Bhubaneswar: In today’s time, obesity or being overweight has become a serious social problem. Excess fat accumulates in the body, making people appear obese. Fat mainly accumulates around the hips, thighs, and abdomen. In addition, it can also gather in the heart and liver. This issue affects people of all ages and genders.
Being excessively overweight impacts the respiratory, circulatory, and excretory systems. As a result, it weakens the immune system and invites problems like high blood pressure, anxiety, respiratory diseases, diabetes, and heart disease. Therefore, controlling it is essential.
The main causes include overeating, eating without hunger, consuming oily, spicy, and refined foods. It can also stem from lack of exercise, thyroid issues, and hereditary factors. Hence, through a regulated lifestyle, proper diet, and some effective yogasanas, obesity can be controlled.
Chakki Chalanasana (Grinding Pose)
Sit on the floor with your legs stretched straight and apart by about a foot. Interlock your fingers and stretch your arms forward, keeping your arms and back straight throughout. Without bending your elbows or spine, inhale and bend forward as far as possible, then exhale and rotate your interlocked hands in a circular motion from left to right over your legs and hips.
When leaning backward, inhale; and when moving forward again, exhale. This completes one round. Practice 5 such rounds in one direction and then 5 rounds in the opposite direction. This can be practiced with even wider leg spacing for more effect.
Fast Halasana Combo
This is a combination of two asanas – Halasana and Paschimottanasana.
1. Lie down flat on your back.
2. Keep both legs and feet together.
3. Place your hands beside your body with palms facing down.
4. Relax your entire body.
5. Using your arms for support, inhale and raise both legs up and over your head, trying to touch your toes to the floor behind your head.
6. Immediately return to the starting position and sit up.
7. Exhale, bend forward, try to touch your toes, and press your forehead to your knees.
8. Then return to the sitting position and lie down again.
This completes one cycle. Practice up to 10 such cycles.
Caution: People suffering from hernia, sciatica, back or hip pain, high blood pressure, or heart disease should avoid this practice.