Yoga For Weight Loss: 9 Asanas To Help You Lose Weight
A five-thousand-year-old transcription by the Indus valley civilization on fragile palm leaves has paved the way to an innovative weight loss therapy. Yoga was mentioned in the Indian collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns, the Rigveda. Researchers have traced yoga to over a thousand years ago, and its rich history is divided into periods of innovation, practice, and development. Yoga was refined and developed by the Rishis and Brahmans who documented their training in the Upanishads. This practice was later developed over several years to what now is practiced as Yoga. The discipline has 5 basic principles:
- Exercise
Hatha Yoga For Beginners
If youre looking for a free hatha yoga app, then try Hatha yoga for beginners. The app offers asanas and poses for daily practice at home. You can follow the virtual personal trainer instructions. All the yoga poses have detailed audio, text descriptions, and instructions with video.
The app features three training programs, 80 free asanas, and more than 60 different lessons. Overall, the app has a lot to offer for anyone looking to do yoga from home for free!
Each daily workout has an increasing level of difficulty, so you can start with easier lessons, and then move on to more advanced ones.
Get the app here:
Best Yoga App For All
Let YouTube sensation Adriene Mishler help you find what feels good in the hundreds of videos available in her app. FWFG organises her classes into handy categories, like Gentle, Flow and Fiery, and offers an in-app calendar to plan your schedule, the ability to create your own playlists of faves, and downloadable flows you can take with you. The best of Adrienes beloved YT videos, all in one handy place.
£19.99 per month after 7-day trial
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Best Free Yoga Apps Of 2021
Are you looking to start a yoga practice and don’t know where to begin? These are the best free yoga apps out there today to help you get started!
Yoga could be a really useful wellness asset to anyone looking to pursue a fitter and mindful 2021. And while yoga takes some time to master, its also one of the most effective physical disciplines that also aids mental health. With the surge in virtual yoga rooms, many enthusiasts are taking to practice yoga in the comforts of their own homes.
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There are several free yoga apps, and while many of them are subscription-based, most of them offer a free version or a trial period. Plus, there are some beginner-friendly free apps that have been designed to be user-friendly and engaging so users can introduce yoga into their daily routine.
Yoga has been around for thousands of years and has numerous benefits for the mind, body, and spirit. With virtual learning on the rise and at-home workouts becoming more and more popular, yoga goers can now get their zen through some of the best free yoga apps. The app store can be overwhelming for those looking for online yoga classes but some of the best free yoga apps can scratch that yoga itch and shouldn’t be missed.
Is Yoga Good For Weight Loss
The development of yoga has benefited many people in losing weight in a healthy way. Yoga for weight loss is a debatable topic. Many people believe that Yoga alone does not promote weight loss. Yoga, when combined with healthy eating, has proven beneficial as it helps to lose weight along with keeping your mind and body healthy. Yoga increases your mindfulness and how you relate to your body. You will start seeking out food that is healthy instead of binging on food that can increase your fat accumulation.
Losing weight has two important aspects, healthy eating, and exercise. Yoga poses for weight loss demand these aspects.
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Yoga For Weight Loss Free
Yoga for Weight Loss Free, as its name sort of tells you, is a yoga app thats free to use.
The app gives you beginner-friendly yoga poses great if you are just getting started which help you to tone your body and lose weight.
There are three different levels featured on the app, which range from beginner to advanced. So you can choose the one that best suits your skillset.
What I like about the app is that it offers 30-day yoga workout plans that can help you with weight loss. And, the app is suited to everyone whether youre male or female, young or old, or beginner or experienced.
You can even customize your own workout routines, sync workout and calorie data to Google Fit, track burned calories and weight loss progress, and get a daily reminder that will keep you motivated.
Get the app:
Yoga With Adriene Youtube Channel
Adriene has a huge library of yoga videos covering a variety of focuses, but I have linked you to her weight loss section.
And believe it or not, Adriene 30 days of free yoga is how I first got started with yoga!
You can ALSO find specific weight loss videos on her channel, including videos on
- Toning your whole body
- Hips, core
- And so much more
Adrienes YouTube channel has been growing strong since 2012, has nearly 5 million subscribers and has had just over 400 million views.
She also adds new videos weekly! And these videos are all free because they are on YouTube.
The only other comment I have here is that paid programs are usually more organized and targeted towards specific goals .
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Whats The Right Form Of Yoga For Weight Loss
There are many different styles of yoga. You need to choose one of the more intense flowing styles of yoga such as Ashtanga, Vinyasa or Power Yoga if you want to lose weight.
These classes will give you a good workout and burn calories. Unlike some activities, such as running, yoga is unlikely to increase your appetite. It may even curb your appetite. A big plus if your aim is weight loss.
