by Gemma Delaney

An inviting image of a serene yoga mat laid out on a warm-toned hardwood floor, with the glow of soft morning sunlight streaming in, hinting at the journey of mindful health and fitness that awaits.

Embarking on your healthy weight loss journey might have you amping up your exercise regimen and re-evaluating your calorie intake, but have you considered the gentle, yet transformative power of yoga? Not only will it enhance your physical strength and flexibility, yoga also aligns your mind and body, thus encouraging a healthier interaction with food and eating.
To start, commence a quiet introspection on the reasons behind your weight gain – a question we often overlook. Sit or lie on your yoga mat, take slow, deep breaths, erase any tense energy from your body and let your mind rest. Spend a good 10 minutes mastering a yogic breathing technique, such as the full yogic breath or alternate nostril breathing, to help you maintain this meditative state. Reflect on your emotional eating triggers – are they stress-induced, thirst mistaken for hunger or a response to isolation and missing social companionship? Such mindful practices help you recognize and cease these unhealthy patterns by allowing you to distinguish between physical hunger and emotional satiation.

Mindful Munching

According to research published in the “Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine,” yogis showcased significantly diminished stress-eating habits, reduced appetites, fewer cravings, and a great leap towards mindful eating. Remember to indulge in rounds of yogic breathing before you begin meal prep or sit down to eat. This retunes deep-rooted eating habits and enables you to address your core needs, reducing the necessity to seek temporary fulfillment in food.

Your Own Brand of Yoga

Choose a style of yoga that resonates with your weight-loss goals and aligns with your personality. Whether it’s an adrenaline-fueled hour of power yoga or a serene, meditative session, yoga can assist you on your weight loss journey. Here are three types to consider:

Astanga – Muscle Sculpting

Astanga helps taper your body by developing lean muscle mass. This powerhouse yoga style is characterized by its continuous flow between postures, known as ‘vinyasas’. Muscle is a calorie-burning champion during and post-workout, making Astanga a beneficial ally to weight loss enthusiasts.

Hot Yoga – Calorie Torching

Hot yoga styles like Bikram are notorious for their high-calorie burn rates, with estimations running between 500 to 1000 calories per 90-minute session. The elevated temperatures encountered in a hot yoga class promote a higher rate of body fat reduction compared to normal-temperature practices.

Restorative – Stress Releasing

Chronic stress leaves its mark on your body, with any excess cortisol being stored as abdominal fat. Restorative yoga encourages deeper relaxation through supported postures which, in turn, lowers cortisol levels and trims your waistline. Studies have shown individuals engaged in restorative yoga losing more subcutaneous fat compared to their non-yoga counterparts.
yoga for weight loss, balanced diet, toned body, mindful eating, yogic breathing, Astanga, muscle sculpting, hot yoga, calorie torching, restorative yoga, stress releasing, cortisol levels, abdominal fat, subcutaneous fat,