Yoga is popularly known to bring you peace, happiness, mindfulness and relaxation – a host of mental health benefits, but it can help you manage your weight and prevent obesity as well.
The Sun Salutation or Surya Namaskar is one of the most popular series amidst Yoga practitioners around the world. Practiced from 2 – 6 times, preferably in the mornings, facing the rising sun, you could also do it any time of the day if you are not a morning person. The Sun Salutation helps increase circulation, stretches the muscles and the body heats up, thus burning fat.
Follow the steps below and make it a habit.
1. Stand up tall with your feet parallel to each other, face forwards, palms pressed against each other in front of your chest, makes sure your shoulders are back and pulled down.
2. Next, inhale as you raise your hands above your head, keep them pressed and look up at them
3. Exhale and bend forwards, so that your palms can touch the floor in fron of you, you could bend your knees if necessary.
4. Inhale, and take your right foot to the back, make sure that your right leg is as straight as It can be, the left leg should be bent with the knee above the ankle. Hands should be resting on either side of your left foot and head facing up and looking forward.
5. Bright your left foot back so as to join it with the right foot. Then form a plank position so that your body is parallel to the ground, arms should be straight and palms flat on the ground, below your chest.
6. Now, exhale and lower your knees, child elbows and chest towards the floor, while arching your back and looking forward with your legs being stretched out behind you.
7. Inhale and then press down in the palms while keeping you arms straight, lift your hips and legs off the ground only slightly.
8. Then exhale and form the downward facing dog. Bottom and hips facing the sky, legs should be as straight as possible and your feet flat on the ground and your head hanging.
9. Inhale and then move your right foot to the front between your hands. Your left leg should be straight and drop hips closer to the ground and look forward.
10. Exhale and then bring your feet close together, bend forward, over your knees, while your head hangs and then aim to press palms against the ground.
11. Inhale, curl your body to achieve a standing position and bring in your arms over your head with your palms pressed close together and look upwards.
12. Exhale and get your palms together right in front of your chest, face forward with the shoulders back and down.
When you practice this daily, you will feel more toned, stronger and slowly but steadily, your body will adjust to the poses.
Speak with a Registered Holistic Nutritionist to learn how you can couple your yoga practice with natural food choices to stay healthy. Or get in touch with a Homeopath to achieve good health.
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