On this day seven years ago, the United Nations on 11th December 2014 announced 21st June as the international yoga day. The aim behind it was to “globally raise awareness regarding the benefits of practicing yoga”.

Yoga, in the words of late practitioner B.K.S Iyengar is a way of maintaining a balanced attitude in day-to-day life and endows skill in the performance of one’s actions.

Since the onset of the pandemic followed by a nationwide lockdown, the amount of physical activity performed by an individual has declined at an alarming rate. The gyms shut down while the permission to leave the house only for essentials has made the human body quite lethargic and stiff. But yoga is one of the few ways where an individual can maintain their physical and mental health without the need of stepping out of the house.

So, on this yoga day, let’s talk about a couple of asanas that help one with weight loss.

Using yoga for weight loss is a pretty debatable topic. Many believe it alone can’t promote weight loss unless it’s combined with a healthy diet. By combining yoga with a healthy diet not only does it helps in losing weight but also keeps the mind and the body healthy. 

One of the reasons for weight gain is neither binge eating nor lack of physical activities but stress. Stress can have a disastrous effect on one’s mind and body. It often reveals itself in the form of insomnia, anxiety, lack of concentration and pain. Combining yoga with stress management techniques; not only helps in weight loss but also helps in maintaining good physical and mental health.

Talking about the asanas, they don’t immediately produce a result as the poses are simple but, they focus more on increasing body flexibility, improving concentration, and building one’s muscle tone. Once the body gets used to it, only then it starts to show the results. The asanas used for weight loss are as follows.

1. Chaturangadandasana (the plank pose)

Chaturangadandasana or the plank pose mainly to strengthens the core muscles. The benefits of this asana are contradictory to the way it’s performed. To perform this, you have to hug your elbows to your side while making sure your upper arms are parallel to the floor. 

2. Virabhadrasana (the warrior pose)

Virabhadrasana or the warrior pose helps in toning the thighs and shoulders while increasing one’s concentration. It also improves the balance of the body and tones the back end, arms and legs. While contracting abdominal muscles while holding the pose helps in attaining a flat belly. It works more effectively the longer one can hold this pose. 

3. Trikonasana (the triangle pose)

Trikonasana or the triangle pose helps in improving digestion and reducing fat accumulation in the belly and waist. This pose improves the blood circulation in the entire body and, its unique lateral motion helps to burn belly and waist fat while strengthening the thigh muscles and the hamstrings. 

4. Adho Mukha Svanasana (the downward dog pose)

Adho Mukha Svanasana or the downward dog pose benefits the body by toning it and strengthening the arms, thighs, back and hamstring. It also improves blood circulation, and the concentration when one holds the pose concentrates solely on breathing.

5. Sarvangasana (the shoulder stand)

Sarvangasana or the shoulder stand pose has multiple benefits. It increases strength, and improves digestion of the body and is also known for boosting the metabolism and balancing the thyroid levels. It also strengthens the upper body, legs and abdominal muscles while improving one’s sleeping pattern and respiratory system.

6. Sethu Bandha Sarvangasana (the bridge pose)

Sethu Bandha Sarvangasana or the bridge pose is excellent for weight loss, glutes and maintaining thyroid levels. This pose helps in toning and strengthen the back muscles, improve digestion and thyroid levels while regulating the hormones and reducing back pain.

7. Dhanurasana (the bow pose)

Dhanurasana or the bow pose massages the abdominal muscles while strengthening the thighs, chest, and back muscles. This pose stretches the entire body while improving blood circulation.

Yoga, which originated in India, is a revival method for body and mind. It is a traditional form used by people of all age groups who yearn for a healthy body and mind. It benefits every single part of the body and also helps in relaxing the mind. This age-old tradition has been accepted and praised worldwide for its effectiveness and has helped maintain a healthy body and a relaxed mind.