Aerial yoga is a sport for everyone, and this means any gender or size. This is what is great about aerial yoga as it is suitable for everyone and gives you a great workout too.
Here Is Why Aerial Yoga Is Good For Obese People:
a. Aerial Yoga can hold obese people
b. Enhances Flexibility
c. Different Yoga Poses help lose weight
d. Good for bad backs
Within this article we are going to discuss aerial yoga and how it beneficial if you are looking for a new sport, and will discuss how it will work for overweight/obese people in detail. Thanks for reading.
Why Aerial Yoga Is Good For Obese People:
a. Aerial Yoga Equipment Can Hold Obese People:
There are many different kinds of yoga apparatus. The most common in studios are the aerial hoop, the aerial hammock, and the yoga trapeze.
Aerial Hoop- This is a large ring suspended from the ceiling, which is made of fabric. The aerial hoop is used in many poses for balance and stability.
Once an obese person practices on this apparatus their reason for attempting yoga will improve if they are not already motivated to try it out. The Yoga Hoop is large enough to hold an obese person in the air, however, it will not harm them or rip.
Aerial Hammock- This yoga apparatus is a large piece of fabric that is held up by string and attached to the ceiling. This pose provides stability in many poses, works on core stability and balance, and allows for increased flexibility in different body parts. Once an obese person practices on this apparatus their reason for attempting yoga will improve if they are not already motivated to try it out.
Yoga Trapeze- This apparatus is used for upside-down poses such as headstands and handstands. It provides increased strength training, which helps obese person to improve their reason for attempting yoga. The positive reinforcement of yoga will improve their self-esteem because they will get stronger and lose weight.
b. Aerial Yoga Is Beneficial For Obese People To Enhance Flexibility
As we all know, we become stiffer as we age and this includes obesity due to lack of physical activity and increased weight which causes arthritis in joints and decreased range of motion.
How Yoga Enhances Flexibility
1. Yoga helps to increase the range of motion in joints- The joints in obese people are stiff and do not move as much, thus decreasing flexibility. Yoga will increase the range of motion which allows for increased flexibility.
2. Yoga helps to increase muscle strength- The muscles surrounding a joint can be made stronger through yoga. This increases activity in those joints which enhances flexibility by increasing the range of motion that those joints can move.
3. Yoga helps us control our breathing- When yoga is practiced regularly the breathing becomes more even and controlled which in turn helps promote better health through increased oxygen intake, lung function, and heart health.
4. Yoga creates space between the vertebrae- The increased flexibility in the spine and muscles surrounding the spine will decrease back pain. The flexibility in the spine also helps to improve posture.
5. Yoga reduces stress- Stress causes a hormone known as cortisol which causes inflammation and stiffness in joints thus decreasing flexibility.
6. Yoga improves your mood- The endorphins released during yoga help promote happiness and relaxation. In turn, fewer negative thoughts will impair an obese person’s judgment on whether or not to try yoga.
c. Aerial Yoga Poses Help Obese People Lose Weight
Weight loss is the most common reason why obese people begin practicing yoga. Most often, people are excited when they can fit into clothes that fit them better and makes them more comfortable in their own skin.
The number of pounds lost will vary for each person; however, the main factor in weight loss is to burn more calories than you intake. Here are some of the reasons why practicing yoga will help obese people lose weight:
1. Yoga increases your heart rate- The increased oxygen intake and blood circulation help to burn fat as well as improve strength conditioning which can help prevent osteoporosis.
2. Yoga improves muscle tone- Yoga strengthens the muscles in the body which in turn burns more calories and creates a higher metabolism.
3. Yoga increases metabolism- The more muscle you have, the faster your body burns fat even when sitting down or sleeping. Muscle also takes up less space than fat does, so having more muscles will make you look slimmer.
4. Yoga improves digestion- The increased blood flow and oxygen intake combined with yoga’s help to balance the hormones in the gut will aid in digestion and food absorption.
d. Good Aerial Yoga Poses To Build Strength For Obese People:
Weight loss is the most common reason why obese people begin practicing yoga. Most often, people are excited when they can fit into clothes that fit them better and makes them more comfortable in their own skin.
