Yoga and Your Health. Yoga Proven to Be Effective for Weight Loss & Management


BikingAre you always on the lookout for new ways to improve your health? Are you fearful of gaining weight, or wanting to shed that muffin top? Well, you might want to grab a yoga mat and enroll in a class, as new research has just shown that weight loss is now among the many recognized health benefits of yoga. Yes, you read right, experts have shown a positive link between yoga and weight loss and management.

 

Battling middle age spread can be a case of mind over matter, according to a study fresh out of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. In addition, those who hit the yoga mat on a regular basis are much less likely to be overweight. Researchers concluded that it is the mind-body connection that occurs with yoga that is so crucial for weight reduction, weight management, and prevention of the middle age muffin top. (This study was published in Journal of the American Dietetic Association, August 2009.)

 

To add further weight to their study, these researchers compiled their recent data with that collected from their 2005 study, also done through the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. This prior study followed the weight patterns of over 15,000 people aged between 45 and 55. The results showed that those who participated in yoga at least once weekly for a minimum or 30 minutes managed to drop 4 pounds over 4 years. Whereas, those who didn't unroll the yoga mat gained an additional 14 pounds. (Other relevant factors pertinent to weight changes such as dieting and extra workout activities were given consideration in the study.)

 

The reason? Yoga participants become more tuned in to their minds and become less likely to emotionally over-eat, or to munch through their meals mindlessly. The end result? A person who listens to their body, and eats when they are hungry, as opposed to eating when bored, stressed or depressed. This usually results in smaller portions long term, better eating habits, less calorie consumption, and a smaller waistline.

 

Best Forms of Yoga for Weight Loss

There are many styles of yoga to select from, and all of them promote mind-body unions. However, the two styles of yoga that are best suited for faster weight loss are Ashtanga yoga and Bikram yoga (sometimes called "Hot yoga").

  • Ashtanga yoga involves performing yoga poses including all the major muscle groups of the body while concentrating on breathing patterns.
  • Bikram yoga is performed in surroundings heated up to 100º. The heat of the room warms the muscles fast, allowing for better stretches and long term flexibility. Additionally, all that heat means plenty of sweating, which is great for ridding the body of nasty toxins. Bikram yoga uses traditional yoga stretches and movements at quite a fast pace, keeping the heart rate elevated, and fat burning at an optimal level.

Other Health Benefits of Yoga Include:

  • Lowering blood pressure. The calming effects of yoga reduce stress levels, which in turn reduces your blood pressure.
  • Increasing flexibility, muscle tone, and muscle strength. Yoga enhances the appearance of the length of long muscles, giving yoga attendees a visually slender appearance of the arms and legs.
  • Improving insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is part of a syndrome of diseases which can significantly increase the risk of suffering from heart disease.
  • Strengthening the core muscles. The core muscles are important for maintaining good posture, and maintaining a strong lower back. Additionally, strong core muscles will keep those tummy muscles pulled in, giving a more taut appearance.
  • Improving mental health. Yoga can be a great natural alternative for those suffering from mild forms of depression and anxiety.
  • Yoga can assist with those attempting to give up bad habits such as smoking. Improving the mind-body connection can make it a lot easier to control, manage, and break bad habits.
  • Suitable for all ages and fitness, from pediatrics to geriatrics. Yoga is a low impact workout, which means that those who may not be in the greatest shape can still participate.

Conclusion

Unrolling the yoga mat once a week in exchange for being 19 pounds lighter could be a win-win situation. Yoga can be the ideal workout for those seeking a natural way to prevent middle age weight gain, or to shed a few pounds, along with improving their emotional and physical health.

 

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