Yoga is credited with a multitude of health benefits: enhanced flexibility, muscle toning, stress reduction and improving overall physical and mental health. Yet does it promote weight loss? According to recent studies, if you choose a form of yoga that raises your heart rate enough to burn calories and practice it a few times a week, it can be an ally in meeting your weight loss objectives. Yoga should not, however, be its sole component.
Facts
Simply put, healthy weight loss is achieved when you burn more calories than you eat. According to the Weight-control Information Network, "if you want to lose weight, you may need to do more than 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week." Combining a few higher-intensity yoga sessions as part of your cardio plan along with running, walking, dancing or swimming for example, would be a beneficial activity in achieving your weight loss goals.
Considerations
Although yoga can be an addition to your weight loss plans, if you are new to the practice or haven't worked out in a while, starting slowly until you know how your body reacts will eliminate chances of injury, which could bring to a halt your weight loss objectives. Yoga, like all forms of physical activity, needs to be approached cautiously. Start with a few well rounded introductory classes and build up your ability from there.
Types
Choose your yoga class to meet your goal as there are specific styles that will bring your heart rate up. Ashtanga, Flow yoga, Power yoga and Bikram/hot yoga, which is performed in a heated room, combine flowing postures with rhythmic breathing that triggers more of the calorie burn necessary for weight loss.
Satellite Yoga Activities
If you want to add more of a vibe to your weekly exercise routine, see what your yoga school's curriculum for dance classes or health oriented group activities are. A number of schools are developing classes to expand yoga's horizons. Not only can you find a supportive network conducive to your goals, but you can simultaneously indulge in some healthy activities.
Benefits
Yoga has also been shown to bring about an awareness and mindfulness to your activities that will greatly enhance your perception of your body's needs as you transform into your new healthy self. When choosing to lose weight, you should focus on why you are opting for a healthier lifestyle and how you initially lost track. Beyond the physical benefits that come with your yoga practice, it can be key in keeping you on track and motivated.
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