| Madonna does it. And so does Jennifer Aniston. | | | | you to support the weight of your own body in new |
| Gwyneth Paltrow is a huge fan too. But can yoga, a | | | | ways, including balancing on one leg or supporting |
| mind-body exercise, help you get rid of unwanted | | | | yourself with your arms. Moving slowly in and out of |
| pounds? Yoga devotees say that the most important | | | | poses will increase your strength and help shape long, |
| benefit of yoga is calming the mind. But researchers | | | | lean muscles. |
| prove that when we calm our mind, we become less | | | | Better Breathing: Deep breathing is a vital element of |
| stressed, and stress can stimulate weight gain. So the | | | | yoga. The breathing exercises, called Pranayama, |
| less stress we have, the less likely we are to gain | | | | teach how to better use our lungs, which benefit the |
| weight. Sounds simple? | | | | entire body. Yogic breathing energizes and cleanses |
| Yoga can be an excellent compliment to your existing | | | | the body, calms and relaxes the mind, and serves as a |
| exercise regime and can help you get in touch with | | | | perfect warm-up for practicing yoga poses. |
| your body the way nothing else can. Experts agree | | | | So what kind of yoga will help you lose weight? |
| that many of us overeat because we are upset, | | | | Vinyasa, the most popular of yoga practices, can be |
| angry or sad; and we end up reaching for that piece | | | | found at many local gyms and studios. Power Yoga |
| of cake to make ourselves feel better. Yoga helps our | | | | provides a vigorous cardio workout. Both Vinyasa and |
| bodies become cleaner and purer and we crave | | | | Power Yoga will leave you sweat-drenched, but |
| better foods, like vegetables, fruit, lean protein and | | | | strong and fulfilled. Ashtanga yoga is another very |
| healthy grains. Yoga can change the relationship to | | | | vigorous style with a few distinct advantages for |
| food and eating by changing our relationship with | | | | those who want to lose weight. It's an early morning |
| ourselves. And in the process, it will make your body | | | | yoga that can rev up your metabolism first thing in the |
| more flexible and strong. | | | | morning and give you the edge for the day. |
| Flexibility: Stretching large muscles to perform yoga | | | | But the most important thing to keep in mind if you are |
| poses can help you become more flexible in your | | | | considering yoga is that only by making it routine can it |
| hamstrings, back, shoulders, and hips. | | | | bring you the results and lean your body you desire. |
| Strength and Muscle Tone: Many yoga poses require | | | | |