Does Yoga Reduce Cellulite?
Cellulite is a puckered appearance of the skin, usually on the thighs, buttocks or abdomen, caused by concentrations of fat that bulge beneath the fibers of connective tissue. Lifestyle, diet and genetics are factors that lead to cellulite. Because women generally have a higher percentage of body fat than men, cellulite affects them more often and can occur in both obese and slender women. Practicing yoga poses (asanas) may help reduce the appearance of cellulite or slow its progression.
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Benefits
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Although there is no known cure for cellulite, doctors often recommend regular exercise to treat cellulite. Much anecdotal evidence suggests that yoga, in particular, is effective at reducing cellulite. Using physical postures that require both strength and flexibility, yoga can increase muscle tone and reduce fat deposits that cause cellulite. Deep breathing and stimulation of the lymphatic system through yoga also can help reduce cellulite. Yoga has many other health benefits, such as improving digestion and immune function and relieving the discomfort of arthritis and back pain.
Standing Poses
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Standing yoga poses such as Crescent Lunge (Anjaneyasana), Triangle (Trikonasana), Warrior III (Virabhadrasana III), Eagle (Garudasana), Chair (Utkatasana) and Standing Forward Bend (Uttanasana) strengthen the thighs and buttocks. These poses both engage and stretch the muscles to improve muscle tone.
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Other Poses
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Consider other yoga poses that strengthen and expand the muscles of the thighs, buttocks and abdomen when choosing a yoga sequence to reduce cellulite. Useful poses include Bridge (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana), Cow-Face Pose (Gomukhasana) and Four-limbed Staff Pose (Chaturanga Dandasana). Abdominal exercises, such as those practiced in Forrest Yoga, may reduce cellulite in the stomach area.
Lymphatic Circulation
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Blockage of the lymphatic system can cause cellulite when fat and toxins become stuck. Deep breathing in yoga classes reduces stress and encourages lymphatic flow. Inverted yoga poses stimulate the lymphatic system and encourage the natural movement of lymph fluids. These poses include Shoulder Stand (Sarvangasana), Plough (Halasana), Forearm Stand (Pincha Mayurasana) and Headstand (Sirsasana). The common Downward Facing Dog Pose (Adho Mukha Svanasana) also is considered an inversion that increases lymphatic circulation.
Considerations
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In order to ensure your own safety and learn proper alignment, start your yoga practice by studying with a certified instructor. Always let the instructor know if you have pre-existing limitations or if you experience pain during practice. The effectiveness of using yoga poses to reduce cellulite has not been scientifically tested.
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