Yoga Promotes Weight Loss
Monday, November 30, 2009 at 5:00AMIt's not the poses or the stretching that works - instead, the mindfulness associated with yoga seems to promote weight loss and prevent gains. Four years ago, researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle found that regular yoga practice may help prevent middle-aged spread in 
normal weight people and spur losses in the overweight. Now the same team has found that mindfulness, not just physical activity, makes the difference. Mindful eating means knowing why you eat and stopping when you're full (as opposed to eating when you're not hungry, when you're stressed and in response to cues such as advertising). The new study included more than 300 individuals from local yoga studios and other venues who reported on their activities, in and out of yoga class. All the participants filled out a Mindful Eating Questionnaire. Those with the highest mindfulness scores had lower BMIs (body mass index) than those with lower scores. The study was published in the August, 2009, issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.
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Reader Comments (8)
I am living proof that yoga promotes weight loss! Over the last year, I've lost more than 25 lbs. I have been doing yoga almost every day and do notice that I am much more mindful of what I eat, and don't eat out of boredom. I take time to assess whether I am really hungry or if it's thirst that could be quenched by a glass of water. Many times I find I have to remind myself to eat because I'm just not thinking about food all of the time anymore. I quickly learned that yoga agrees with me well, and have become certified to teach as well. Yoga promotes all kinds of wellness! I love it!
Thanks for sharing it.............With us.
I think what you're doing is great. I to have struggled with weight loss all of my life. I have recently lossed 83lbs. however it is a great struggle trying to keepthe weight off. It is so hard trying to stay motivated with the workouts and trying to eat the proper sizes meals. Can you please give me a few words of encourgements so that I don't fall off the wagon. Thank you so much for your story.
You are right mindfulness plays a big role. Though there some yoga postures which really help to reduce the weight like Pashchimottasana, Halasana, Matsyendrasana. Surya Namaskars (Sun Salutations) helps a great way if done 6-12 a day. Lung capacity increases with Pranayamas (Breathing Exercises) which helps more intake of oxygen and burning of fats.
P.S. make sure you choose some other poses too no just above poses as your daily routine should include postures that works out on whole body. Stretch your body in all directions (forward, backward, side ways, twisting).
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Namaste,
Raj (Burnaby (Vancouver BC) based Yoga Instructor)
http://www.raj.yogapoint.ca
Yoga may help weight loss, but burning fat is best done with higher intensity. 30 mins of jogging every morning is the best way to burn fat.
A 20 minute light walk 3 days a week isn't going to cut it.
Fascinating - have just been experiencing this myself. I'm using a daily 30-minute practice that combines breathing, yoga, meditation and journaling around an intention (that I chose for its meaningrulness for me) involving improved health/weight loss. I've been amazed at how much focusing on that daily intention first thing each morning impacts my decisions all day long and I've been losing weight without that usual feeling of lack or deprivation. I'm using the 30 Days to Grace CD to guide my practice (http://www.dianesieg.com/30daystograce.html) - I like having things structured - but I can see how yoga's mindfulness (and enhanced body awareness) would help in general, whatever your specific practice.
I have been using hot yoga for fitness- 3 x 90 min sessions a week and have lost a considerable amount of weight which at 63 is not easy! More importantly I have gained a lot of flexibility, "cured" a dodgy knee which I thought I would have for life and lost inches from my waist and hips and generally got some shape back. All this and I have only been doing it for 5 months. Sometimes I really dont feel like doing it but I do it anyway and feel energised and fabulous afterwards. I would recommend it to anyone - however old, stiff or heavy.
That makes complete sense! It's so important to keep your head in the game when trying to lose weight. I've been successful using the free weight loss programs from http://www.fitclick.com. Good luck everyone!