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| Thursday, September 25, 2008 |
| Yoga for Weight Loss |
Everyone knows that diet and exercise both play a key role in weight loss. You need to burn or “use up” more calories than you take in to lose weight. That is why anyone trying to lose weight needs to analyze and change their diet first and foremost, but they also need to incorporate some kind of cardiovascular exercise on most days such as walking, aerobics, swimming or dancing. I have found something else that can help with weight loss efforts…Yoga. Recently I have been referring more and more of my clients and friends to Yoga class to help them with their weight loss efforts. They usually look at me like I’m crazy and ask how an hour of stretching will help them lose weight. Fortunately, yoga is much more than just stretching.
A basic definition of yoga is: A system of exercises practiced to promote control of the body and mind. While it is true that running and aerobics burn more calories than yoga, yoga can increase your body awareness, which can help with weight loss. Yoga is more than just physical exercise. It incorporates the mind, body and spirit. People who take yoga believe that its all inclusive approach naturally leads to a healthier lifestyle.
There are many different types of yoga and they each have their own benefits, but any yoga class can get you on your way to weight loss. The trick is that yoga can create total well-being. It helps burn calories, boost metabolism and encourages a healthy lifestyle. Of course it’s not a quick fix, but it can provide many benefits that will help in your weight loss and wellness efforts such as, toned muscles, improved self-esteem, increased mental focus, reduced stress and improved balance and flexibility.
In 2005 there was a study done by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center which focused on individuals ages 45-55. The study found that those who engaged in yoga regularly didn’t gain as much weight as others of the same age in their test group. This study may not have proven that yoga can lead to weight loss, but it does make you think that there must be a connection.
From speaking with yoga instructors and long time students of yoga, I’ve discovered that they believe yoga makes them more focused on being healthy on the inside and letting the outside follow. The connection they make with their body, mind and spirit makes them want to continue to do what is best for their overall well-being. This carries over into food choices, other exercise and behavior modification. I know I haven’t seen many overweight yogis in all my years in the fitness industry, so they must be doing something right.
If you want to try yoga but are a beginner, look for a beginner class at a gym or studio near you or get a beginner yoga DVD (Gaiam & Amazon have some). Some yoga classes can be very difficult and it’s better to work your way up to them then to be discouraged if you can’t do it on the first try. I hope you will give yoga a try. I love it and my clients and friends are beginning to love it too.
- Jennifer
Related Articles:
Sensei Talks: Mix It Up With Yoga & Pilates
Labels: Fitness, Jennifer, Mind-Body Connection
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posted by The Sensei Team @ Thursday, September 25, 2008   |
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