Is Yoga a Good Exercise for Weight Loss?

Have you ever wondered if it is possible to shed some extra weight through the practice of yoga? If so, you are not alone. In fact, many individuals picked up a yoga practice for this exact reason. Over 90% of people choose to do yoga to help themselves get in shape.

Yoga and Weight Loss

Yoga offers many mental and physical benefits that aid in weight loss. According to the mental wellness app HeadSpace, cultivating a sense of mindfulness helps you become more aware of your eating habits, which helps you lose weight. Today, we discuss how yoga can help with weight loss.

How Does Yoga Help with Weight Loss?

When it comes to weight loss, yoga can help in three ways:

Gets you to burn calories

There are many different types of yoga you can do to help you burn calories. You can burn anywhere between 180 to 460 calories in a single yoga session.

This number depends on several factors, including which type of yoga class you are taking, the duration of the class, and the class’s intensity level.

If you are looking to burn more calories, you might opt for a more intense yoga class such as power yoga, Vinyasa yoga, or hot yoga.

Your local yoga studio will be able to tell you more about these offerings and which class might be best suited for your weight loss goals.  

Helps you build muscle

Losing weight is not just about the number on the scale, it is also about looking and feeling your best too. There is nothing that fat hates more than muscle as muscle burns more calories than fat.

Yoga can help you increase your muscle mass and helps prevent muscle loss over time. Muscle is also important to bone density, joint health, and metabolism.

Reduces stress and anxiety

When your body is in a state of stress it produces more cortisol, which ramps up fat storage. If you want to lose weight, a practice like yoga can help you relax, tap into your parasympathetic nervous system, and let go of stress, worry, and anxiety. Doing so can help aid in weight loss as your body is no longer in fight or flight mode.

How Often Should You Do Yoga to Lose Weight?

When it comes to determining how many days a week you should do yoga, the number will vary based on how many other activities you do per week as well as your goals.

If you are an active individual, you might want to practice yoga 1-2 times per week. If yoga is the only active practice you have and you are looking to lose weight, you might want to practice 4-5 times per week.

Listen to your body to determine this sweet spot and remember to avoid pushing yourself too hard.

Which Yoga Poses Aid in Weight Loss?

Yoga does not always result in immediate weight loss; however, with the proper mentality and nutrition, you can lose pounds with practice. Here are five yoga poses that can help you lose weight:

• Plank pose
• Downward-facing dog
• Warrior I, II, and/or III
• Chair pose
• Bow pose

How Can Zendara Yoga Help with Your Weight Loss Goals?

At Zendara Yoga, we have seen the multiple benefits of an active yoga practice. We know doing yoga builds muscle, aids in weight loss, cultivates a sense of inner awareness, and offers practitioners a chance to connect deeper with themselves.

If you are looking for private yoga sessions, we offer a variety of yoga classes in the San Diego area, including Encinitas, CA, Del Mar, CA, and Solana Beach, CA. Contact us online today to get started.