Although a gentle yoga session is not a quick fix for reducing abdominal fat, taking part in regular sessions can definitely help you to slim down and tone the body – including the abdominal area. Finding a class that incorporates cardio into the work out can enhance weightless even further, as well as helping to cleanse the body of toxins to make you feel happier and healthier. Traditionally, the practice of yoga is about much more than just the static postures. Encouraging you to live a healthier lifestyle, yoga can help to boost weightless in a holistic way, too.
In this article, we explore a couple of simple postures that work best for reducing stomach fat. To help get you started we have included a selection of top tips on reducing abdominal fat with yoga.
Top Tips
Live a Healthier Lifestyle
The traditional practice of yoga includes more than just the poses. It encourages individuals to live a healthier lifestyle, focussing on being the best version of yourself. This is especially important if you are hoping to reduce abdominal fat. Eating a balanced diet and drinking enough water, in addition to practising a series of fat-blasting asanas, can work wonders.
Find a Suitable Class
For those looking to lose weight, finding the right class is important. First of all, consider the type of yoga that the class teaches; often a session of Power Yoga or Intense Flow is great. Attending a weekly class that incorporates cardio into their work out will not only help you to burn those calories but will also help to cleanse the body by sweating out toxins. Another important aspect of finding the right class is finding the right teacher. Taking the time to find an instructor that you connect with can be worthwhile, giving you peace of mind that they will help you to achieve your goals.
Engage Your Core
The best way to burn abdominal fat is to engage your core. Although this may sound difficult, it’s actually rather simple. During every session, make the conscious effort to draw your stomach in and bring it back toward your spine. Practicing this easy step during each asana will help to strengthen the abdominal mus-cles, as well as reducing fat around your stomach. A good instructor will remind you of this technique throughout the class, so don’t worry about forgetting it!
Simple Poses
Downward Facing Dog
Downward Facing Dog is one of the most successful postures to reduce abdominal fat. To begin, lie on your front with your stomach touching your yoga mat. Next, gently manoeuvre onto all fours; using straight arms, press your hips up and back bringing your chest towards your thighs. Keeping your core engaged, lift your tailbone upwards to keep your spine straight and elongated. You are in Downward Facing Dog. Hold the pose for a couple of breaths, letting your abdominal area compress to accelerate weight loss.
Not only does this posture help to blast abdominal fat, it also helps to increase bone density and relieve tiredness.
Hand Under Foot Pose
Although the Hand Under Foot Pose isn’t as well-known as Downward Facing Dog, it’s another great one for getting rid of belly fat. To begin, stand tall and slowly take a deep breath in. Gently bend your body forward, placing your hands underneath your feet. If you cannot reach that far to begin with – don’t worry! The more you practice the asana, the more flexible you will become. Reaching down as far as you can will still benefit the body by putting pressure on your abdominal fat. Once your hands are under your feet (or as close as possible!), hold the position. You are in Hand Under Foot Pose. Take a few minutes to practice deep breathing, before slowly standing up straight again.
As well as helping to reduce abdominal fat, this pose can improve digestion, hair growth, and relieve stress.
Bow Pose
Working to strengthen the core and tighten your abdominal muscles, Bow Pose will help to reduce belly fat. To start, lie on your stomach. Keep your legs stretched out and each arm by the side of your body. Next, slowly bend your knees and reach your arms back to hold your feet or ankles. Take a deep breath in and lift your head, bending it backward as you lift your legs as high as you can. You are now in Bow Pose. Hold the position for 20 seconds while practising deep breathing.
To further enhance the benefits of this pose, try rocking back and forth once you’re in the final position. Doing so will stimulate the digestive system and help to relieve constipation, as well as stretching the body to reduce abdominal fat.
Board Pose
Board Pose is another simple, fat-blasting pose for beginners. To begin, kneel on the floor with your hands and knees directly underneath your arms and shoulders. Next, tuck your toes under and walk your feet back to straighten your legs behind your body. Ensure your hands are flat on the floor with your fingers spread apart to aid balance. When in the correct position, your body should form a straight line. You are now in Board Pose. Engage the core by tightening your abdominal muscles, remember to keep your neck and spine in a straight line to avoid injury. Hold the posture for 20 seconds while practising deep breathing.
This easy pose helps to burn abdominal fat whilst also strengthening the arms, back, legs and bottom.
In Summary
Whether you’re on a mission to slim down for a special occasion, or you’d just love to fit into your favourite jeans again, partaking in regular yoga sessions can work wonders for getting rid of that pesky abdominal fat. Before attending a local class, it is important to ensure you have the right yoga gear. Having a good quality pair of breathable yoga pants will allow the body to stretch sufficiently, as well as encouraging proper oxygenation. For a lightweight option, we recommend the Ana Heart Kravitz Mesh Leggings.