Yoga for Weight Loss

The ancient practice of yoga has become one of the most popular forms of personal improvement in the United States. Books, videos, celebrities, and seemingly countless gurus promote this once esoteric Eastern practice as an essential component to a healthy lifestyle. Practitioners claim it will help prevent or cure almost any physical, emotional, or psychological affliction.

But will it help you lose weight?

The answer seems to be both yes and no.

For one thing, there has been little formal scientific or medical research done on the relationship between yoga and weight loss, so the evidence is largely anecdotal. Also, despite its general popularity, the practice is still regarded with suspicion or scorn by many. To some, it’s seen as a New Age fad at best and a spiritual menace at worst. However, despite the hype and the controversy, there are some fairly reliable indications that it can help with weight loss.

Most yoga practices aren’t strenuous enough to provide the calorie burn needed to be part of a serious weight loss program. For example, someone who weighs 150 pounds will burn about 150 calories doing an hour of yoga. In the same amount of time, the person would burn over 300 calories walking steadily at 3 mph.

But the real point of yoga is not so much to get a physical workout as it is to gain physical awareness and to become more in touch with what is happening to your body at any given moment. Yoga practitioners seek mindfulness or an awareness of what is happening internally. A popular expression used in Yoga is “the mind/body connection.” By developing this connection, a person can become more aware of what they eat, and the effect it is having on their body. Since many tend to overeat, or eat when really don’t need to, the increased awareness gained by the practice of yoga may help a dieter control their food intake. This obviously will benefit a weight loss program.

There are, however, some types of yoga that will burn serious calories. Ashtanga Yoga is a very vigorous form of yoga practice. It requires dedication and training, and anyone wanting to learn it should take classes. However, once the poses are learned, it is convenient to do at home. “Power Yoga” is an recent innovation derived from Ashtanga, and basically combines traditional yoga with an aerobic style cardiovascular workout. There is another modern style of yoga known as Bikram Yoga or “Hot Yoga.” The descriptive name is very apt, because the program is done in a room with a temperature of 95-100 degrees. This style of yoga needs to be learned from a certified instructor.

Ultimately, any physical activity can help with weight loss. While the practice of yoga may not be for everyone, those who do make it part of their lifestyle may benefit not only from the physical exertion, but from the effect it has on their emotional and mental outlook, improving their overall health.