pose
The lion pose, otherwise known as Simhasana helps to tone facial muscles and is an excellent stress reliever as well. It’s a basic yoga pose and anybody can perform it, regardless of their age. Holding a lion pose and sticking your tongue out, stretches your facial muscles, thorax and spine.

5. Warrior II
Tone your thigh and shoulder muscles today with the Warrior II (Virabhadrasana B) pose. To get the most out of this move, try to bend the front knee such that your thigh lies parallel to the ground. The longer you can maintain this posture, the tighter your quads will become. Try to calm the brain and breathe and switch from one side to the next.

6. Warrior III
If you want your butt to be more toned, the Warrior III (Virabhadrasana C) pose is the way to go. Other than toning your behind region, this pose is also an excellent way to strengthen the arms, legs and back. To get the most out of the Warrior III, try to contract your abs while holding the position. Doing so will help you to balance and also flatten your tummy as well. The longer you hold the pose, the more your back end will benefit.

7. Shoulder Stand
The shoulder stand (Sarvangasana) helps to improve digestion, balance thyroid levels and increase strength. Additionally it works to improve the breathing system and help you sleep better. Incorporate this practice to your daily routine and you’ll most likely feel complete and re-energized.

8. Triangle
Although the triangle pose might not make your muscles move like some other poses, it helps with the abs. In general, the twisting movement of this pose helps to enhance digestion and decrease fat deposits in the tummy. Moreover, by engaging the arm and leg muscles, you can develop more muscle and drop more fat.

Of course, these 8 poses aren’t the only poses for weight loss. See the picture we have shared for other poses to help you on your journey to a new self.

Conclusion
Have you ever thought of yoga as a way to lose weight? Yoga isn’t a religion, but rather a lifestyle that you can adopt. The practice helps to improve mental and physical health, remarkably enhancing the way you live your life. Therefore, all the best as you start your yoga journey.

About the Author:
Elise Morgan is a freelance writer located in North Carolina who has recently found her passion writing about all thing’s health and wellness. This came about as she studied exercise science in school and hasn’t been able to let it go since!