Yoga for weight loss?

[shematrix]

I have recently started doing yoga. I feel great, mentally and physically after I do a session. My question is: has anyone actually lost weight doing yoga though? I don't feel like I'm doing enough with the yoga to lose any weight. I guess just feeling great after doing my tape should be enough. I also do aerobics and such and feel like I'm doing more to lose weight with that than after I do yoga.

I'd love to hear from anyone elses who does yoga and the results they have seen from it.

Thanks

[rainsmom]

I have a yoga dvd called Yoga For Weight Loss & Conditioning.

For me, it inspires or makes me feel like I dont want to put anything shitty in my body. It makes me crave whole foods.

I think yoga is firming too!

[LukesMum]

I am a yoga instructor. For me, yoga was about bringing my life and body into balance. I have seen many of my students "balance" out their bodies but it was no quick fix. If you have weight to lose-yoga can help calm you mind, stimulate the metabolism (thyroid) and this can ehlp when those "binge" moments arrive. If you have weight to loose-you may want to supplement with some walking, but I do believe that with regular practice-you can find the balance.

[yogamama]

I teach yoga too, and I agree that yoga WITH walking or some other vigerous exercise is good for weight loss. I practice and teach a fairly gentle basic form of hatha yoga - I would not necessarily recommend that for weight loss, unless you are more advanced and adding flow series and many repititions.

If you have a yoga practice that feels good to you, you could add alot of sun salutations and get sweaty. Then add some walking and modify your diet and that would add up to weight loss.

Also, you might want to try Kundalini yoga (a nice tape is by Ravi Singh called "A Daily Workout for Women"). Kundalini focuses on core strength and does alot of repetitive movements. Also, if you feel up to it, you could try Ashtanga or "power" yoga. I'm not really into that, but you could definately lose weight that way. Also, Vinyasa/Flow Series Yoga is more flowing and you create heat in your body doing flow series. Sort of like doing sun salutatiions over and over again...

I guess the most important thing is to find something you like.
Good luck & namaste.
Kathleen

[autumndawn]

i have been practising ashtanga yoga for about 6 months now and have lost somewhere between 10-15 pounds. baby #3 is 11 months old and i am down to 5 pounds below my prepregnancy weight! i am really pleased with this, since i was never able to lose my baby fat before this. i go to class 4-5 times a week and don't really do other exercise (besides chase 3 kids of course), but i am watching what i eat -- i keep no junk food in the house and carry a selzer water bottle with me all day to fill me up so i don't grab food instead!

[ladylee]

Your physical shape will more than likely change as you move the prana around ...

[OceanMomma]

LadyLee I really am not stalking you

I am very excited. My gym has finally got a creche. I still have to check it out so I am only in theory excited. But it looks like I may be able to go to yoga classes twice a week now!!!

I'm sure yoga does help with weight loss but more for the fact that it changes how you carry yourself, helps with digestion, moves the prana around...rather than just for the fact that is exercise of some sort if you get what I mean ?

[rainsmom]

Im starting the gym too! Yoga 3 xs a week and they have a nursery there for 2bucks an hour(!).

One thing I love about Yoga is it affects other aspects of your life, what you eat, how you feel.........

I also started WeightWatchers too. I was eating TOO MANY CARBS and eating when I was bored. Feel so much better!

[OceanMomma]

The whole too many carbs thing is way confusing for me : but it's probably my problem.

I'm a vegan so I am not sure what to do about it coz the only thing I eat which isn't strictly speaking a carb is nuts & seeds & they're full of fat - albeit good fat, they're still fat.

To make matters worse the woman at the gym told me my blood type is a meat eater

Anyways back on topic. I'm looking forward to yoga immensely

[daylily]

I've been doing yoga since January, and although I haven't lost any weight, my arms seem more toned. The pose "viravadrasana 1" (sp) is quite tough on the arms. I also find I work my quadriceps quite alot when practicing yoga to prevent my knees from hyper-extending.

[shematrix]

Thanks for the responses!

[boobear]

Right now I do Yoga Zone (dvd) at home because it's most convenient (I work out just before bed and end up sleeping better).

I do it for toning, but I agree with everyone's comment on how you become more focused on living healthier.

Cut out processed foods (one a month) while you're looking for a weight loss program. I replaced chips with pretzels (tastes great with mustard!), soda with water (I saw a show that said there were about 6 tablespoons of white sugar for every can of soda), and once I find a way to cut out Starbucks extra-hot mochas I'll let you know! Green tea just doesn't cut it at work.

[DanishMom]

Hi there,

I lost 14 pounds in three months and became too skinny. I practised hatha yoga 1-2 hours a day. Some of the poses are excellent for burning fat. If you're interested I'll tell you more about it and provide you with links where you see can how these poses are done. Send me a pm if you want more info.

I agree that part of the weight loss is due to an increase in energy that makes you more physically active and more conscious about what you eat.

Good luck!!

Anne

[daylily]

That's awesome, Danishmom!

[DanishMom]

Daylily,

Yes, those were the days. I need to start practising yoga again. After having ds 8 months ago, I'm NOT skinny at all. I'm 18 pounds heavier than my pre pg. size and I definitely need more energy and strength!!!

Another good thing about yoga is that I can practice right next to ds. He'll probably thinks it's funny. Mommy turned upside down :

Anne