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Most people prefer to do yoga for weight loss. Yoga is one of the oldest forms of exercise and has been around for thousands of years. There are countless advantages of yoga including physical, mental, and spiritual development that allows one to improve their body as well as their mind.
Yoga is also used by people to lose weight, especially specific forms of yoga that are more active. The calmness the practice provides can enable one to find peace while also losing weight. Numerous medical experts believe that yoga can be an effective way to lose weight.
The Importance Of Mindfulness
Yoga focuses on the mind just as much as it focuses on the body. The calming mental and spiritual aspects of yoga teach an individual to develop mindfulness and increase their awareness. This mindfulness can enable a person to better understand how the food they consume affects their mind and body while also allowing them to be able to resist unhealthy foods easily.
Mindfulness is also beneficial as it helps to curb impulsive cravings or binge eating. Yoga is never done on a full stomach, so it also motivates people to make better and healthier choices before they start their workout. It is possible that you might find yourself preferring healthier, fresher and unprocessed foods. While this does not directly contribute to weight loss, the healthier choices you make can pay dividends down the line as you train your body to consume less food and to follow a healthy diet.
Burn Calories with Yoga
There are many forms and variations of yoga. The exercise is not traditionally aerobic but specific types of yoga that are more active and physical such as ashtanga, vinyasa, and power yoga. Studios that offer “hot yoga” classes often follow these forms of yoga which keep you moving constantly, allowing you to burn more calories.
Additionally, yoga also offers various other benefits. It can help you to tone your muscles and improve your metabolism and help you shed weight. Despite yoga not being a highly physical activity, people can lose weight by following the practice. It is especially useful for overweight individuals who have difficulty with moving around due to their weight.
How Often Should Yoga be Practiced to Lose Weight?
Just like other workout routines, yoga needs to be practiced frequently if your goal is to reduce your weight. Active yoga sessions should be followed at least 3-5 times a week with the workout lasting more than one hour.
Other, more passive forms of yoga can be practiced during the rest of the days. Take one day off in the week to rest and heal your body. Yoga can be combined with other activities such as walking, cycling, or swimming for more efficient results.
Does it Really Help to Lose Weight?
While it might not be as effective as some other methods, yoga can certainly help people to lose weight. It is extremely important to commit to the task and properly follow the regiment. Small changes that are made over time to your diet and lifestyle can help in achieving better results.
With time, you might find yourself preferring healthy food choices. While results cannot be guaranteed, it is almost certain that properly following the practice will yield results and the results might go beyond losing weight and could apply to the lifestyle of the individual. For further information regarding weight loss, check our blog on how to lose weight.