Does yoga help you lose weight?

Yoga is known for many great health benefits including stress reduction, flexibility, improvement of energy, reduction of joint pain, and improvement of posture.  The question many people are asking is if yoga actually aids in weight loss.  We explore this as well as the additional benefits of yoga.

Can you lose fat while doing Yoga?

The overall answer is Yes! but there are some factors that may vary how much weight or fat you can lose.  First and foremost there are many different factors that affect weight loss and fat reduction.  Age, gender, weight, and overall health are all factors.  The type of yoga practiced also has an effect on fat loss.  Vinyasa yoga (flow yoga), focuses on increasing flexibility through a series of fast paced yoga poses.  You flow from one to the other.  This practice raises the heart rate as well as requires the use of your muscles giving it a strengthening component.  Ashtanga yoga is a variation of Vinyasa yoga, but includes small little movements that ramp up strength training, especially the core.  This type of yoga is known to be very difficult, but helps breakdown fat and burn calories.  Bikram yoga (hot yoga) is another popular form of yoga that helps you burn extra calories leading to fat loss.  Bikram yoga is practiced in a room that is heated to 105º.  The hot room and excess sweating helps detoxify the body and burn calories.  Make sure you drink plenty of water before you practice!

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Does yoga burn calories?

Adding in any additional physical activity such as yoga will definitely burn calories.  The amount of calories we take in, compared to what we expend results in weight loss.  Yoga most definitely does burn calories, but yet again it depends on the yoga practice and the person.  Restorative yoga tends to be on the lower end of calorie burning, but can still be helpful towards your fitness goals!  Just the reduction in stress and increase in mobility will greatly improve your body’s function.

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Should you do yoga in the morning or night?

Some yogis will tell you the best time to do yoga is on an empty stomach in the early morning hours, but the true answer lies, wherever and whenever you can fit it in.  Some people like to start their day off with their yoga practice to get them centered and relaxed and feeling amazing before they start their day.  Practicing in the morning is known to kickstart metabolism, improve digestion and have calming effects that last throughout the day.  Others prefer to practice yoga after work to reduce stress and refocus their mind.  Yoga is also known to help you sleep better which is another benefit to practicing at night.  Pick the time of day that is best for you and where you feel you get the most benefit.

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Is 20 minutes of yoga a day enough to lose weight?

If 20 minutes is all you have, then 20 minutes is great!  When looking at losing weight, we have to remember that it is an equation of calories in versus calories expended.  Depending on the type of yoga and body size, 20 minutes of yoga can easily burn 150 calories.  That is 150 calories more than not doing yoga at all.  20 minutes of yoga will get your heart pumping, circulation going, and reduce your stress.  Stress reduction is an important factor in weight loss.  Cortisol, the stress hormone, is known to impede weight loss.   Studies have shown improvements in weight loss, mobility, cardiovascular health and stabilization of blood sugar with just 20 minutes of yoga a day.  For greater results, practicing 60-90 minutes can be ideal.  Besides, yoga feels amazing and that feeling lasts for hours after you’re done, so who wouldn’t want to do more!

Looking to practice yoga in your home?  The Lululemon Yoga Kit includes the essentials.  The yoga mat is perfect for any type of yoga practice including hot yoga!  The lift and lengthen block will help assist you through difficult poses.  Finally, the small microfiber yoga towel will dry you off!

Is yoga enough to stay fit?

Yoga can be enough to stay fit, but again it depends on your practice and time dedication.  While certain types of yoga like Vinyasa and Bikram can ramp up the heart rate, improve strength and flexibility, it may not be as efficient as strength training and cardiovascular exercise.  With that said, yoga is an important pillar in overall health.  Mobility and flexibility is a key component to health.  Why not try yoga a few times a week within your overall fitness program.  A good combination and balance of strength training, cardiovascular exercise and mobility work (yoga) will lead to the greatest results.

Is yoga better than gym?

The answer is not so simple.  While yoga has many amazing health benefits and can be key in your weightloss and fitness goals, it offers something different than strength training and cardiovascular training.  Strength training will really develop the muscles and improve overall strength.  Yoga also does this on a smaller level.  Yoga uses bodyweight movements and holds to improve muscle strength.  Yoga also improves cardiovascular function, but not in the same way running, cycling or stair-stepping does.  The practice of yoga relaxes the blood vessels and focus is put on proper deep breathing techniques.  This helps lower blood pressure and relax the body which in turn will lead to better cardiovascular performance. Don’t get it wrong, you will find your heart rate skyrocketing (in a good way) while you move your way through certain flows and even through holding difficult poses.

One thing all forms of yoga is amazing at is increasing flexibility.  Overall fitness is measured not only on strength and cardiovascular performance, but mobility as well.  Attending a yoga studio where the instructor can correct your movements and poses can also teach you the proper positions your body should be in when you perform other activities.  It increases muscle and body awareness which can translate into better strength training.  No matter what your overall fitness goal is, yoga is a great thing to include in your fitness routine.

Whether you are practicing yoga at home or at the studio the perfect mat is a necessity.  The Sweaty Betty Super Grip Yoga Mat is free of any harmful substance and fully biodegradable.  The latex material provides an unrivaled grip to ensure a safe practice.