Nothing compares to yoga when it comes to living a more balanced life in all of its aspects, and same goes for your weight and body fat. If you would like to slim down naturally and holistically, forget crash dieting and extreme exercise: yoga will take you there down the longer and more winding route, but once you get to your destination, there will be fewer implications to your overall health and less chance of the extra weight returning. Here are four simple yoga exercises that will go a long way in eradicating abdominal and back fat.

1. The Cobra

Lay down on your stomach with legs stretched out behind you, forehead resting gently on the floor, palms down under your shoulders, elbows tucked and touching your ribs. Inhale and begin to slowly straighten your arms and arching your back until your chest, head and shoulders raise up off the floor. Keeping your hips and thighs on the ground, arch your body as far and high as you can comfortably go. Stay in this position for 15-30 seconds, then slowly lower yourself back down. Repeat 5 times, resting 15 seconds between each movement.

The Cobra works all of the abdominal muscles. It strengthens the back and upper body areas, makes the body limber, and makes the spine more flexible.

2. The Bow

Lay on your stomach with legs stretched out and hands at your sides facing up. Exhale as you bend your knees up, bring them as close as you can to the pelvis, then reach back and grab your ankles. Breathe steadily and hold this position for 15-30 seconds before exhaling and releasing. Repeat 5 times with 15 seconds of rest between each pose.

The calming Bow pose works and tightens the core muscles. It also stretches out the entire body, especially the back and spine.

3. Knees to Chest

Lie on your back with legs stretched out, heels together, arms resting at your sides. Exhale as you slowly bend your knees, moving them towards your chest. Pull the knees hugging them to your body and hold for one minute. Breathe out while you release, rest for 15 seconds and repeat 5 times.

By bringing your knees to your chest in this slow, deliberate manner you are tightening your abs, stretching the lower back, and toning your mid-section. This exercise also speeds up the metabolism and disposes of abdominal fat.

4. Saluting the Sun

The sun salutation is a series of 12 distinct individual postures that are done in a specific order. They are especially effective when done first thing in the morning and are extremely beneficial for the entire body. Refer to the video for a full tutorial on how to start your day by saluting the sun.Sun salutations wake you up and give you

The sun salutations are a great way of waking up and storing energy that helps to take on the day. The moves detoxify your body by getting the lymphatic system up and running at the start of each day. They also boost the digestive system, unclogging it and making movements more regular. The salutations also tone and tighten abdominal muscles, increase spinal flexibility, and help with weight loss.