Yoga For Hips And Thighs
1. Utkatasana
Also Known As – Chair Pose Benefits – This asana stimulates the muscles in your legs, especially the hips and thighs. Sitting on a chair is easy, but when you sit on an imaginary chair, your muscles are exerted as they hold the fort for your body. Your body weight rests upon your legs, especially on the muscles of the hips and thighs. This not only tones your legs and builds muscle but strengthens the area too. How To Do It – Stand erect in Tadasana. Gently bend your knees and lower your buttocks as if you are seated on an imaginary chair. Inhale and extend your arms over your head. Hold the pose for a few seconds as you keep the flow of your breath going. Release. Curing Tip – Listen to your body. If you are a beginner, lower your hips only as much as you can, but increase gradually. Once you feel comfortable in the pose, you could pulse a bit to increase the intensity and the stretch in the muscle. A Word Of Caution: You should not feel too much strain on the knees. Make sure the load of this pose does not translate into the knees.
2. Virabhadrasana II
Also Known As – Warrior Pose II Benefits – This asana works on the legs for sure, but specifically on the inner thighs. At the outset, this pose might look simple, but it works on the muscles that do not get attention when we run our daily chores. The best part is that both the legs get a different workout at the same time, so more muscle groups are targeted with this asana. How To Do It – Widen your legs such that they are substantially more than hip-width apart. Turn your right heel with the toes pointing outwards, and use your left heel to ground yourself. The arch of your left heel must be in line with the right foot. Lower your hips and then radiate your energy out as you stretch out your arms such that they are in line with your shoulders. Turn your gaze forward and hold the pose with integrity. Breathe slow and strong as you hold the pose and then release. Repeat on the other side. Curing Tip – For best results, widen the stretch of your legs and lower your pelvis, but make a mental note to pull the abdominal organs upward. Make sure you maintain balance on both legs equally.
3. Natarajasana
Also Known As – Lord Of The Dance Pose Benefits – The hip flexors are stimulated and stretched in this very graceful posture. Both the inner and outer thigh muscles are worked upon. This asana strengthens the legs as the body balances on one leg. Right from your pelvis to your feet, every muscle in your leg is toned and stretched. Your hips are opened up, and all the energy blocks in the legs are released. The blood circulation in your legs is enhanced, which gives a fresh flow of oxygen and nutrients to them. How To Do It – Stand in Tadasana. Lift your right foot and swing it behind such that your right leg is parallel to the ground. Bend your knee, reaching your right arm to the right foot/big toe, and stretch. Once you grasp the right foot, stretch your left arm forward. You could keep the palms stretched out or assume the Gyan Mudra. Look at your left fingers. Hold the pose for a few seconds as you take long, deep breaths. Release and repeat on the other side. To know more about this asana, click here: Natarajasana
4. Ustrasana
Also Known As – Camel Pose Benefits – This asana brilliantly opens your pectoral muscles and gives strenght to the hip flexors. It also tones all the limbs, especially the thighs. This asana works on the front part of your body, so the muscles in the frontal thighs get thoroughly toned and stimulated. How To Do It – Sit in Vajrasana. Lift your hips and raise your body such that the hip muscles and calf muscles are perpendicular. Open up your chest and lean back. Reach your arms for the soles, making sure your arms are stretched out. Gently hang your head as you gaze at the back. Esnure that there is no adverse feeling at the lumbar spine area. Hold the pose as you take long, deep breaths. Release.
5. Upavistha Konasana
Also Known As – Seated Wide Legged Forward Fold Benefits – This asana works amazingly well on the posterior part of your legs. Apart from giving them a good stretch, it works on the much-ignored inner thighs. It builds strength and flexibility, besides being wonderfully adapted to women’s needs How To Do It – Sit in Dandasana. Stretch your legs as wide apart as you can. Then, bring your palms to the center. If you are flexible enough, direct your body and reach out ahead, attempting to rest your upper torso on the ground with your chin and head being the last to rest on the ground. If not, bend your elbows and let your head hang. Breathe a few times, then slowly come back up and bring your feet together.
6. Janu Sirsasana
Also Known As – Head To Knee Pose Benefits – The Janu Sirsasana works towards increasing the flexibility in the hamstrings and its subsets whilst toning the thighs and hip joints. Besides that, the leg muscles are stretched, there is a greater stretch on the back and spine, which contributes to an increase in the circulation of blood in these regions. This nourishes the muscles and keeps the area healthy. This asana helps to strengthen the legs too, and if done for a prolonged period, calms the mind as well. How To Do It – Assume the Dandasana. Fold your left knee such that the left foot is touching the right thigh. Stretch your arms up, lengthen your torso, and reach out for your foot with your arms. Breathe into your abdomen. Hold and release, and repeat with the other leg. Although you are meant to touch your head to your knee in this asana, what is more important in this pose is keeping your back straight.
