Try These Top 5 Fat-Burning Yoga Poses to Build Muscle and Lose Weight
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We love yoga as a relaxing, restorative, and strength-building practice (with the best stretching!). But some poses can burn some serious fat, leaning out your body while you torch calories.
So which poses are the best? Mark Balfe-Taylor, director of yoga at TruFusion, compiled the top five yoga poses guaranteed to burn the most calories. "These five moves are perfect for scorching calories because they build muscle," said Mark. "Couple this while focusing on your breath, and your heart rate and metabolic rate will increase, which in turn burns fat."
Let's get started — here's how to do the five poses!
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Plank (Kumbhakasana)
A classic exercise move that tones the whole body, a plank is an efficient way to burn calories — and it's also the first part of Chaturanga Dandasana, which is an excellent arm and back strengthener. Mix up your planks with a plank challenge to burn even more calories.
Hold for one minute, repeat three times.
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Crow (Bakasana)
This inversion may look tough, but it's easier to master than you think! It also happens to be a great fat burner, all while challenging your balance and strength. Use our guide on how to do a crow pose to get started.
Do five reps, holding for five deep breaths.
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Chair (Utkatasana)
This challenging squat pose is part of Sun Salutation B, and it will BURN your glutes and thighs, creating strong legs. Be sure to keep your core tight!
Do eight to 10 reps, holding for five deep breaths.
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Wheel (Urdhva Dhanurasana)
This is another pose that may seem intimidating at first, but will eventually come naturally — the back bend, also known as Wheel Pose. When you're preparing for Wheel, start with poses like Bow and Bridge to build strength and to get comfortable before fully going for it!
Do five reps, holding for five deep breaths.
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Rotated Side Angle (Parivrtta Parsvakonasana)
Rotated Side Angle (Parivrtta Parsvakonasana) and different variations of the lunging twist — also known as Revolved Crescent or Crescent Twist (Parivrtta Anjaneyasana) — will work your core and legs simultaneously. Lunge forward, either high or low, and twist your body toward the front knee (i.e., if the front foot is the left, twist to the left). You can also start in High Crescent (similar to Low Crescent) and twist from there.
Do 10 to 15 reps per side, holding each rep for 10 deep breaths