Yoga popularized by Ramdev baba has gained immense popularity in the past couple of years. With increasingly large number of people benefiting from the yogic exercises suggested by him, it has become a great alternative to eliminate the extra body fat and regain a slimmer and healthier body. Reasons Behind Popularity of Yoga Hailed by the New York Times as the "Indian Who Built Yoga Empire", Ramdev baba is a yoga guru who has become an international figure, owing to his popularity of making yogic sciences available to the masses, in simple and easy steps. He believes that yoga and ayurveda both have the ability to impart healthy body to even a diseased person. Many of his followers have reaped immense benefits from his yogic exercises as well as medicines. Readers must understand that Ramdev baba has not invented any new techniques of doing yoga, rather he has made yoga simpler and easier for the laymen to understand. A large number of people attending his camps all across the globe have claimed to have reaped phenomenal benefits by practicing yoga. Weight loss is one of the health areas where maximum number of people have gained benefits. People with thyroid problems, who find exercises ineffective in their weight control have been reported to have benefited from yoga and breathing exercises. Yoga Asana For Weight Loss: Cycling Pose Ramdev baba yoga focuses more on living a healthy lifestyle by combining it with a few sessions of yogic exercises and pranayama (breathing exercises). One of the most popular exercises recommended by him is to practice the cycling pose, which is very simple and effective. Following are the steps to do this exercise which is also called Pada Sanchalanasana:

• Lie on a bed or yoga mat with your face upwards. Just like in the primary pose of Shavasana.
• Relax and close your eyes for sometime by being conscious of your entire body.
• Think of how we use our legs during cycling. You have to do exactly the same.
• Open your eyes, breathe deeply, and start practicing the cycling asana.
• Raise your right leg little above the floor for at least 2 feet in the air.
• Bend the knee and gradually bring the thigh up to the chest.
• Straighten the leg upward, with the sole towards the ceiling.
• Now lower the straight leg in forward movement.
• Repeat this entire process by going forward and backward ten times.
• While raising and lowering the right leg, keep the other leg straight, touching the mat or bed.
• Repeat the entire procedure with the left leg.

Remember to inhale while straightening the leg and exhale while bending the knee. Pranayama for Weight Loss: Kapalbhati Pranayama Although there are six to seven breathing exercises that have been popularized by Ramdev baba, the most effective one is Kapalbhati Pranayama. The word 'Kapalbhati' is derived from the Sanskrit word "kapal" meaning "forehead" and "bhati" meaning light. It is said that practicing this pranayama imparts luster and shine to the forehead, improving our overall health. Kapalbhati pranayama is one of the most preferred and very effective breathing exercises. In Kapalbhati, there is a forceful exhalation that is accompanied by passive inhalation. Following are the steps to perform this breathing exercise:

• Sit cross-legged in a comfortable asana and breath normally.
• The spine, back, and shoulder must be in vertical alignment. You must sit straight by elongating your spine and lengthening your neck. The back of your head and spine must be aligned properly.
• Relax and close your eyes. Let your breathing be normal. Don't strain or think about anything else. Just try to focus on your breathing.
• The hands must be in gyan mudra. This means that your thumb and index fingertips must meet, and the wrist must rest gently on the knees with the palms turned slightly upwards.
• Let the stomach muscles relax, and mentally prepare yourself to breathe.
• Now, expel the air as forcefully as you can. Do not strain. This will cause the abdominal muscles to be drawn inwards. It is just like the stomach muscles are sucked in. Remember not to draw your stomach inwards without exhaling. Your exhalation will automatically cause the abdominal muscles to be drawn inwards.
• Allow the inhalation to occur totally without any extra efforts.
• Repeat the exhalation and inhalation cycle for at least 10 times.
• In the starting sessions, inhale and exhale as per your body strength.

Initially, you may experience mild pain in the abdominal region; however, it may disappear with more practice. Kapalbhati pranayama must only be practiced on an empty stomach. The ideal time for practicing it is early in the morning. People who wish to practice kapalbhati in the evening should do so, only after 4-5 hours of their afternoon lunch. Yogic and breathing exercises supplemented by proper diet for weight loss can lead to a healthy body and mind. Ramdev baba encourages individuals aiming for weight loss to stop the consumption of aerated or carbonated drinks. He recommends the consumption of green vegetables, sprouts, pulses, salads, and fibrous foods, and avoidance of spicy or oily foods. Drinking one or two glasses of water every morning after we wake up, not only fosters digestion but also helps balance the fluids in our body. Many people have benefited from Ramdev baba yoga for weight loss and individuals interested in watching him live can visit his camps or purchase his yoga CDs. The official website of Ramdev baba provides information regarding the yogic exercises to lose weight. Disclaimer: This article is for informative purposes only. Always consult a physician before starting any physical fitness program in order to reduce the risk of injury.