Introduction
Yoga has long been known for its calming and restorative effects, but did you know that it can also help you lose weight? According to recent scientific studies, yoga can be an effective tool for weight loss. In this article, we’ll explore how yoga can help you shed those extra pounds and provide tips on how to get the most out of your practice. So if you’re looking for a way to get in shape and stay healthy, read on to find out how yoga can help you reach your weight loss goals.
Turns Out, Yoga Can Help You Lose Weight, Says Science
If you’ve been looking for a way to lose weight without having to hit the gym, you may want to consider yoga. According to a recent study, yoga can be an effective way to shed those extra pounds.
The study, which was published in the journal Obesity, found that people who practiced yoga for at least 30 minutes a day for 12 weeks lost an average of 4.4 pounds. That’s compared to the control group, which lost an average of 1.3 pounds.
The researchers believe that yoga can be an effective weight-loss tool because it combines physical activity with mindfulness. This combination can help people become more aware of their eating habits and make healthier choices.
The study also found that yoga can help reduce stress levels, which can lead to overeating. Stress can also lead to an increase in cortisol, a hormone that can cause weight gain.
So if you’re looking for a way to lose weight without having to hit the gym, yoga may be the answer. Just make sure to practice regularly and combine it with a healthy diet for the best results.
That moment when you take a seat on your mat, inhale deeply, and center into awareness… if you’ve been curious about whether your yoga practice can help you lose weight and transform your body, some experts say it truly can. There’s just one important key to understanding how it works—but if you do, science suggests this can be a powerful means of trimming down for good.
Keep reading to learn how yoga can support your weight loss goals, and sign up for the Eat This, Not That! newsletter for wellness news delivered daily.
We’ll start by saying that more intensive modalities of yoga, like power yoga and Bikram, might heighten your weight-loss potential from yoga just through the calorie burning that comes from aggressive movement, muscle engagement, and temporarily depleting the body of water (and afterward, you’ve got to remember to drink up!).
Instead, we’re talking about milder versions of yoga, like vinyasa or Hatha, that engage the whole body, but also aim to amplify the connection between body, mind, and spirit. Research has suggested these arguably gentler yoga practices can be effective means of supporting weight loss…
RELATED: Eating Habits for Weight Loss That Experts Say Actually Work
Several studies have found associations between yoga and weight loss. Recently, Harvard Medical School‘s blog cited a study that found people who practiced yoga for 30 minutes once a week over four years gained less weight in middle adulthood than some of their peers.
The blog adds that those who were overweight and practiced yoga actually saw their weight decrease.
Dina Ivas, a formerly Brooklyn-based certified yoga teacher who’s been instructing internationally during the pandemic, says she “absolutely” agrees that practicing yoga can make an impact on weight loss. “Ever since I began a regular yoga practice,” Ivas tells Eat This, Not That!, “I became way more aware of habits like eating too fast, and started to truly enjoy slowing down and savoring a meal.”
Los Angeles-based, board-certified holistic nutritionist Katie Bressack lends further insight to us on how this works. “A yoga practice helps you create a mind-body connection [because] the breath allows you to slow down and connect with the movement.” Bressack says this “transfers to other areas of your life to more mindful eating, reduction in stress, and improved sleep—which all help support weight loss.”
RELATED: This Is the Best Workout for Better Sleep, New Study Finds
For more education on healthy, balanced living, keep reading: