You would probably be surprised to learn, then, that football training now includes many Yoga positions and poses, because they tone muscles and increase flexibility, reducing the risk of serious injuries. But you don’t want to play football – you want to get rid of that belly fat. So – here are 6 Yoga poses that will do just that.
1. Mill Churning Pose
This pose actually imitates a churning work activity in India, and the motion you will be performing will look a bit like you are churning, except that you are seated on your mat and only your upper body will be moving. Explanation of Steps:
2. Bow Pose (aka Rocking Bow Pose)
This pose may take a bit of practice if you have not developed good flexibility, so work first on just getting the pose, then work on holding it for longer and longer durations and, finally rocking with it. As you can see, this pose is achieved as follows: Other Benefits
This pose strengthens and tones our thighs, groin, back and chest muscles It works to improve intestinal problems and liver function After your 8-10 bow poses, you will be amazed at how the stress has just disappeared.
3. Boat Pose
This is one of the very best poses for winning the belly fat battle! This gif above shows the boat pose that will be held once you get there. Here is how you get there: Benefits
This pose improves the function of several organs – thyroid, lungs, liver, pancreas It also improves circulation and helps to lover blood sugar levels
4. Cobra Pose
The Cobra pose is a part of a sequence of poses, known as the sun salutations. This series is usually begun at the beginning of a Yoga session, to open up the body. The Cobra position is that part of the sequence which works specifically on the abdomen and spine, as you can see from the position. During this pose you will really feel your stomach being stretched. Explanation of Steps Benefits
In addition to working to reduce belly fat, this pose is great for the following: It strengthens you back muscles and increases flexibility in your spine It improves blood circulation, relieving fatigue and stress It helps to improve breathing and digestion
5. Wind Relieving Pose
As the name suggests, this pose has as one of it purposes, the reliving of gas that may be trapped in your intestine. However, because of the movements involved in this pose, it is also recognized as a great method of working those stomach muscles and breaking up and reducing that fat. Explanation of Steps Benefits In addition to strengthening and toning those stomach muscles and helping to relieve trapped gas, there are a few other things this pose does:
It helps to strengthen your hips and thighs It reduces levels of acid in the stomach and provides relief for constipation It can help relieve loser back pain.
6. Standing Forward Bend
You are probably thinking that this looks like it would really hurt. Actually, once you have achieved some flexibility, it a relatively easy pose. The other key to achieving this pose is to really relax as you are bending down and go slowly. You will be surprised how much more you can stretch when you do this. Explanation of Steps Benefits This pose benefits that protruding belly in two ways. First, when you are in the full pose, your stomach is compressed, and that compression burns belly fat. As you come back up slowly, you are toning and pulling on those muscles. Here are the other good things that happen:
All of the muscles on the back of your body are stretched Obviously, you have increased the blood supply to your brain It really helps fatigue and insomnia
A Word of Caution
Do not engage in these poses if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, hip, back or joint pain, or if you have recently had abdominal, lung, brain or spine surgery. And many of them are not good for 2nd and 3rd trimester pregnancies. If you have any of these conditions, check with your doctor and show him/her the photos and videos in this post to see if you can safely adopt this program of exercise. Featured photo credit: raganmd via flickr.com
