Yoga supports physical, mental and spiritual development. It is said that if you want to have the best version of yourself practice yoga. It is also an effective tool to lose weight irrespective of its apparently non-aerobic nature. The awareness gained through a gentle, relaxing yoga practice helps to lose weight.
What does Ayurveda Say?
Ayurveda states that one of the main reasons of diseases is Pragya-Aparadh that translates to ‘mistake of the intellect’. It is like doing what is wrong despite knowing the consequences. In this modern era, we frequently do Pragya-Aparadh, for e.g. bad sleep patterns, excessive exposure to social media, over eating etc. Overlooking these factors results in weight gain and thus imbalance in the body. Yoga not only improves the flexibility of the body but also helps to get into right mental space to actually cut the weight.
It is a general perception that weight can only be reduced by doing cardial exercises. Yoga addresses weight loss issues through Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama and meditation. Let us know the relation between yoga and weight management.
1. Yoga and Mindful eating
When you practice yoga with the help of Asana, Pranayama and Meditation, mindfulness is developed, i.e., living in the present moment. This makes you more conscious while doing any action, say eating. You eventually start avoiding unhealthy food and may start consciously looking for fresh and unprocessed food.
Paying attention to what you are eating results into eating slowly, ultimately lessening the quantity of your food consumption. Thus, you start realizing the requirements of your body needless of consulting any dietician.
Your body tells you something, start listening to it. You can feel the capacity of your body and understand when it is asking you stop. This helps you to avoid over-eating
Unlike the short term diet plans, yoga is a lifelong habit with constructive effects!
2. Yoga and Sleep quality
Quality of your sleep is one of the major factors that affect your weight and its gain. If there is no proper sleep body craves for extra food which adds to weight.
Following practices will help you work for your sound sleep-
- Yoga postures like Balasana, Uttanasana, Supta baddha konasana and Shavasan improve sleep quality.
- Pranayama practices like Bhramari reduces stress which improves the sleep quality.
- Regular practice of Pranav Jap encourages weight loss and helps to maintain a healthy body.
- Guided Meditation and Yog Nidra may help to deepen the sleep.
- Chaturangadandasana,
- Virabhadrasana – Warrior pose,
- Trikonasana – Triangle pose,
- Adho Mukha Svanasana – Downward Dog pose,
- Sarvangasana – Shoulder stand,
- Sethu Bandha Sarvangasana – Bridge pose
- Dhanurasana – Bow pose
