Stomach fat is the most stubborn and can be targeted through specific asanas like Naukasana, Chaturanga, Brahmacharyaasana, etc.
Belly fat is not only bad for your health, but it can also be very dangerous and put your health at risk. Carrying around the extra weight of belly fat tends to make you feel sluggish and lethargic.
Belly fat also puts us at risk for diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and obesity.
Some of the reasons for abdominal fat can include genetics, specific diseases or even obesity, unhealthy eating habits, irregular sleeping patterns, lack of exercise, etc.
As an effective way to lose pounds, yoga gives us the equivalent of cardiovascular exercise to get our heart rate up and this helps burn those calories.
Yoga asanas to burn abdominal fat
Himalayan Siddha Grandmaster Akshar shares several yoga asanas to reduce abdominal fat.
1. Chaturanga Dandasana
How to do it:
- Start with plank pose.
- As you exhale, lower your body down into a half flexion, so that your upper arms are parallel to the floor.
- Your elbows should touch the sides of your ribs as you lower to maintain a 90-degree angle at the bend in your elbows.
- Your shoulders must be hunched
- Your wrists and elbows should be perpendicular to the floor and your shoulders should be in line with your body.
- Hold the asana for 10-15 seconds.
2. Naukasana
How it is performed:
- lie on your back
- Lift your upper and lower body to balance yourself.
- The toes should be in line with the eyes.
- Keep your knees and back straight.
- Keep your arms parallel to the ground and point forward.
- Tighten your abdominal muscles.
- Straighten your back.
- Inhale and exhale normally.
3. Santolanasana
How the pose is done:
- Lie face down
- Place your palms below your shoulders and lift your upper body, pelvis, and knees.
- Grab the ground with your toes
- Straighten your knees.
- Make sure your knees, pelvis, and spine are in alignment
- Your wrists should be exactly below your shoulders with your arms straight.
- Hold the final pose for several seconds, 10 to 15.
4. Chakrasana
How it is performed:
- Lie on your back.
- Bend your legs at the knees and make sure your feet are firmly on the ground.
- Bend your arms at the elbows. Rotate your arms at shoulder height and place your palms on the floor on either side, next to your head.
- Inhale, put pressure on your palms and legs, and lift your entire body to form an arch.
- Relax your neck and allow your head to gently fall back.
5. Dhanurasana
How it is performed:
- Start by lying on your stomach.
- Bend your knees and hold your ankles with your palms.
- Keep a strong grip.
- Raise your legs and arms as high as you can.
- Look up and hold the pose for a while.