Three Simple Yoga Moves For Weight Loss

A healthy body is built with a strong core, flexibility and determination. To begin living in a more healthy way, you need to commit to eating well and being physically active. If you're new to fitness, this is a great way to get introduced to the practice of yoga.

It's always a great idea to start every exercise with a little five-minute meditation to clear your mind. You don't have to sit on a cushion and chant at the sun, though. Just clearing all of your thoughts out of the way and setting an intention for the time spent working out is enough.

In the practice of yoga, clearing your mind will help you focus better on poses, and prepare you for maximum weight loss. Go into your weight loss with the same kind of focus on choosing healthy foods.

A Simple Stance to Start

Start with your feet hip width apart, standing tall. Step out into a lunge with your right foot. Sweep your hands up over your head and raise your fingertips toward the ceiling. Find a focal point above you and hang out here for 15 to 20 seconds. Bring your arms down to shoulder level, one extended in front of you and the other behind you like a warrior. Your arms should be parallel to the floor with the palms flat and facing down. Hold here for 30 seconds. Exhale and return your foot to starting position; repeat with left leg.

Tree Pose

Stand with your legs together, feet grounded to the floor. Put most of your weight on your left leg and raise your right leg turning your foot in towards the knee of your stationary leg. Put your heel on your inner thigh, as close to the pelvis as possible or place the sole of your foot on the inside of your calf. Never place your foot on your knee. Raise your hands above your head with fingers pointing towards the ceiling. Find a focal point on the wall to keep your balance. Hold for 15 seconds; repeat with the other foot.

The Bridge

Lie down on your mat, hands along your sides, palms flat on the floor. Bring your knees up and place your feet flat on the floor with your heels close to your buttocks. Contract your abdominal muscles, buttocks and thighs and form a bridge shape by raising your hips up off the floor so your waist is parallel to your knees. Your body should be a solid line from knees to head. Hold here for 15 seconds. Breathe deeply. Exhale and release back to the floor. Repeat two times.

These three simple exercises should take about ten minutes to complete. Focus on your breathing and try to match the length of your exhales to the length of your inhales.

Maigen Thomas is a certified Yoga Teacher and has been practicing since 2005. Her goal is to help everyone have a healthy, body and mind through the practice of yoga and healthy living.

Source

By Maigen Thomas