HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT IN YOUR STOMACH - STRENGTHEN STOMACH MUSCLES WITH YOGA

By Donovan Baldwin

If you are trying to tighten and strengthen your stomach muscles, you can do that fairly easily with some simple yoga poses.

There are a number of yoga positions (asanas) which concentrate on the stomach muscles. Keep in mind, however, that some of these positions and movements are more advanced than others, so you will have to take a close look at your own current skill and comfort level before trying certain asanas. If you are not sure you are able to do one of the asanas, start with a similar one that seems easier and then work your way up. Once you have built up some strength and flexibility at one level, you can move to the next level.

As with any other workout routine, be sure to consult your doctor before beginning and always warm up properly to avoid injury.

Pavan-Muktasan

To perform this simple stomach-exercising asana, first lie flat on your back. Use a yoga mat or a towel to cushion the spine. Bend both knees up to your chest so that your thigh touches the stomach. Hug your knees in place and lock your fingers to hold them. Now lift your head up so your nose meets your knees, or as close as you can get. Take a deep breath and hold it for thirty seconds before releasing and slowly lowering back to start. Some find it easier to do this movement one leg at a time. Yogis feel this asana removes gas from the abdomen and reduces abdominal fat. It is also use to increase the flexibility of the knees and hips.

The Cobra - Bhujangasana

The cobra is another movement which is good if you are seeking how to lose weight in your stomach.

For this stomach exercise, remain on the floor, but roll onto your stomach. Position your hand under your shoulders. Now, using your back muscles, raise your upper torso off the ground to that your head is upright. Be careful not to push with your hands. You want the muscles in your back to be doing the work. Hold this posture for thirty seconds, then lower yourself back to start. Even though you are using your back muscles to lift your upper body, performing the asana will assist in reducing belly fat and flattening your tummy. Also known as Cobra Pose

Dhanurasana - The Bow

This stomach exercise is somewhat similar to the cobra asana, but a bit more involved. It starts from the same position lying on your stomach, but in this exercise you curl your legs upward in addition to lifting your upper torso. Bend your knees so that the soles of your feet come up toward your head. Grab your ankles and pull with your hands and push with your legs until only your stomach is on the floor. Your body should feel sort of like it is making a circle. Your knees should remain together throughout the exercise. Hold this position for thirty seconds before releasing and returning to starting position.

Paad-Pashchimottanasan - The Forward Bend

As scary as the Sanskrit name may be, Paad-Pashchimottansan is far less complicated in practice than in pronunciation. It does, however, require a fair amount of flexibility, so you may want origainlly to ease into this one and build up your flexibility to where you can do the position properly. Let's go through it step-by-step:

Start by lying on your back with your legs straight and arms overhead. Your body should be straight from head to toe with all limbs extended. Point your palms up to the ceiling and put your hands together.

Contract your stomach muscles to sit up, keeping your back straight and hands overhead. You might not be able to perform this at first. You might want to look at some of the stomach exercises in other pages of this website for some stomach strengthening methods and work on those before you try this.

Bend forward and grab your toes with your hands, putting your head between your arms so it touches your knees. Hold the position for two minutes before releasing.

And that's how to lose weight in your stomach!

Find more exercises for strengthening the stomach muscles at How to Lose Stubborn Belly Fat.

About the Author:
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Donovan Baldwin is a freelance writer residing in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas area, and a University of West Florida alumnus. He is a past member of Mensa and is retired from the U. S. Army after 21 years of service. In his career, he has held many managerial and supervisory positions. However, his main pleasures have long been writing, nature, health, and fitness. In the last few years, he has been able to combine these pleasures by writing poetry and articles on subjects such as health, fitness, weight lifting, yoga, weight loss, the environment, happiness, self improvement, and life.
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