Have you ever seen a yogi who is overweight? There is no such! Yoga is a recognized and generation-tested method for losing weight. In an ancient yogic treatise of the 15th century, it is written that the signs of a successful yogi are: a thin body, persuasive speech, a clear look, a good appetite, a calm mind. Note that a thin body is first on the list of yoga qualities described, but weight loss has never been yoga’s goal in itself.

Beginning yogis and people, in principle, unfamiliar with this teaching, often have doubts about the effectiveness of yoga as a method for losing weight. This is due to the fact that yoga in terms of physical activity, which leads to the burning of calories, is inferior to fitness or aerobics. Indeed, an hour of yoga burns 150 calories, while an hour of walking burns twice that.

The effect of yoga on human weight has been scientifically proven by the National Cancer Institute, which conducted studies on 15,000 volunteers. The results showed that all people who practiced yoga lost extra pounds.

Yoga works differently than standard weight loss systems, as it does not initially aim to lose weight. Yoga gives a much greater effect on the body than simple physical activity. A slim figure is just one of the many positive effects of yoga.

Yogic practices to fight obesity
Postures – Asanas

Regular yoga classes, namely, the performance of asanas, leads to strengthening of the muscles, improvement of posture, stimulates the organs and digestion. The asanas themselves do not heal or burn fat, but they start the internal processes of self-regulation of organs, including metabolism. It is well known that metabolic disorders are the first cause of overweight. Thus, by improving the functioning of all systems and organs of our body, postures-asanas defeat obesity.

Relaxation

The second important point is relaxation. According to leading experts, without relaxation and complete relaxation of all muscles, normal metabolism is impossible. Therefore, sometimes calm and measured yoga classes give a greater effect than exhausting classes in the gym, because, unlike sports, yoga does not deplete the body’s energy reserve.

Yoga relieves stress and anxiety, respectively, a person does not need to compensate for stress with food, in other words, “eat stress”, therefore, by itself the problem of overeating disappears.

Pranayama – breathing techniques

Wrong are those who consider breathing insignificant in the fight against excess weight. Science has confirmed that the abundant saturation of the organs of the body with oxygen improves the metabolic process and has a beneficial effect on the nervous system.

Proper nutrition

Yogic teachings and Ayurveda give clear guidelines as to what can and cannot be eaten. The oldest scriptures on yoga state that the stomach of a yogi should be only half full of food. And also that yoga should not eat animal, fried, bitter, spicy, sour and salty foods. Modern dietology has confirmed that such foods are appetite stimulants and lead to overeating.

In addition, when you start practicing yoga on a regular basis, you will feel that after classes you will not feel hungry for a long time.

From all of the above, it follows that yoga does not just burn calories, they give a complex effect on the body, namely: they normalize digestion and metabolism, relieve psychological dependence on food, offer the right nutrition system, normalize sleep.
If you need not standard yoga, but targeted yoga for weight loss, then you should pay attention to power styles and schools. Power yoga is not suitable for all beginners, as it requires great willpower and good health.

Power yoga styles include Power Yoga, Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, Bikram Yoga and Jivamukti Yoga. They are the most effective in the fight against excess weight.

Classical Hatha Yoga consists of two components Sutha – Relaxation and Sthira – Strength, Stability. Power styles of yoga put more emphasis on the Sthira, leaving less time for relaxation only at the very end of the session. Power styles tone up, and sometimes slightly increase muscle mass and endurance, stimulate the production of fat-burning hormones (testosterone and somatotropin).

As a survey of practicing yogis showed, the first results will not be visible immediately. The first tangible manifestations will become noticeable no earlier than after two or three months of constant hard work.

Yoga gives not only a slim figure, but also health, inner peace and harmony, and such things do not come at once. But the effect of the classes remains with you for a long time. Losing weight from yoga, you will not gain weight again, as is the case after quick ways to lose weight on pills or diets. In addition, you do not have to starve, exhaust yourself physically and mentally, or harm your health with medications.