Yoga and Weight Loss Complement Each Other

Millions of people are on the lookout for countering the phenomenon of the modern ages; excess weight gain and obesity. Numerous proponents are coming forward catering to their requirements with divergent methods. Some suggest weight training and strength exercises, others recommend diets and yet others propose medications for the purpose. However, of late, most experts are coming to the conclusion that use of yoga has far reaching consequences in weight loss endeavors. In fact it has now become common belief that yoga and weight loss complement each other better than most other weight loss and fat burning methods.

Lack of Time Today

Modern age is signified by lack of time for parents and children alike. While parents may be busy in their works and livelihood, children are finding more and more time to devote to their favorite TV shows, video games, IPods, iPhone or laptops. Even adults are gradually getting addicted to these electronic devices that offer huge scope for entertainment sitting at home though they may not be the healthiest entertainments after all. In addition; there is the cell phone, a blessing as well as a curse of the modern science as it takes lion’s share of most people’s daily lives and teenagers are particularly fond of it especially after all those 3G services becoming available and mobile net entering in a big way in human life. With all these; who finds the time for workout? Yoga for weight loss could again be the solution for these people.

Why People Gain Weight

However, electronic gadgets are only one of several reasons that lead to overweight, obesity, and fat accumulation. Some of the potent reasons are –

  • Stressful life in the modern era;
  • Wrong food habits including irregular timing, unhealthy and junk foods, and excess quantity of food;
  • Lack of exercise or other fat burning activities; and
  • Thyroid problems.

Lose Weight Naturally

Some other problems associated with weight loss are –

  • Weight loss should be natural else it could bring up severe health complexities;
  • Simple diets cannot result in weight loss;
  • Exercises that are too tedious may result in some weight loss but the side effects would be bad for health;
  • Such steps do not yield long term results; and
  • Best way is losing weight gradually, permanently and in a natural manner.
    Once again Yoga for weight loss is a natural solution for all these problems.

Advantages of Yoga

Some of the major advantages of Yoga for weight loss are –

  • It is unlike most weight loss programs without side effects;
  • It can be practiced at any age irrespective of gender; and
  • They always give long term results.

Yoga For Weight Loss Components

Multiple components of Yoga for weight loss are there.

  • Contrary to popular belief Yoga is not confined to postures alone;
  • Several cleansing techniques are used in Yoga that include the followings-
     
    • Kunjal Kriya or stomach washing and lung cleansing;
    • Basti or colon cleansing;
    • Enemas that is not only very effective for weight loss but can also prevent cancer; and
    • Laghu Shanka Prakshalan that are digestive system cleansing techniques.
  • Tiger exercise or Baghi; and
  • Yoga Asans or postures.

Types of Yoga Asans or Postures

Major Yogasanas or postures include –

  • Sun salute or Surya Pranama that is an exercise of the entire body. It should be practiced twice a day holding each pose for three breaths;
  • Tree, angle, and triangle poses;
  • Hero poses 1 and 2;
  • Locust, Cobra, Camel poses;
  • Aeroplane poses;
  • Wind releasing poses;
  • Child pose, cat pose; and
  • Spinal twist either static in sitting position or dynamic.

Pranayam

Another very important part of Yoga for weight loss is the Pranayama or breathing exercises. It is simply breathing and controlling the intake and exit of breathing process in sitting posture. But it can also be performed in standing posture or even while walking. Some of the exercises are releasing the deep breathe, intaking deep breathe, and taking air through one nostril while releasing it through the other. Breathing exercises have major impact on health and well being of the person concerned.

Other Parts of Yoga

Some other parts of Yoga for weight loss are as follows.

  • Yogic posture for abdomen that includes seal pose, spinal twist, lying on the back, baat, and naval moves;
  • Yogic posture for arms and legs that include hero, dog, swinging lotus, bridge, celibacy, squat and rise poses;
  • Yogic posture to tighten the chest are triangle, hero, baat, cobra, wind releasing, dog, lumbar wheel, and spinal twist poses; and
  • Yogic posture for thighs and hips are hero pose I and II, triangle, angle, dog, celibacy, advanced wind releasing, and butterfly.

Last but not the least; yoga for weight loss includes breathing exercises, meditation, and relaxation as part of the routine.