Yoga for Weight Loss

Whenever we're looking to relax and connect with our bodies, yoga comes to mind. That's why it's the star activity when it comes to body control. Today, there are several yoga centres and yoga alternatives or variations available to suit all tastes. In fact, many people do no other physical activity than yoga, as they consider it to be enough to stay healthy and, thus, control their weight.

How yoga works to burn calories

First, you need to understand how yoga works and what it does in your body to know if it's a good ally to help in your weight loss. We mustn't forget that it's an activity that works our joints and muscles. The only variation is the intensity, and that makes it different.

It's important to note that yoga works by alternating contraction and stretching of the muscles through different asanas or postures. These types of exercises cause blood flow to rise considerably which causes the heart rate to accelerate and the veins to compress and expand.

Benefits of yoga

The benefits of yoga are manifold: regular practice helps you develop body awareness, helps you get to know yourself better, and, perhaps, see yourself differently without comparing yourself to others. There's always someone thinner, taller, stronger, or more flexible, but if you accept yourself as you are and learn to push yourself out of your comfort zone, you'll see your self-confidence skyrocket.

The consistent practice of yoga and relaxation techniques also develops discipline and perseverance – qualities that'll help you reduce anxiety and stress, control emotional hunger, and stick to your diet without feeling frustrated. In addition, certain asanas balance and stimulate the digestive system, and lower muscle mass at the same time, helping you to improve the overall appearance of your body. In short, yoga doesn't make you slim, but it does stimulate your body and mind.

The balance will also depend on the type of yoga you choose. In the dynamic styles such as Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Jivamukti, and Power Yoga, you move your body to the rhythm of your breath, and tend to sweat and tone your body more noticeably. But don't underestimate Hatha, Iyengar, or Kundalini, which can also be strong and deep, and accelerate your heart rate. Among the more modern styles, there's hot yoga, a type of yoga based on 26 hatha yoga postures.

Yoga to lose weight

Yoga exercises for weight loss have become a favourite alternative for people struggling with excess weight. Even though it's necessary to take other actions to get rid of those 'extra kilos', these forms of exercise are very useful.

Some prefer yoga exercises to traditional fitness training, since they strengthen muscles and burn fat without the need for extreme routines or supplementary machines. Yoga also enhances emotional well-being and aids to control anxiety – a reason that causes some people to overeat.

Even better, you can practise yoga anywhere, since it involves a series of postures that don't require a lot of space and are very simple to do. If you haven't tried yoga yet, here are some poses to get you started in yoga.

Yoga exercises for weight loss

Before you start exercising, you should always warm up briefly and do some gentle, simple stretches. This'll increase blood flow to the muscles and help prevent injuries during exercise.

• Camel Pose

The camel pose or Ustrasana is a yoga exercise for slimming and toning. It's advised for strengthening the abdominal muscles, as it works this area of the body in a special way.

• Cobra Pose

This pose works the muscles of the abdomen and the lower back. It's mainly recommended to firm the buttocks and reduce fat accumulated in the hips.

• Warrior Pose

The warrior pose increases lung capacity. Through its practice, the abdominal muscles, legs, and buttocks are worked together.

• Pincher Pose

This pose is said to be one of the best yoga asanas for slimming, especially when the aim is to fight abdominal fat. It's very simple to execute, even though it requires some physical stamina and flexibility.

• Bow Pose

To finish this easy series of yoga exercises to lose weight, you can do the classic bow pose. This is a flexible and focused activity that strengthens the buttocks. It also gives your spine more stability and reduces aches and pains.

Yoga for weight loss and good habits

In addition to yoga for weight loss, you must incorporate other exercise sequences and forms to stimulate the muscles in different ways. You also need to combine exercise with habits that reflect a healthy lifestyle.

If you want to lose weight and are not yet exercising, try these yoga postures. Although they'll be a little difficult to master at first, you'll gradually improve your flexibility and endurance.

By managing anxiety and feeling better through yoga, you'll be able to control your food habits and avoid overeating. Therefore, yoga – though it doesn't directly serve as a weight-loss tool – will help you feel better and achieve better balance when it comes to maintaining your perfect weight.

If you want to learn more about how you can lose weight by doing yoga, contact Ohmayoga. A registered Yoga Alliance school and certification provider, we offer online yoga teacher training, yoga certificate courses, and personalised consultation about mental and physical well-being.