Will Yoga Help Weight Loss
May 12, 2009
Those who struggle with their weight will be encouraged to learn that yes, indeed, Yoga can help with losing weight. The secret isn’t just in burning more calories by exercising, but in the way that Yoga helps both body and mind.
Yoga has been proven physically effective because its poses, known as asanas, tend to increase the body’s metabolism. This is easy to see with most exercise, but even easier to observe in the twists and turns of Yoga postures. Many asanas serve to break down stores of fat, enabling the body to get rid of it through natural excretion.
Furthermore, Yoga postures strengthen existing muscles, which aids the body’s metabolism as well, because lean muscle consumes calories more efficiently. And don’t be misled by the gentle appearance of some yoga postures. Even a regimen of seemingly gentle poses can leave a practitioner sweaty by the end of the routine, surprised by the intensity of the workout.
However, there’s more to Yoga’s weight loss benefits than faster metabolism and strong muscles.
Scientific studies for several years have documented Yoga’s ability to produce a state of relaxation. This relaxed state has been show to lower blood pressure and relieve many stress-related ailments. Medical researchers are beginning to learn that the American epidemic of obesity has a major stress component to it as well.
Much overeating, or eating foods rich in calories but poor in nutrition, can be traced to stressful lifestyles. In contrast, Yoga promotes a calmer mind by encouraging the practitioner to focus on harmonizing breathing with physical movement. This concentration leads to a state of meditation that causes tensions to simply disappear. Less tension, less emotional eating, less weight!
So how does one get started in Yoga for weight loss? These days there are almost as many different forms of yoga as there are instructors, and some of them, such as “power yoga,” aren’t for everyone. On the other hand, someone who wants to see quick results in weight loss probably won’t be happy attempting Ashtanga Yoga, which, although intense, requires much more time to master its poses.
The best bet for many beginners is to start with a regimen of Hatha Yoga, and stick with it. From there students can branch out into more intense forms of Yoga. As with all forms of exercise, beginners – especially those who are battling obesity – should check with their family doctors before starting any new exercise routine.
So yes, Yoga can help with weight loss. No, it won’t happen overnight, but the journey to a leaner body and a calmer mind will be as enjoyable as the destination.
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