Bariatric Yoga - Maintaining Your Lost Weight

Bariatric yoga is a program that includes the teachings of Hatha yoga with modifications for individuals who have undergone bariatric surgery and are working on their fitness and flexibility in order to connect with their new bodies. The practice combines medical therapy with physical exercise. By balancing the body and mind and improving the overall state of health, this technique becomes a sustainable way to maintain weight loss that can be used by patients before and after bariatric procedures.


This practice combines concentration with meditation and physical exercise, creating a feeling of optimal inner health by balancing the energy within the body. It promotes strength, flexibility, exercise, conscious eating and emotional well-being, helping manage emotional and medical problems that lead individuals to become obese.

Routine Instructions

STEP 1: WARM UP

Stand with your feet shoulder width apart and hands placed at your side. While taking a deep breath through your nose raise your harms over head. Exhale through your mouth while you lower your arms and bend your back to touch your toes. Repeat slowly 5 times.

STEP 2: BUILD MUSCLE AND INCREASE HEART RATE TO ACHIEVE WEIGHT LOSS

Go to plank position and hold it for 8 counts. Repeat alternating 8 times with step 3.

STEP 3: CHALLENGE YOUR UPPER ARMS

With your attention on your breathing, come from the plank position to down facing dog. Alternate each pose 8 times for 8 counts each.

STEP 4: STRETCHING

From down facing dog position, bring your right leg up and through your arms. Toes aligned with your fingers. Hold this position for 8 counts.

STEP 5: WARRIOR POSE

Come up to warrior pose, right leg in 90 degrees and left leg stretched. Your arms should be fully extended and your palms facing the floor. Hold this position for a count of 8.

STEP 6: CHAIR POSE

Stand up straight and bring your feet together. Sit back in a chair pose with your arms extended following your ear line. Hold this pose for 8 counts.

STEP 7: REPETITION

Repeat steps 1-6 without pausing and focusing on breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth.

STEP 8: COOL DOWN

Relax and try to meditate. Lie on your back or sit in a comfortable position, try to clear your mind or focus on your breathing for at least 5 minutes.

Relaxation is an important part of the practice. By achieving it, practitioners have been able to avoid stress-related snacking, follow a healthy diet and feel more vital and rejuvenated.

Bariatric yoga is especially beneficial for morbidly obese people who struggle with diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, coronary artery disease, sleep apnea and other co-morbidities that make it challenging to exercise. It has helped people achieve healthier lifestyles not only by losing weight but by improving other medical conditions including lowering blood pressure and blood sugar levels in diabetics, as well as improving conditions in people with rheumatoid arthritis. By building strength and improving bio-mechanical movement patterns, many patients have experienced improvement in chronic muscle tension, posture, and self image.

Yoga and meditation balance the practitioner's body and mind and help to achieve physical and emotional strength to be able to make some life long changes that has been proven to lead to a healthier lifestyle.

Bariatric yoga is a multi-disciplinary approach that promotes physical, mental and emotional well-being. Practitioners will build strength, flexibility and confidence.

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