You may not realise it too early, but obesity has several negative repercussions for your body. It can hamper your sleep cycle, make you feel more tired and raise your chance of developing a number of illnesses including heart disease, diabetes, kidney stones, and infertility. According to experts, eating well and exercising frequently are the best ways to lose belly fat. Therefore, if you’re dreaming of having a flat belly at some point, you’ve got to eat right, but also get up and engage in the right physical activity. You must also try the best yoga poses to reduce belly fat to help you tone your entire core.

Yoga poses to reduce belly fat

Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar, Founder, Akshar Yoga Research and Development Centre, spoke to HealthShots about the best yoga poses to get rid of belly fat.

Akshar says, “Abdominal obesity is dangerous and it can also put your health in jeopardy. You are more likely to develop diseases including diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and obesity if you have a large belly. However, yoga asanas can help you lose weight and tone your stomach in a safe and effective manner.”

Here are 5 yoga asanas to get rid of belly fat!

1. Halasana (Plough pose)

• Your palms should be on the floor next to you while you lay on your back.
• Using your abdominal muscles, raise your legs 90 degrees.
• Firmly plant your palms on the ground.
• Legs should be tucked under your head.
• If necessary, support your lower back with your palms.
• For a few breaths, maintain the position.
  Maintain the position for 15 to 20 seconds.

2. Chakrasana (Wheel pose)

• Sit back. Turn your arms at the shoulders while placing your hands on the ground on each side of your head.
• Inhale deeply, then raise your body in an arch.
• The weight of your body should be distributed evenly among your four limbs.
• For a period of 15 to 20 seconds, hold the position.

3. Dhanurasana (Bow pose)

• Take a deep breath and raise your arms and legs while lying on your stomach.
• Look up and try to lift your arms and legs as high as you can.
• For a period of 15 to 20 seconds, hold the position.

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4. Santolanasana (Plank pose)

• Lie down on your stomach, put your hands under your shoulders, lift your pelvis, knees, and upper torso up, and grab the floor with your toes.
• Verify the alignment of your spine, pelvis, and knees, putting your wrists exactly below your shoulders with your arms straight; and hold the final position for a while.

5. Vasisthasana (Side plank pose)

• Begin in Santholanasan (Plank).
• Turn to the right side, and lift the left palm off.
• Align your feet.
• Repeat on the other side.

6. Ustrasana (Camel pose)

• Kneel on the yoga mat and stretch your arms up.
• Arch your back and place your palms on your feet.
• Inhale and bend back.

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7. Eka padasana (One foot pose)

• Begin in Samastithi, as you extend your arms and join your palms in the Pranam salutation, keep your back straight.
• Slant your upper body forward until it is parallel to the ground as you exhale.
• Maintain your arms close to your ears.
• Slowly raise your right leg up behind you while maintaining its straightness.
• Your arms, upper body, right leg, and pelvis should all be in a straight line.

8. Chaturanga dandasana (Low plank)

• Starting in a plank position, lower yourself into a half-push-up so that your upper arms are parallel to the ground.
• As you lower yourself, your elbows must touch the sides of your ribs in order to maintain a 90-degree angle in the crook of your elbows.
• Your wrists and elbows should be parallel to the floor, your shoulders should be brought in, and your body should be lined up.
• Hold the pose for ten to fifteen seconds.

9. Padahastasana (Standing forward bend pose)

• From a standing position, bend forward.
• Try to place your palms down.
• You can bend your knees to make this easier.

10. Hastha uttanasana (Raised-arms pose)

• Lift your hands and stretch upward.
• Slightly tilt your head, neck, and upper back to create an arch.
• Keep your arms next to your ears as you tilt your upper body back.
• Focus your gaze up.

The challenging part of the body to lose weight from is the stomach. However, the aforementioned yoga poses can help you in reducing belly fat since they increase your heart rate similarly to aerobic exercise, which aids in calorie burning and speeds up metabolism.