| Yoga has become a prominent part of many popular | | | | the abdominal area. |
| workout routines. It's commonly touted as a cure for | | | | Learn to relax and breathe during yoga, and you will |
| everything from stiff joints to breathing problems. But | | | | eventually learn to incorporate those skills into the rest |
| will yoga help you lose weight? | | | | of your life. |
| Sitting on a mat and meditating seems counter-intuitive | | | | 4. Power yoga improves strength and flexibility. |
| to someone who wants to build strength and shed | | | | Power yoga is a westernized version of vinyasa yoga |
| pounds. | | | | that combines sun salutations with stretching, strength |
| But yoga has been given a thoroughly modern | | | | training, and intense bursts of cardio. |
| makeover. Now you can work up a sweat while you | | | | This produces a stronger heart and more lean muscle |
| learn to get your body and mind in synch. | | | | mass. Since muscle burns more calories than fat, |
| Here are some of the ways yoga can help you lose | | | | power yoga can help you burn more calories even at |
| weight and increase your sense of wellbeing. | | | | rest. That's a great way to speed up your weight loss. |
| 1. Vinyasa yoga burns calories. | | | | 5. Hot yoga provides quick, temporary weight loss. |
| Also known as "flow yoga" or "ashtanga yoga", | | | | Hot yoga really makes you sweat. It's like regular |
| vinyasa yoga is a physically active form of yoga that | | | | vinyasa yoga, but it takes place in a sauna or other hot |
| increases the heart rate and sends the body into | | | | surroundings. |
| fat-burning mode. | | | | As you can guess, the quick weight loss comes from |
| Vinyasa yoga sends the practitioner through a series | | | | shedding water weight. |
| of poses known as sun salutations. | | | | While this is not a good long-term strategy, it can give |
| These poses are held for several breaths, and then | | | | you a good workout and help you look more svelte |
| the practitioner flows into the next pose in the series. | | | | before a special occasion. Just be prepared to regain |
| Vinyasa yoga is frequently combined with other cardio | | | | those few pounds once you get rehydrated. |
| exercises, like walking, for a balanced weight loss | | | | 6. Yoga makes you mindful. |
| routine. | | | | Perhaps one of the most valuable lessons yoga |
| 2. Yoga puts you in touch with your body. | | | | teaches us is the lesson of mindfulness. Yoga |
| When you practice yoga, you learn to clear your mind | | | | practitioners learn how to be "in the moment", focusing |
| of the distractions that prevent you from really listening | | | | on their breathing and their posture rather than |
| to your body. By getting back in touch with your needs, | | | | worrying about work, family, or other stressors. |
| you can learn to differentiate between hunger and | | | | You can apply this mindfulness to your weight loss |
| cravings. | | | | plan as well. Learn to focus on your food and your |
| The more you learn about your body and its amazing | | | | enjoyment rather than choking down your meals while |
| abilities, the more you will want to take care of it by | | | | watching TV. |
| avoiding junk food and radical diets. | | | | By taking your time and keeping your mind on your |
| 3. Yoga reduces stress. | | | | meal, you will tend to eat less and be more satisfied. |
| Yoga is a real stress-buster. By practicing mindful | | | | Yoga can benefit your weight loss plan in many ways. |
| breathing and quiet meditation, you can bring your mind | | | | You can add yoga to your routine by finding a class |
| and body to a peaceful state. This decreases anxiety | | | | near you, or renting a yoga DVD from your public |
| and can even reduce your body's production of the | | | | library. |
| stress hormone cortisol. | | | | Remember: if one style of yoga doesn't suit your |
| Cortisol sends our bodies into self-preservation mode, | | | | needs, there are many more to try. |
| which translates to increased fat storage, especially in | | | | |