7. Baddha Konasana
Also Known As – Cobbler Pose, Butterfly Pose, Bound Angle Pose Benefits – This asana is an amazing hip opener. It also increases the range of motion in your hips. Your inner thighs are stretched and toned, and lean mass is built. This asana basically works on your hips and thighs and does wonders for them. How To Do It – Sit on the mat with your legs stretched out. Fold your knees, and bring your feet to the center. Join your feet, and straighten your back. Hold your feet with your palms. Now, push your knees down to the ground, as much as you possibly can. Hold the pose for a few minutes and release.
8. Malasana
Also Known As – Garland Pose Benefits – The Malasana is another pose that works mainly on the legs, especially on the hips and thighs. It enhances the circulation of blood and ensures a good stretch in your hips and thighs. It widens your hips and gives your leg muscles great strength and flexibility. How To Do It – Squat on the floor, making sure your feet are together, and your buttocks are off the floor. Join your palms at the center, and dig your elbows heavily on the inner side of the knees. Push your knees with your elbows as wide as possible. Hold the pose for at least 10 breaths. Release.
9. Navasana
Also Known As – Naukasana, Boat Pose Benefits – When you practice this asana regularly, it moves beyond your body, i.e., the organs, nerves, bones, and muscles, and penetrates into the very core of your being. As you balance your body weight on your buttocks, your being trembles initially. But, a whole lot of strength and determination is built within the few seconds of suspension. There is a great improvement in blood circulation, and your legs get a good stretch. How To Do It – Sit in Dandasana. Then, lift your legs off the ground with knees bent. When you manage to balance, lift your hands off the floor, and stretch them out in front of you. Work towards creating a ’V’ with your upper and lower body. Breathe long and deep. Release.
10. Salabhasana
Also Known As – Locust Pose, Grasshopper Pose Benefits – This is an effective yoga exercise that addresses the posterior spine while adding ‘lifting’ capabilities in the legs and to tone or shape up the glutes. It also works on many other parts of your body. It strengthens your legs and enhances the flow of blood. Your hips and thighs (legs, in general) remain strong, flexible, and in good health. How To Do It – Lie on your abdomen, and lift your legs off the mat, right from the hips. Stretch your arms behind you and lift your chest off the floor. Lift your chin up and set your gaze forward. Hold the pose and breathe a few times before you release.
11. Setu Bandhasana
Also Known As – Bridge Pose Benefits – This asana enhances the circulation of blood. The raised hips enforce a good stretch. The muscles are stimulated and toned, and any energy is broken and released. How To Do It – Lie flat on your back, with the legs bent at the knees. Gently lift your hips and back off the floor. Roll the shoulders inward and stretch out your arms so that they reach your feet. Breathe long and deep. Hold the pose for a few seconds and release.
12. Ananda Balasana
Also Known As – Happy Baby Pose, Dead Bug Pose Benefits – This asana is one of the best pose in yoga for hips and thighs. This works on opening up your hip joint as well as hamstrings. Your flexors are flexed, and all the inner thigh muscles are stretched and stimulated. This asana works on the back muscles too, which are usually not worked upon. The best part about this pose is that while you are in it, you can guide the stretching and find what feels good. How To Do It – Lie flat on your back. Lift your legs off the floor, bending them at the knees. Stretch your arms out and hold the arches of your feet. Stretch your legs out using the support of your hands. Keep the knees bent, but you can flex them while you are in the pose. Hold the pose as you move and flex for a few seconds. Release and relax. The immense benefits of yoga have led many researchers to wonder about its efficacy in aiding treatments. The following graph showcases the different areas of research conducted on the possibility of using yoga as a healthy intervention to improve the quality of life in patients. Yoga was commonly employed to boost health of patients with psychiatric disorders.
Common Conditions In Yoga Systematic Reviews On Health
Can yoga make you slim? Yes, yoga can help you gain flexibility, tone your muscles, and lose excess fat, helping you feel light and look slim. How fast will yoga change my body? It depends on your individual BMI, age, fitness level, and consistent efforts. Does butterfly exercise reduce hips? Yes, it helps tone your hip and inner thigh muscles and reduce excess fat making your hips firm and shapely. Does Surya Namaskar reduce hip size? Yes, Surya Namaskar is a set of many poses that can help you tone your hips and thighs along with adding strength and flexibility. How can I reduce my hips without exercise? Eating healthy, mainatining a calorie deficit, avoiding junk, processed, or refined food, staying well-hydrated and avoiding a sedentary lifestyle can help you reduce hip fat without exercise. However, some form of exercise can hep boost the process for you. Which yoga exercise is best for weight loss? Naukasana (boat pose), Bhujangasana (cobra pose), Paschimottasana (seated forward bend), Verrbhadrasana (warrior pose), and Trikonasana (triangle pose) are a few of the yoga exercises that can help you lose weight over time.
