Article # 308. Yoga for Weight Loss

Did you know that yoga can burn fat, boost metabolism and aid in digestion?

The physical results that occur as a result of practicing yoga are not only a beautiful body and increased flexibility.  The real benefits and results happen on the inside!  Through yoga, the changes that occur in your body are ones that improve your overall health and cause chemical reactions within your body that can accelerate weight loss.

Doing yoga is known to result in easing or even getting rid of stress.  Many people don’t realize that stress is a huge factor in weight gain and weight retention, especially in your belly and hips.  When your stress levels go down, your body’s sensitivity to glucose in your blood increases, causing your body to kick into fat-burning mode. 

When your stress levels are high, the opposite effect occurs, making it more difficult to lose weight, or even just maintain it.  The chemical reaction is just one factor.  Another point to consider is that many of us tend to over eat when we are stressed.  Not only do we over eat, we gravitate to comfort foods, which we all know generally tend not to be steamed vegetables and brown rice!  Savory foods and sweets are harder for your body to break down, and slow down the digestive tract.  It’s a vicious cycle that can be avoided if you start with a couple of yoga classes each week!