Many people see yoga as a way for hippies to become one with the Earth. While I’m certainly not arguing that case there is so much more to yoga. Not many people associate yoga with weight loss because on the surface it appears you are just standing still in a lot of different poses. The thing about standing still in certain poses is that it puts a strain on muscles. This causes muscles to start to rip, in a good way. When the muscles rip they need to rebuild and that requires energy. Some of this energy is taken from the fat your body has stored. This is why some people believe that fat turns into muscle and vice versa. The first time people do yoga they assume it would be a breeze. Turns out some almost pass out in the first 10 minutes. This article includes a compilation of the 21 best yoga asanas (poses) for losing weight quickly and easily. A word of warning, some of these are difficult to do so don’t strain yourself the first time around. Yoga is something that needs to be practiced for many years before it can be mastered. You’ll find yourself feeling muscles that you didn’t even know existed because yoga provides you with a full body workout. Before you attempt these poses watch the videos for each. Some are meant for everyone and others are meant only for advanced yoga practitioners. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t other yoga asanas that you can perform that will help. There are hundreds of yoga asanas to perform that will benefit you. We just like the ones below because they can help push you to the limit and back again.

PASCHIMOTTANASANA (SEATED FORWARD BEND)

Benefits:

• Improves digestion
• Soothes anxiety and reduces fatigue
• Relieves stress
• According to traditional texts, this pose can increase appetite and reduce obesity

SARVANGASANA (SHOULDER STAND)

Benefits:

• Stimulates the thyroid glands and abdominal organs
• Improves digestion
• Reduces fatigue
• Tones the legs and butt

VIRABHADRASANA I (WARRIOR POSE)

Benefits:

• Stretches your belly, lungs, and chest
• Strengthens the muscles at the back
• Strengthens the thighs, calves, and ankels

GARUDASANA

Benefits:

• Improves concentration and sense of balance
• Strengthens the ankles and calves
• Stretches the thighs, shoulders, and upper back

ARDHA CHANDRASANA (HALF MOON POSE)

Benefits:

• Strengthens the abdomen, thigh, buttocks, and spine
• Improves digestion and balance
• Relives stress

BHEKASANA (FROG POSE)

Benefits:

• Stretches the abdomen and the chest
• Improves posture
• Stimulates the abdominal organs

SHALABHASANA (LOCUST POSE)

Benefits:

• Stretches and strengthens the shoulders, chest, and belly
• Stimulates the abdominal organs
• Relieves stress and improves posture

NAUKA CHALAN (BOAT POSE)

Benefits:

• Strengthens the abdomen and hip flexors
• Stimulates the kidneys and intestines
• Relives stress and improves digestion

PAVANMUKTASANA (WIND-RELEASING POSE)

Benefits:

• Stimulates the abdominal organs, thereby increasing their efficiency and improving digestion
• Relieves constipation
• Helps reduce fat in the abdominal area

VAKRASANA (HALF SPINAL TWIST POSE)

Benefits:

• Helps reduce fat in the abdominal region
• Strengthens the spine

PADAHASTASANA

Benefits:

• The abdominal organs are stimulated, thereby improving the digestive health of your body
• Lowers heart beat rate and relieves physical and mental exhaustion

SHIRSHASANA (HEADSTAND)

Benefits:

• Tones the abdominal organs and improves digestion
• Strengthens the arms, legs and spine
• Calms the brain and relieves stress

HALASANA (PLOW POSE)

Benefits:

• Reduces stress and fatigue
• Stimulates abdominal organs
• Calms the brain

UTTHITA HASTA PADANGUSTASANA (EXTENDED HAND-TO-BIG-TOE POSE)

Benefits:

• Improves balance
• Strengthens legs, ankles, and the backs of the legs

VASISTHASANA (SIDE PLANK POSE)

Benefits:

• Stretches the belly, arms, and legs
• Improves your balance