Hell yeah, it is!
Yoga has many benefits, including helping you lose weight!
1. Wide-Legged Forward Bend (Prasarita Padottanasana)
wide legged forward bend yoga poseTraditionally, your hands should be touching the floor in front of you in this pose, but we like the extra shoulder stretch!
Spread your feet 3-4 feet apart, and bend forward at the HIPS, not the waist. This means that your back should be as straight as possible when you bend, and you should not simply “hunch” forward.
If you’re bending properly, you will actually feel a strong stretch in the hamstrings. Practice in front of the mirror to try to get the correct form.
Hold for 5-6 breaths. If you feel comfortable enough, clasp the hands behind the back. Try to bring them up towards the ceiling to give the arms and shoulders an extra stretch.
2. Lunge (Anjaneyasana)
lunge asana for weight lossThis is one of the best poses for stretching the hips. Many people tend to have tight hips from sitting in front of a computer all day. It will also help increase your flexibility for the splits if that happens to be one of your goals.
Keep in mind that your hands can be wherever you want them to be in this asana, and their location often determines what muscles you are stretching.
If you raise the arms up and tilt them backward, you will bring this stretch into the back as well as the hips. You can also bring the arms down to your sides and behind you a bit to stretch the lower back. The third option is to rest them on the knee in front of you, although you won’t get as deep of a stretch in the hips.
Make sure your front knee is as close to 90 degrees as possible.
Hold for 30 seconds, and repeat on the other side.
3. Half Boat Pose (Ardha Navasana)
half boat asana to lose weightThis is a great yoga asana for weight loss because it directly works the tummy! You’ll feel your ab muscles working hard as you try to hold this pose.
Put your palms down on the ground for balance, and raise the legs first. When you feel stable enough, raise the arms so that they are parallel with the ground.
If you feel that this is too “easy,” try increasing the space between your knees and chest by leaning back a little and moving the knees a little farther away from you. You should feel your abs burning if you’re doing it right!
Hold for 30 seconds.
If you feel comfortable in this pose, try straightening the legs for an extra challenge. This is full boat pose, and it is much more difficult to balance in.
4. Side Plank (Vasisthasana)
side plank pose to lose weightIt’s no wonder that some form of the “plank” made this list of yoga asanas for weight loss. The plank and all of its variations are great for the abs!
Begin in regular plank position with your palms face down on the yoga mat, shoulder-width apart, and your toes together on the mat.
Tilt your feet to the left so that the outer right side of your right foot is touching the mat and the left foot is on top of the right (as pictured above).
Shift your weight onto your right hand as you remove your left hand from the ground. Slowly lift your left arm straight up ahead of you towards the ceiling.
Your hips and shoulders should be “stacked” in this pose, meaning that they should directly in line with each other and not leaning forward or backward.
Hold for 30 seconds, and repeat on the other side.
5. Tree Pose (Vriksasana)
tree asana for weight lossDon’t be fooled by tree pose. It’s harder to balance in this pose than it looks!
Bring your left foot in to rest on the inside of your left thigh. Keep your back straight. Your body may have a tendency to lean forward when trying to balance but bring your shoulders back up.
Keep your hands pressed together at your heart to help with balance, then try lifting them above your head with your hands pointed towards the ceiling.
Hold for 30 seconds, and repeat on the other side.
6. Revolved Lunge Pose (Parivrtta Anjaneyasana)
lunge variation poseIf you need to, keep the right hand on the floor next to the left foot for support while getting into this pose.
Try to keep your front knee bent at a 90-degree angle and your outstretched leg straight.
Bring your right elbow to rest on your left knee, and bring the hands together. Press the hands into each other to increase the stretch in the back and shoulders.
Tighten your core while in this pose for an extra workout in the abs!
Hold for 5-6 breaths or up to 30 seconds, and repeat on the other side.
