Yoga has, since time immemorial, been known for its calming effects and helping to improve the body’s strength and flexibility. It is one of the most effective weight loss and toning strategies if done correctly and with the correct form and posture. Here are some popular yoga poses that one should practise to stay fit.
Different Kinds Of Yoga Poses
Tadasana Or The Mountain Pose
This is the very basic standing pose, which helps you to learn the art of standing correctly with the correct posture. Coupled with breathing, it also helps you to become more aware of your body.
It also helps to improve the body alignment. Stand with your knees pressed in together, head steady and spine drawn in. The pelvis should be neutral. The chest should be out and the shoulders should be pressed down away from the ears.
Uttanasana Or Forward Stretch
Start from the Tadasan posture, inhale and take your arms up. Now move your hands down towards your toes and exhale deeply. Try to press the palms onto the floor.
The posture helps to improve the functioning of the liver, spleen and the kidney. It also tones and stretches the abdominal muscles and the hamstrings.
Urdhvamukha Svanasana
Lie on the floor with the face facing downwards. Make sure your toes are pointed. Your palms should be spread right next to your chest. Inhale and raise the trunk and stretch the arms completely.
Push the head and trunk as far as possible without resting the knees on the floor. This helps to remove stiffness from the neck and increases a person’s stamina.
Utthita Trikonasana Or Triangular Pose
Stand in the tadasana pose. Keep your feet around three feet apart and turning the right foot to 90 degrees; turn the left foot slightly to the right raising the arms sideways.
Bend to your right bringing the right palm towards the right ankle keeping both legs straight. Repeat on the other leg. This helps to improve flexibility of the spine and helps to relieve backache. It also helps to reduce acidity and gastric upsets.
Utthita Parsavokanasana
In this, you need to first stand in the tadasana pose. Place your feet apart by around four feet. Stretch the hands sideways, bend the right knee at a 90-degree angle, not pushing the knee beyond the ankle.
While exhaling, place the right palm on the ground outside the right foot and stretch the left arm in a diagonal line over the left ear. Repeat on the other side. This helps to tone and strengthen the leg, helps cure arthritis and strengthens the lungs.
Utkatasana Or Fierce Pose
Stand in the tadasana pose; stretch the palms straight over the head. Join the palms, exhale and bend the knees and lower the trunk until the thighs are parallel to the floor. This helps to tone the legs, abdominal organs and the back.
Savasana Or Corpse Pose
Lie down straight on your back with your hands by your side. Relax all the muscles in your body.
Close your eyes and slowly breathe in and out. This helps to reduce stress and soothes the nervous system. It is normally done as the last yogic pose.