The number of pounds lost will vary for each person; however, the main factor in weight loss is to burn more calories than you intake. Here are some of the reasons why practicing yoga will help obese people lose weight:
1. Yoga increases your heart rate- The increased oxygen intake and blood circulation help to burn fat as well as improve strength conditioning which can help prevent osteoporosis.
2. Yoga improves muscle tone- Yoga strengthens the muscles in the body which in turn burns more calories and creates a higher metabolism.
3. Yoga increases metabolism- The more muscle you have, the faster your body burns fat even when sitting down or sleeping. Muscle also takes up less space than fat does, so having more muscles will make you look slimmer.
4. Yoga improves digestion- The increased blood flow and oxygen intake combined with yoga’s help to balance the hormones in the gut will aid in digestion and food absorption.
3 Good Aerial Yoga Poses To Build Strength For Obese People:
1. Wheel Pose
The wheel pose, also known as Chakrasana, is a backbend that strengthens the spine and opens the chest. It is hard for obese people to get into it on their own, so requesting assistance from the teacher is advised.
How is it Done?
- Kneel on the floor with your knees hip-width apart and sit on your heels. Extend your arms in front of you while keeping them shoulder-width apart. Arch back into a backbend with palms facing up.
- Breathe deeply while holding the pose for 5 breaths (or more, depending on comfort level).
- On your last breath, release, and return to starting position with arms stretched forward.
2. Bow Pose
Bow pose, also known as Dhanurasana, helps in building core strength. It is a backbend that opens the chest and stretches the spine.
How is it Done?
- Start with lying on your stomach with your legs fully extended behind you. Bend both knees with shins parallel to the floor. Place palms on the floor beside your hips with fingers facing forward.
- Inhale as you lift your chest and reach your hands back to grasp your ankles. Try not to let your weight rest on your elbows, but keep them slightly lifted off the ground.
- Keep your knees together as you inhale and exhale deeply for 10 breaths before releasing.
3. Camel Pose
Camel pose, also known as Ustrasana, strengthens back muscles and opens up the chest boosting blood circulation in the body.
How is it Done?
- Sit on your heels with shins parallel to the floor. Extend arms out in front of you with palms facing down. Exhale while you lurch your chest towards the ceiling and bend back.
- Keep upper body straight with head in line with the spine, gaze up at hands on hips or thighs on mat. Be mindful not to let weight rest on your elbows but keep them slightly off the ground.
- Keep breathing deeply for 10 breaths before releasing and returning to starting position.
Aerial Yoga helps Obese People With bad backs:
Bad backs and osteoporosis can be a side effects of obesity. If you’ve been struggling with your weight for a long time, your body might be feeling the consequences. But don’t worry; there’s still hope! Here are some of the reasons why practicing yoga is beneficial for obese people with bad backs:
1. Yoga improves your flexibility- Increased oxygen intake and blood circulation from the cardiovascular workout coupled with the deep stretching involved in yoga will help bring a sense of relief to a tight back.
2. Yoga builds strength- Building muscle tone helps to stabilize the core which then acts as a support structure for the skeleton. Exercise makes bones stronger, so the more muscle you have, the less likely your back is to be affected by osteoporosis.
3. Yoga increases balance and coordination- As you lose weight, yoga can help make your body feel lighter and more dynamic which will, in turn, increase your agility and coordination.
4. Yoga helps you focus your mind- A relaxed and calm mind will let you concentrate on the moment without distractions. This is important for obese people with bad backs as it lets them focus on their poses and movements.
The benefits of yoga are numerous and can help obese people who suffer from bad backs. Yoga increases oxygen intake, blood circulation, muscle tone, coordination, and balance while also helping you to focus on the moment without distractions.
It’s important for those with chronic pain to find a form of exercise that they enjoy doing because it will be more likely to stick. If your goal is weight loss or maintaining a healthy lifestyle, practicing aerial yoga might be the perfect fit!