Is Yoga good for weight loss? Yoga is known to help and manage many unpleasant aspects of life, such as stress, and can help heal you inside and out. It can calm those who are struggling with mental illnesses as well as physical ailments.
This soothing form of exercise has aided people for over five thousand years and has no plan on stopping anytime soon. Yoga can be practiced in many ways and is an all-around friendly exercise regime, but is Yoga good for weight loss? It’s perfect for all ages, and there are plenty of online classes and plans to fit anyone’s schedule and stamina.
It can also be a great way of warming up or as a cool down for workouts and can be part of meditation. So it’s a well-rounded practice that has an abundance of uses. With this being said, there is a burning question on a lot of people’s minds- Is Yoga good for weight loss? The answer is dependent on a few factors, which we will dive into, but as a simplified answer- yes, it can help you shed a few pounds when done routinely and correctly!
What Are Other Health Benefits of Doing Yoga?
Yoga isn’t just any form of exercise. It’s a stand-alone practice that has numerous health benefits for both your mind and body. When keeping a frequent and consistent yoga regime, you will be shocked at the impact it will have on your entire being. Once you feel these positive changes, they will reflect in your life as well and help ease difficult situations. Some of the known benefits that yoga has been;
- Improved balance
- Flexibility
- Improved circulatory health
- Strength and muscle tone
- Healthier respiration
- Increased energy levels
- Balancing your metabolism
- Improved vitality
- Less likely to sustain injuries
- Improved athletic ability
- Improved mental well-being
- Body awareness
- Detect early physical issued
- Helps manage stress levels
- Mental clarity
- Creates calmness
- Relaxes body and mind
- Helps develop coping skills
As you can see, yoga can help develop and improve many vital attributes, which can create important coping mechanisms and skills. Yoga is a great activity to add to your daily life to keep both your mental and physical state healthy. As it is focused on the body’s ability to heal and maintain itself, the more it is incorporated, the higher the reward will be on your overall well-being.
What Are the Different Types of Yoga?
Yoga comes in many fifteenth kinds of firms, and different types can suit all walks of life. It is beginner free and can also be challenging, depending on which type you choose to practice.
Over the years, many enthusiasts and instructors have created their unique styles of yoga which has broadened the already large variety that’s been practiced for thousands of years. These new hip styles are based on the important fundamentals of traditional yoga as they are what ultimately makes it different from other forms of exercise. We are going to explore both the standard and modified versions of this special anaerobic exercise.
Ashtanga Yoga
This form of yoga consists of eight pillars. This means that Ashtanga yoga expresses all eight of the aspects yoga focuses on, which are: morals, self-discipline, posture, breath control, sense withdrawal, concentration, meditation, and being one with oneself. It was created in the 20th century and is said to be influenced by the exercises that Indian wrestlers and gymnasts use. Ashtanga gave way to many modern versions of yoga and is fast-paced with challenging poses.
Hatha Yoga
Hatha Yoga involves physical postures and breathing and is the common style that comes to mind when hearing the word yoga. The transition between poses is done much slower than in other forms, as the holds for these poses are also longer. Hatha is one of the oldest forms of yoga and has been practiced for many years.
Iyengar Yoga
This type of yoga uses objects such as chairs, blocks, and straps to help align posture and poses. It is seen differently from other styles of yoga as it focuses on using props, precision, and sequence. These props are to help those who are starting to perform the poses accurately, as well as the elderly or those who struggle. This is useful as it teaches proper alignment without strain or injury.
Yin Yoga
Yin yoga is similar to Hatha as it is slow-paced. Unlike the more vigorous styles, Yin Yoga focuses more on your deep tissue ligaments. The poses are held for longer periods and give you the time to reflect inwards. In Yin yoga, you are taught to breathe through any discomfort as you stretch barely used muscles. It is thought that this form of yoga allows energy to flow better through the body and gets rid of any blockages.
Hot Yoga
Hot yoga is when a room is heated between 80°F and 100°F, and yoga poses are practiced in this humidity and heat. This is beneficial as it warms up the muscles, helps burn more calories, and gives your body a cardiovascular boost.
How Can Yoga Help You Lose Weight?
Practicing yoga can provide you with peace of mind and helps you handle stress better. With this being said, being more mentally adjusted can decrease the chances of comfort eating. It also helps with mindfulness meaning you will be more in tune with your body which will make it easier to know when you are full.
Becoming more aware of yourself is greatly practiced during yoga, and the fact that yoga should be done on a full stomach will also encourage you to fuel your body with healthier options. Yoga is known for being calm and less intense than other exercises, but some styles can be much more physical than others. But is Yoga good for weight loss? These faster-paced and more muscle-focused forms of yoga are beneficial for weight loss as they get your body moving and heart pumping and target all kinds of ligaments and muscles. Yoga also helps with your metabolism, which will ultimately help with both calorie burning as well as eating patterns. It is also common for yoga to tone your body.
The Best Types of Yoga and Poses for Weight Loss
With there being so many different styles of yoga out there, it can seem a little deterring to know which ones will be the right fit for you. If you are looking to lose weight, then choosing a style that is more upbeat and vigorous will help you burn more calories as opposed to styles such as Yin and Hatha yoga which focus more on slow movements. Looking through different programs and plans, you may see some complicated poses which can make you feel nervous, but the good news is that many poses have easier alternatives. If it is your first time trying out yoga, then it is recommended to find a beginner’s guide that will help you understand and build up to the more complex poses. Here are the best yoga styles to help you burn calories and lose weight;
- Vinyasa yoga
- Ashtanga yoga
- Bikram yoga
- Hot yoga
- Power yoga
- Hot power yoga
If you aren’t able to fully commit to a certain style, then there are poses you can practice that come from each style. These poses or asanas focus on calorie burning, stretching, and movement;
- Halasana
- Surya Namaskar
- Virabhadrasana
- Dhanurasana
- Purvottanasana
- Bhujangasana
Is Yoga good for weight loss?- Yes, but be sure to include a healthy, balanced lifestyle along with practicing Yoga if your goal is to lose weight. With many different styles, there is sure to be one that fits into your lifestyle.
