Yoga can be put to good use for taking off excess pounds

through the power of creating a state of mental and physical

well being. The basic tenets of Yoga promotes a healthy

lifestyle and when combined with a calorie reduction can help

to speed up your weight loss. It will increase your metabolism

by increasing the caloric burning process. All weight loss is

based on using more calories than you take in. It will also

allow you to increase your ability to concentrate and focus.

Your thyroid regulates your metabolism and is responsible for

the chemical processes that transform food into energy. Yoga

uses a series of twisting poses that will help to stimulate the

work flow of the internal organs. This will cause your

metabolism to increase and burn more calories which will

eventually cause you to have a lower body weight. Another side

effect is that it will help to improve your circulation and

increase your energy level.

The various back bends combined with the forward bends will

help to stimulate the metabolism. The poses that affect the

neck region can be helpful in stimulating the thyroid if the

weight problem is caused by a hormonal imbalance. Poses that

will help the most for this include the camel, rabbit, plow,

bridge and head stand. Going quickly between the various poses

can help to accelerate the weght loss. Beware though that those

seriously overweight may find some of these poses extremely

difficult and should start slowly with the easier poses and add

others as they become more confident in the easier ones.

You can use standing poses to increase muscle strengthening

such as the warrior. These will help to create higher endurance

and increase your caloric usage.

Remember that a gradual approach is best with all Yoga

practices. The long term effects on your weight loss regime

will become evident and even more so the inner peace and

general well feeling that Yoga will promote within you.