Yoga postures for slimming and combating cellulite
Is it possible to practise yoga to lose weight?
In addition to all the benefits recognized by science [1], many researchers are now trying to determine the effect of yoga on other health complications such as obesity, eating disorders or irritable bowel syndrome.
In other words, they’re trying to determine whether yoga can be used to lose weight.
The benefits
Yoga is an age-old practice that is highly beneficial to our health.
But it takes a great deal of patience, motivation and determination to get the most out of its many physical, mental and spiritual benefits.
You can use yoga to lose weight indirectly, by acting on the factors that lead to weight gain.
You can also use it directly to firm up your figure.
– Boosting morale
Yoga is a spiritual exercise that serves to discipline and calm the mind.
It is also effective in managing stress and improving general health. [2]
As you probably know, stress is a major factor in weight gain.
By limiting the impact of stress on our health, this relaxing practice promotes weight loss and maintenance.
– Positive action on behaviour
Yoga helps to develop many behavioral qualities, such as self-confidence and self-assurance.
Practising this discipline enables you to achieve serenity and full control over your emotions and gestures during exercise. It also enables us to regain self-confidence after the exercise.
It also keeps us motivated.
All dieters are well aware of the importance of psychic support and the vital role of motivation in any weight-loss programme.
So that’s the second aspect of how yoga can help you lose weight.
– Beauty boost
Regular yoga practice makes you more beautiful.
In fact, the efforts made during a session will give you clear skin and a radiant complexion.
The repeated stretching and relaxation of the postures helps to maintain the skin’s elasticity, slowing the appearance of wrinkles. A true natural anti-aging treatment!
These postures also improve blood circulation, digestion and waste elimination. It’s also an effective natural remedy for acne.
– Get perfect abs and a flat stomach
It’s possible to firm up your tummy and strengthen your abs with yoga postures!
There are a number of different postures for working and sheathing the main muscles of the abdominal girdle. Some of these postures contract the muscles, while others stretch and tone them.
Some postures are perfect yoga exercises for slimming and strengthening the abdominal and gluteal muscles, while strengthening the back and lumbar region.
– Yoga for slimming and combating cellulite
A yoga posture can easily replace your anti-cellulite cream. It’s free, there’s no risk of allergic reaction and, best of all, it’s 100% natural!
It’s now possible to gently and, above all, deeply tone and strengthen your thighs thanks to certain postures.
The “Eagle” posture is renowned as one of the best poses for combating cellulite. In a way, it’s yogis’ favorite anti-cellulite cream.
We suggest you watch this video, which details the steps involved in this posture.
If your aim is to minimize the appearance of cellulite, there are other postures you can practice, such as Bikram, Crescent Moon, Ashtanga or Agnistambhasana.
The 3 yoga positions for weight loss and fat burning
If your main goal is weight loss, yoga for slimming is a very good choice. But in this case, you should choose more dynamic, toned and powerful types.
Opt for types such as the cobra posture, the boat posture or the ado mukha svanasana.
These are perfect exercises that will greatly contribute to healthy, risk-free weight loss.
1. Cobra pose (Bhujang asana)
Here’s how to practice this yoga posture for weight loss.
Start by lying on your stomach with your legs straight and the knobs of your hands below your shoulders.
Then gradually straighten your arms to lift your chest as you lean back.
Stop when you feel your pubic bone detached from your legs.
Try to tighten your legs without hardening your glutes. You should look like a cobra ready to attack with your head raised.
Hold for 15-30 seconds.
Repeat at least 5 times, pausing for 15 seconds after each repetition.
2. Boat pose
Lie on your back with legs straight and arms at your sides.
Gently lift your legs off the floor without bending your knees (feet and toes stretched outwards).
Then raise your arms straight up, trying to touch your toes.
Try to form a 45° angle with your body.
Hold this position for about 15 seconds, breathing normally.
Exhale slowly as you relax.
Brand for 15 seconds and repeat 5 times.
3. Ado Mukha Svanasana (upside-down dog pose)
Get down on all fours, feet hip-width apart.
Inhale and exhale slowly, gently stretching your arms forward and your buttocks back (towards your heels).
Try to stretch your body in opposite directions, to achieve the ideal distance between hands and feet, and move into the head-down dog position.
Gently raise your legs without stretching them (toes bent) and leave your hands on the floor in front of you.
Tilt your torso forward and raise your buttocks as high as possible.
Now let the apples of your hands slide across the mat, keeping your fingers wide apart and pressing hard on your heels as they begin to touch the floor.
Take deep abdominal breaths, relax and hold the posture for 1-3 minutes or longer, if your physical fitness allows.
The 3 yoga positions for slimming and detoxifying the body
As you can see, all yoga postures have beneficial effects on the body. What’s more, some of them have the particularity of cleansing our digestive system and purifying our body in depth.
If you start practicing the postures regularly, you’ll awaken the main systems responsible for evacuating toxins from your body, namely the liver, kidneys, intestines, lungs and, of course, the skin.
The best postures to choose, then, are those that will stimulate these five vital systems of our body, also known as the “detox organs”, to enable a deep massage of the digestive system and boost your body’s purification.
1. Pavanamukthasana
Lie with your back to the floor, heels together.
Gently bend your knees and gradually bring them towards your torso, applying pressure to your belly.
Clasp your hands under your thighs and raise your head so that it touches your knees.
Breathe in deeply and hold for 60-90 seconds.
Exhale, relax your knees and repeat the posture 5 times or more, preferably in the morning.
Remember to pause for 15 seconds between each repetition.
2. Bow pose (Dhanurasana)
Lie flat on your stomach, knees bent and apart.
Keep your legs glued to the floor.
Try to grab your ankles with your hands. Lift your head and legs as high as you can.
Breathe slowly and hold for 15-30 seconds.
Repeat 5 times, relaxing for 15 seconds after each repetition.
3. Seated twist
Sit on the floor with your back straight and legs extended.
Place your right hand behind you while bending your right knee.
Try to raise your left arm towards your chest to help you stand correctly.
Place your left elbow outside your bent right knee.
Try to look towards the right hand behind you to keep your back straight.
Hold for 5 deep breaths, then reverse the movement to the left.
Yoga for slimming at home
Better than a thousand words, here’s a selection of videos to practice at home. The videos are in English, but you can use the gear at the bottom of each video to activate the French subtitles.
To get you started, here’s an example of a beginner’s session that you can easily perform by following the videos.
