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Yoga comes with many health benefits, from strengthening your muscles to improving your sleep. But does it really help with weight loss? The answer is yes, but not in the way you might think. Want to learn more? Read on to discover the fascinating relationship between yoga and weight loss.
Yoga As An Exercise
First, let’s get one thing straight – yoga is not a high-intensity cardio workout. It’s not going to burn as many calories as running or cycling. However, that doesn’t mean it can’t help with weight loss. According to an article written by Women’s Health, yoga can be beneficial for weight loss when combined with behavioural interventions such as a healthy diet.
Different types of yoga also have varying levels of intensity. For example, power yoga or vinyasa flow can provide a more vigorous workout compared to a gentle hatha yoga class. It all depends on your individual goals and preferences.
How Can Yoga Help With Weight Loss?
There are 5 main ways that yoga can aid in weight loss:
- Yoga Helps To Manage Stress
- Yoga Helps With Mindful Eating
- Yoga Helps Build Muscle
- Yoga Improves Digestion
- Yoga Promotes Better Sleep
Yoga Helps To Manage Stress
Stress is not only bad for your mental health, it can also lead to weight gain. When we’re stressed, our body releases a hormone called cortisol, which can cause an increase in appetite and make us crave unhealthy foods. This is where yoga comes in – it’s known for its calming effect on the mind and body, which helps to reduce stress levels.
Yoga Helps With Mindful Eating
Have you ever found yourself mindlessly snacking in front of the TV or reaching for a bag of chips when feeling bored? This is where mindful eating can make a difference. Yoga teaches us to be present and aware of our body and mind, including our cravings and hunger cues.
Yoga Helps Build Muscle
While yoga may not have the same calorie-burning effect as other high-intensity workouts, it does help build lean muscle mass. This is important for weight loss because muscle tissue burns more calories than fat tissue, even when at rest. Plus, building muscle can also help give your body a more toned and defined appearance.
Yoga Improves Digestion
Our digestive systems are quite complex, and many factors can influence how well they function. Yoga has been shown to improve digestion by increasing blood flow to the digestive organs and stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system, which controls our body’s rest-and-digest response. This can lead to better absorption of nutrients and elimination of waste, ultimately promoting a healthier gut.
Yoga Promotes Better Sleep
Getting enough quality sleep is crucial for weight loss. When we’re sleep-deprived, our bodies produce more ghrelin (the hormone that stimulates appetite) and less leptin (the hormone that suppresses appetite). This can lead to overeating and weight gain.
Start With Yoga Today!
Start with your yoga workout today and see how it can help you on your weight loss journey. Remember that you must gradually increase your flexibility and strength. Make adjustments as needed, choose a type of yoga that meets your needs, and modify poses that you can’t fully accomplish when you first start. While there are many 10-22 minute beginner tutorials available on platforms such as YouTube, consider enrolling in a beginner’s class to get started.