Just remember, the more powerful poses burn the most calories. You have to earn it!
The recommendations for weight loss are at least 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise per week. Online yoga programs can help you build a regular yoga practice. Easily accessible you can work out from home on a regular basis.
What counts as vigorous exercise? It means you cant say more than a few words without pausing for breathe.
Yes, you can achieve this with yoga. Ive finished yoga for weight loss sessions feeling every part of my body has been worked hard and all I want to do is go for a nap!
Surya Namaskara Sun Salutation
The Surya Namaskara or Sun Salutation does more than warm up the muscles and get the blood flowing. It stretches and tones most of the major muscles, trims the waist, tones the arms, stimulates the digestive system, and balances the metabolism. Surya Namaskar is a whole package of good health and the best way to lose weight.
Interested to strengthen your immune system by practicing yoga?
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What Should I Wear For A Yoga Class
Be sure to wear comfortable clothes that are easy to move in. Yoga pants are typically a good choice, but shorts are also a popular option for men and women or those who enjoy hot yoga. Choose tops that are comfortable yet form-fitting so theyll stay in place while you perform certain postures such as bending over into a forward fold.
Look for clothes that are made of moisture-wicking material so you stay dry and comfortable. Women may wear a sports bra, though many yoga tops come with sports bras already built-in. Most people do yoga barefoot, so you dont have to wear any special shoes or socks.
How We Choose The Best Apps
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Broad Search
Our unique algorithm scoured the App Store and Google Play Store by searchingyoga, beginner yoga, daily yoga and 5 other keywords. From there, we retrieved a total of 983 unique apps as potential candidates.
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Additional Review by Editorial Team
Finally, our editorial team checks all apps in ourbest 10 list one by one to make sure these apps are of the highest quality.
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Filter only high-quality apps
We then selected the highest quality apps fromthe 983 apps listed. We compared the number of stars,downloads, and reviews along with the velocity of these apps to create a list of the Best Yoga Apps for both Android & iOS.
If you are interested in learning more about our process, find out here.
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Universal Breathing Pranayama Lite
While poses are an important part of yoga, one of the most important aspects is breathing. Yoga can help you to improve your breathing, and an app that focuses on this aspect of yoga is called Universal Breathing Pranayama Lite.
The app offers extensive breathing courses from beginner to advanced level. For anyone whos looking to improve their breathing, and wants to focus on that part of yoga, this is the ideal app.
Get the app here:
What Equipment Do I Need For Yoga
Whether youre practicing yoga at a studio, gym, or at home, youll want to use a yoga mat for stability and cushion for meditation if you are on hardwood floors and other surfaces. Aside from that, you really dont need any additional equipment. As you continue with your yoga practice, you may find that yoga props such as blocks, straps, bolsters, or wheelsare helpful, since they’re designed to enhance certain postures by offering more support.
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Purple Valley Ashtanga Yoga
If you want to find out how Ashtanga Yoga can help you, the YouTube channelPurple Valley Ashtanga Yoga is a good place to start. Every year some of the big name instructors in Ashtanga Yoga gather in Goa creating a unique series of yoga videos.
If youre new to Ashtanga Yogo start with this gentle beginners routine:
Sethu Bandha Sarvangasana Bridge Pose
Yet another asana with multiple benefits is the Sethu Bandha Sarvangasana or Bridge pose. It is excellent for glutes, thyroid as well as weight loss. The Bridge pose improves muscle tone, digestion, regulates hormones, and improves thyroid levels. It also strengthens your back muscles and reduces back pain.
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Best Yoga App For Building Skill: Alomoves
AloMoves is another bang-for-your-buck offering when it comes to variety, but where the app really shines is its skills section and its not all about handstands and backbends either. Beginners will benefit from programmes that will build your balance, or teach you how to float, while more intermediate and advanced yogis will love taking a deep dive into notoriously tricky poses.
£17.49 after 2-week trial
GET THE APPBest free yoga app: Yoga For Beginners
The inclusion of the occasional pop-up ad means you dont have to pay a thing for Yoga for Beginners. You dont even need to create an account. This yoga app features straightforward audio guidance and simple animations to guide you through basic flows. The lack of jargon and the labelling of each pose make it do make it pretty good for beginners although the lack of flow between postures mean youll need to look elsewhere if you want guidance on transitions.
Adho Mukha Svanasana Downward Dog Pose
Adho Mukha Svanasana tones your whole body with a little extra attention to specific muscles. It helps to strengthen your arms, thighs, hamstring and back. Holding this pose and concentrating on your breathing engages your muscles and tones them, as well as improves your concentration and blood circulation.
