Yoga for Weight Loss: Arm Balancing Postures

By Shahid Mishra

Is Yoga for weight loss possible? Practicing Yoga postures on a regular basis will help you to strengthen and tone your entire body. A regular Yoga practice will also increase muscle mass, which will in turn increase your metabolism. Engaging in a Yoga practice that flows from one pose to the next through a series of postures based on the Sun Salutation will really get your blood pumping and leave you feeling exhilarated, strong and light as a feather. In the West, this type of Yoga practice is known as Power Yoga. Incorporating arm balancing postures into your Yoga practice will further tone your arms, back and torso. Challenging arm balancing postures will also increase your heart rate and metabolism further supporting your weight loss efforts.

How is Yoga for Weight Loss Possible?

The Sun Salutation itself integrates several Yoga poses that increase arm strength and balance. Downward Facing Dog is one of the core postures of the Sun Salutation. It is a half-inversion where your body makes an inverted triangular shape. As you hold your body weight up with your arms, you are increasing your upper body strength in preparation for more challenging arm balancing asanas. Chaturanga Dandasana or Upward Facing Dog and Plank Pose are also very effective Yoga postures for increasing your heart rate, metabolism and upper body strength. Both of these postures are core Yoga poses practiced in the Sun Salutation vinyasa sequence.

Pincha Mayurasana or Feathered Peacock Pose

This arm balancing Yoga asana helps to tone and strengthen the entire upper body. Feathered Peacock Pose is also an inversion, so it will circulate fresh blood and oxygen throughout your entire body. To practice Pincha Mayurasana, begin by coming into a modified Downward Facing Dog pose at the wall. This form of Downward Facing Dog is practiced by placing the weight of your body on your forearms instead of your hands. Place your hands shoulder width apart on your Yoga mat and perpendicular to the sides of your mat. Keep your forearms parallel to each other. To be more enlightened about Yoga for Weight Loss: Arm Balancing Postures visit www.yoga-teacher-training.org.