Yoga for weight loss editorial
I have recently read
some headlines indicating the effectiveness of yoga for
weight loss and also have read some headlines that indicated
that there may be some controversy as to whether or not yoga
can help you lose weight.
Let me be perfectly clear that I
did not read either of the articles that followed the
headlines – I simply want to add my opinion. This article
will go in the editorial section of my website because it is
simply my opinion. Also let me clarify that I am not a yoga
expert – I am just someone who has taken some yoga classes.
So can yoga help you
lose weight? My opinion is yes – yoga can help you lose
weight. I am not going to get caught up in a controversy
about how many calories yoga burns or anything like that.
My reasons for believing that yoga can help you lose weight
are much different and can probably be best explained if I
tell you about my yoga experiences.
The type of yoga I
experienced as a deeply relaxing, flowing type of yoga. The
class was quiet except for the sound of the instructor's
soothing voice. I would leave the class feeling very relaxed
and centered. So you may be asking just how I think that
would help someone lose weight. The reason I believe that is
because over the course of several classes I started to
develop more awareness within my body. I feel like I became
more in tune with what was good for my body and what was bad
for my body. I started to view things that I would eat as
either friendly to my body or hostile to my body. I also
started to view exercise as either friendly to my body or
destructive to my body. (Such as the heavy weight lifting I
have done most of my life)
The choices in my food
and activities naturally became better and healthier. I
became much more conscious of my health and started seeing
our bodies for the miracle that they really are. I started
reading more about natural health (instead of just fitness)
and learning about the effects some of the foods we eat have
on our bodies. I became more aware of how I felt after
eating certain things and have eliminated several unhealthy
foods from my diet altogether. In summary, I believe that
yoga created a whole new healthy awareness for me that
carried over into my eating, exercising, and even mental
sides of my life. My opinion is that yoga will help others
develop this same awareness that will ultimately lead to
weight loss and greater health.
Do I believe yoga is the
best and quickest way to safe weight loss? Not at all. But
for some people it may be a great addition to what you are
already doing or a great place to start your new life.
Wishing you the best health!
Bill
