Although it is not the practice's main objective, yoga can help you lose those unwanted pounds.
Why Practice
Yoga?
Yoga is not only a physical activity; it is a philosophy of life! After all, the practice connects body, mind, and spirit through postures, breathing techniques, and meditation.
Because it is a self-reflective activity, it can be practiced at home, which makes it ideal for those who have a busy life. This way, it is possible to get home after a stressful day of work or studies and enjoy the relaxing benefits of yoga.
Also, yoga is considered a low-impact activity. Therefore, it can be practiced by people of all ages. It can also treat several physical and psychological conditions, such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, mood disorders, and high blood pressure.
Does Yoga Lose
Weight?
The main goal of yoga is to balance body and spirit through physical and mental exercises. However, this ancient practice can help you healthily lose weight. Yes, it's true! Yoga does lose weight! See how this is possible:
Yoga Promotes
Body Awareness
One of the benefits of yoga is to promote body awareness in its participants. But what does this mean? That in addition to spatial perception, there is also an understanding of how the body works and what foods contribute to its excellent or impaired functioning.
By paying particular attention to food, the body's metabolic functions start to be better executed, favoring calorie burning and, consequently, weight loss. In other words, yoga encourages a complete change in life.
Those who practice it end up opting for a healthier life, which does not go along with unregulated eating, alcoholic beverages consumption, and smoking, for example.
Yoga Detoxifies
the Organism
For those who want to know how yoga can help them lose weight, here's another benefit related to reducing measures: the detoxifying power of yoga.
It acts as a proper detox in the body, releasing toxic substances through postural and breathing techniques.
Some yoga postures improve blood circulation, causing the body cells of its practitioners to be oxygenated and well-nourished. And this, of course, facilitates the process of toxin release, mainly through sweat.
Besides, asanas stimulate the proper functioning of organs such as kidneys and liver, for example.
While the first is part of the excretory system and has the primary function of filtering the blood and eliminating toxins such as uric acid and urea, the second is part of the digestive system and acts to metabolize nutrients.
On the other hand, breathing exercises strengthen the immune system and improve respiratory activity, fighting a series of diseases.
Among them, we can mention respiratory acidosis, a condition in which there is an accumulation of carbon dioxide gas in the body.
Quality Sleep with
Yoga
As a practice that promotes physical and mental relaxation, yoga also improves the quality of sleep of its practitioners. And what does this have to do with weight loss? The answer is straightforward!
When we sleep well, there is a more significant release of leptin, a hormone that regulates the appetite. Besides this, a good night's sleep can reduce cortisol levels and adrenaline in the body, better known as stress hormones.
When unregulated, these hormones increase glucose levels in the blood, besides favoring fat accumulation in the body. But that's not all. Sleeping well also makes you feel more willing to perform your tasks the next day, including physical activities.
Yoga Is an
Effective Remedy Against Anxiety
Furthermore, yoga helps you lose weight by fighting the root of the problem. In other words, it acts against anxiety, a psychological condition that can cause compulsive eating and low self-esteem, which prevent the person from adopting a healthier life pattern.
Yoga Improves Physical
Conditioning
Yoga is composed of a series of exercises that work on balance and posture. Therefore, it improves physical conditioning and promotes flexibility and postural alignment. As a result, you get a leaner, more defined body, free of muscular pain.
Which Type Should I Practice to Lose Weight?
Yoga has different styles, and each practice has its methodology. The exercises with a greater focus on the physical can lead to the loss of up to 500 calories per class. See below the main types of yoga:
Hatha Yoga: Classic yoga combines balance and strength since its technique requires that the postures be maintained for a few minutes. This modality improves concentration, reduces anxiety, helps with sleep quality, and increases muscle tone and flexibility;
Ashtanga Yoga: a modality that works the body in its totality since it connects breathing to movement. It is a challenging modality because its basis is strength, resistance, and flexibility.
Iyengar Yoga: works on the alignment of the postures and is very suitable for those who are beginning the practice.
Hot Yoga: this yoga makes you slimmer! This is because the practice is performed in a heated room, around 40°C. Simultaneously, the heat acts to relax the muscles and joints. It also favors sweat, which helps eliminate toxins from the body.
Yoga Dance: a modality that combines the millennial practice of yoga with various dance rhythms. Because it is an enjoyable and dynamic class, it helps burn calories.