Need to shed some pounds? Try this yoga sequence.
Burn more calories and lose weight with these yoga poses.
If you’re looking to lose a few pounds without having to run on a treadmill or spend hours in the gym, this one is for you. One of the many positive effects of practicing yoga is that it can help you burn off stubborn belly fat and get down to your ideal weight. Not only that, but yoga workouts can also increase your overall flexibility and energy levels, so your body and mind will feel as good as the skinnier you looks!
Complete the below yoga sequence once a day and you’ll be on your way to losing that extra weight for good.
Boat Pose
Slowly raise your legs up to a 45 degree angle using your arms to help you balance. Once you feel balanced and steady enough, slowly raise your arms to the outside of the knees. Hold for 30 seconds. Work towards holding this position for a full minute.
Plank Pose
Firmly grip the mat, round the shoulders and upper back, and keep your butt in line with the rest of your body. Don’t let your body sag at all. Stay firm and tight, and the abs will do all the work for you! Hold for 30 seconds. Work up to holding it for 2 minutes.
Bridge Variation
Begin by lying flat on the ground with your knees bent and heels touching your butt. Use your glutes and core to lift yourself up and balance on the feet and shoulders. Reach your arms underneath you and adjust the shoulders so that you can raise yourself higher. Slowly lift up your right leg and hold. Make sure your left knee is at a 90-degree angle. Hold for 30 seconds. Perform on both sides.
Side Plank Variation
Begin in side plank pose with your left hand on the mat directly beneath your left shoulder and your feet at an angle. Slowly reach your right leg up to your right arm. Grab your toes if you can while keeping the right leg straight. This requires a lot of flexibility in the legs. If you can’t straighten the leg, try bending your knee slightly. Hold for 30 seconds. Perform on both sides.
Superman Pose
Gently raise your head, chest, arms, and feet up at the same time. Your lower belly and hips should remain flat on the ground. Raise them up as high as you can and hold. Your gaze should be straight ahead of you. Hold for 30 seconds. Try to work up to holding it for up to 1 minute.
Upward Reverse Plank
Begin in the sitting position with your legs out in front of you and your hands placed directly underneath your shoulders. Using your core and your glutes, lift your body up until your pelvis is directly in a straight line with the rest of your body. Hold this position for 30 seconds.
Half Moon Pose
Try to stack the hips so that the body is open and pointing outwards, not down towards the mat. Point your right foot out to the side as well, not the floor. If you don’t have the flexibility to reach the floor while keeping your left leg straight, bend the left knee slightly to allow your hand to touch the floor (or use a yoga block). Other modifications include reaching your right arm towards the floor to help with balance or reaching your left arm to your knee instead of the floor. Hold for 30 seconds. Perform on both sides.
All images courtesy of Avocadu.com.