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Best Yoga App For Beginners: Yoga Studio
While all the apps on this list offer great beginner flows and programmes, the simple design and easy navigation of Yoga Studio mean its the perfect place to learn the basics. Their Beginner Essentials category is great for newbies and those who want a total form refresher. Theres also an extensive poses category if you want to look something up as well as a custom class creator, where you can stitch together your own flow from your favourite poses. Nifty, no?
£9.99 per month after 1-month trial
Incredible But A Few Things
First off, the app is amazing and I’ve grown very attached to it. But a couple things. Its not something I would suggest for beginners. I’d suggest it for people who have dabbled a bit in yoga. Thankfully, I have experienced yoga before, so I had a lucky start. But I understand not everyone does yoga. So it might not be the best app for younger people or people who have never done at least a bit of yoga before. But I really enjoy the different varieties of sessions. They are super fun to do and I actually struggle with trying not to repeat sessions! I once found myself wanting to do more sessions AFTER Id finished my workout. Also, I dont know if this is just for me, but my phone refuses to allow a yoga plan. It always says that theres an issue. Please try again later. All in all, great app. Just not for beginners.
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Best Online Yoga Programs To Lose Weight
Online yoga classes have made my home practice so much better and Ive put together a list of my favorite online yoga channels when you want to lose weight, both free and paid. You can find classes on YouTube or subscribe to an online yoga channel for a small monthly subscription. .
These best yoga classes for weight loss videos are a great idea when you dont have time to visit a yoga studio or you want to practice yoga everyday.
Yoga Asanas For Weight Loss
Yoga does not always result in weight loss immediately as these poses are simple. These Yoga poses focus mostly on building body flexibility, improving concentration, and building your muscle tone. Once your body gets used to these asanas, you will begin to practice Yoga asanas for weight loss.
Some of the Yoga asanas and yoga tips for weight loss are as given below.
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Adidas Training By Runtastic
Next on the list we have Adidas Training by Runtastic. Now, this app differs from the others on the list, in that its not just solely a yoga app. Instead, its a workout app that offers lots of different workouts from boxing to HITT.
It does, of course, include free yoga workouts too. So, you can enjoy yoga without having to pay for it. Its just a great app overall for anyone looking for free workouts.
Get the app:
How To Use Yoga For Weight Loss
When considering yoga for weight loss, think long-term. Rather than focusing on how you want to look, consider how you want to feel! Shift your mindset and ask yourself why you want to lose weight in the first place. When you find reasons beyond your external appearance, youre more likely to put in the work and show up for yourself both on and off your mat.
Heres how to use a yoga practice to help support weight loss efforts.
Practice Frequently: Try to make it to your mat 3 times a week or more!
Use Your Yoga Practice to Destress: keep that cortisol low!
Hydrate: Remember to hydrate before, during, and after your yoga practice.
Switch it Up: Try different styles of yoga such as HIIT and Vinyasa. Youll activate different muscles and keep your metabolism firing.
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Best Yoga App For A Spiritual Practice: Gaia
What began as a yoga app is now more a guide to a spiritual lifestyle. Gaia features a plethora of lecture series right alongside their yoga sessions but if the former is just not your vibe, you can jump straight to the yoga menu. Here, youll find sessions that are less about core strength and backbends, and more about finding peace, dealing with grief and opening up your heart.
£8.99 per month
Best Yoga App For Challenges: Hannah Barrett Yoga
London yogi Hannah Barrett is all about fuss-free flows that do exactly what they say on the tin. On her app, her videos fall into a variety of categories based on goals or needs yogis may have, including things like balance, flexibility, strength and power, or even post-natal. What really sets the relatively new app apart though, is Hannahs challenges. Completing each days flow will unlock the next to give you with a real sense of achievement as you level up. They become increasingly challenging too, so your practice will progress. Bonus: Her Yoga For Life 28-Day Challenge is currently free. Win.
£19.99 per month after a 2-week trial
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Best Free Yoga Apps In 2021
- 23rd October 2020
- Verified By: Luke Hughes
Searching for the best free yoga app to track your progress and find fun new workouts? We have listed 15 of the very best just below!
Whether youre a beginner looking for an app to cover all of the basics, or youre an experienced yogi looking for free yoga apps to inspire your next session, we can guarantee that there is something for you in the list below!
Before we jump straight in, why not enquire about our Level 4 Nutrition for Sport qualification and find out how you can make a career out of your passion for health and fitness.
Alternatively, you can read all about the range of courses that you can study with us by downloading the free OriGym course prospectus.
Also feel free to download your FREE 45 Minute Yoga SequenceWorkout below:
