Yoga is an ancient Indian practice that involves disciplined breathing paired with various exercise postures. The yogic breathing exercises "kapalbhati" and "pranayama" can help you burn stomach fat by expanding your abdominal muscles and making them flexible and strong. Other yoga techniques to burn belly fat include various single postures as well as the classic sun salutation, a series of 12 movements that flow in sequence and that you may repeat as many times as you wish.
Kapalbhati
Kapalbhati is a breathing technique that is thought to be able to help you overcome the blues, negativity, stress and depression. It is also an effective abdominal workout. To do kapalbhati, sit on the floor with your legs folded under you. Relax, but keep your spine erect. Close your eyes, and quickly expel air from your nose while simultaneously contracting your stomach inward. Next, allow your stomach to expand as you breath in deeply. Repeat this process as fast as you can for 10 minutes.
Pranayama
Pranayama is thought to regulate the movement of oxygen inside the body, and can be paired with kapalbhati for a more intense abdominal workout. Sit on the floor with your legs under you. Relax, but with your spine erect. Close your eyes, and close your right nostril with your right thumb. In one count, inhale deeply from your left nostril, allowing your abdomen to fully expand. Hold your breath for up to seven seconds. Close your left nostril with your left thumb, and in one count release your breath from your right nostril. With your left nostril still obstructed, inhale deeply from your right nostril. Repeat the process for up to 40 counts.
Sun Salutation
Begin this classic yoga exercise with your feet hip-width apart, hands by your sides. Inhale, raise your arms overhead and gently arch back as far as you can. Exhale, bending forward until your hands rest beside your feet. Inhale and move your right foot back. Exhale and move your left leg back into plank position. Hold the pose. Inhale. Exhale and lower yourself as if you were coming out of a push-up. Only your hands and feet should touch the floor. Inhale and stretch forward and up, bending your waist and using your arms to lift your torso. Lift your legs so that only the tops of your feet and hands touch the floor. Exhale, lift your hips and push back up. Inhale and set your right foot forward. Exhale and bring the left foot forward. Your head is at your knees. Inhale, rise and keep your arms extended. Exhale, lower your arms to your sides and repeat the sequence, stepping out with your left foot.
Additonal Poses
Try this belly fat-burning pose, called "release." Lie on your back and take a deep breath. Bend your left knee and grab your toes, bringing your knee to touch your abdomen while simultaneously lifting your head to touch your bent knee. Keep your right leg straight and hold your breath. Count to 10 and return to the start. Repeat with the other leg. The "bow" is another fat-burning yoga posture. Lie on your stomach. Bend your knees, hold your hands out behind you and grab your ankles. Arch your back and raise your legs higher, pushing out and up. Hold your head back, and keep the pose for as long as you can, up to 10 seconds.
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