In recent years, more and more people are trying out acupuncture to lose weight. Just what is acupuncture? How can acupuncture treatment help you lose weight?

Acupuncture is a branch of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and has been around for about 5,000 years. It is the practice of inserting very thin needles to stimulate pathways or meridians in the body to treat many illnesses and diseases especially to relieve pain from chronic disorders.

Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners or TCM physicians claim that acupuncture can help you to lose body fat by making you feel full and so will eat less. This curbs excess caloric consumption in the patient treated with acupuncture and is a great help in the patient’s weight loss program.

Acupuncture treatment can also be used to raise your metabolic rate and help you to burn more calories to speed up weight loss. Some Chinese medicine practitioners say that acupuncture stimulates the production of a hormone called endorphins and this hormone helps to lower body fat, insulin and lipid levels in the bloodstream thus less insulin is converted into body fat.

Acupuncture is not a miracle cure for obesity. TCM physicians often stress that to achieve good weight loss results from your program and maintaining your weight, acupuncture treatment alone is not enough. To lose weight effectively and keep the fats off permanently, acupuncture treatment must be combined with healthy eating habits and regular exercises.

Before you begin your acupuncture treatment, your Chinese physician will conduct a medical examination on you by checking your pulse and examination of your tongue to ensure that you are suitable for acupuncture weight loss treatment. This is because TCM is a holistic branch of health care and do not just specifically target the ailment or medical complaint. So an investigation into other reasons why a patient is obese is necessary to solve the problem holistically.

If you want to lose weight naturally and without drugs, why not try TCM acupuncture for your weight loss program?

Chris Chew is a fitness personal trainer. His coaches actors, international pageant winners and fashion models. More of his articles at Lose weight and transform your body now and Singapore personal trainers

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Hatha Yoga Postures: Sanskrit – English

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Hatha Yoga Postures: Sanskrit – English

The Sun Salutation B is a vinyasa that includes the warrior pose, combining a series of yoga postures performed in a single flow of movements in harmony with the breathing.
The regular practice of the Sun Salutation improves your core body strength, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness. It helps to burn body fat, tone the muscles and improves breathing capacity. It stimulates circulation and works the lymphatic system helping the body to get rid of toxins.

Start standing upright, feet together positioning the hands in prayer.

Take a deep breath in and lift the arms up, open the chest and bend backwards slightly.

On the next exhalation bend forwards with the palms touching the floor, you may need to bend the knees.

Breathe in and extend the back gazing forwards.

Breathe out and step or jump back to the plank position.

Breathe in  and bring the pelvis down to the cobra position (knees touching the floor) or upward facing dog position (knees not touching the floor – the toes can be either tucked in or stretched out putting less pressure on the lower back). Keep the shoulders down and the chest open.

Breathe out lifting the pelvis up into the downward dog position, lifting from the pelvis.

Breathe in moving into the warrior position. Tilt the right foot out and bring the left leg forwards, bend the left knee, keeping the shin straight.

Breathing out step or jump back and breathe in to the cobra or upward dog position.

Breathe out lifting the pelvis up into the downward dog position.

Breathe in moving into the warrior position. Tilt the left foot out and bring the right leg forwards, bend the right knee, keeping the shin straight.

Breathing out step or jump back and breathe in to the cobra or upward dog position.

Then breathe out lifting the pelvis up into the downward dog position. Hold this posture for a few seconds breathing normally.

Bend the knees, breathe in and on the next exhalation step or jump up into a standing position keeping the torso bent downwards.

Breathe in lifting the torso and arms up slowly. Open the chest bending backwards slightly.

Breathe out and bring the arm down in prayer.

You can repeat this sequence as many times as you like. Breathing normally through out.

Avoid the Sun Salutation if you have hernia, hypertension or venous blood clots.

Sun Salutation – Video Workout

Introduction to Yoga

Yoga Asanas, postures and exercises

This is a sitting balance asana that helps to improve your balance and concentration, open up the hips and stretch the back of the legs.

Start in the butterfly position, with the legs bent, soles of the feet together, with knees pointing outwards bring the heels towards you.

Keep the back straight and hold the big toes with the first two fingers.

On your next inhalation, tilt backwards a little and lift both legs together up and wide without letting go of the big toes. Keep the back and legs as straight as possible, mantaining the natural curve of the spine, lifting the torso from the hips. Depending on your flexibility you may need to bend the knees slightly

Keep the shoulders down and relaxed. Open the chest and lift it upwards.

Continue to breathe normally and hold the posture for around 30 seconds.

To come out return to the bound angle position on your next exhalation, bend the legs and bring the feet down with the soles of the feet together.

Hatha Yoga Postures: Sanskrit – English