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Yoga and weight loss
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While not a “sport,” yoga is a great way to you lose weight and/or provide a gentle entry back into movement for those who have been sedentary. Yoga will also help you stave off bone loss, build lean muscle tissue and—yes—burn calories.
Not every type of yoga contributes to weight loss (for example, the very slow relaxation types are better for flexibility, back health and stress). However, several types of yoga will really help you get into shape or challenge different aspects of your fitness. Fortunately, all of the other benefits of yoga (relaxation, mental focus, and so on) still manage to seep in to these classes, as well. Here are some buzzwords that will help you in your search for the right class, should weight loss be your goal. And please don’t forget: all bodies are welcome in yoga . . . no matter what size.
1) Ashtanga yoga: A vigorous, specific set of poses that are performed without rest in between. This is form of yoga that will help you build some serious strength and cardiovascular health.
2) Higher-level Iyengar classes: Iyengar is a form of yoga that focuses on perfect alignment and form. The higher-level classes usually involve harder poses (think handstands and arm balances, some of which are employed in other styles as well) and longer holds.
3) “Flow” or “vinyasa” yoga: This form of yoga is similar to Ashtanga yoga, except it is a bit more free-form than the former.
4) Bikram yoga: This form of yoga involves practicing in a very hot room, often 95-100 degrees Fahrenheit. That alone makes the practice strenuous, but when added to the Bikram series of 26 challenging poses, you’ve got a workout that will make you sweat harder than the elliptical trainer at the gym.
If you are just getting back into movement after a sedentary period of your life, here’s how I recommend working up to some of the tougher classes out there.
1) Take an introductory or level-one class to familiarize yourself with the poses, assimilate to your environment and gain confidence.
2) Slowly work your way up to longer holds and more vigorous poses.
3) Begin by choosing classes with teachers who are willing to work empathetically with beginners.
4) Stay tuned into your feelings and don’t push your body too hard.
The benefits will come, and they will be lasting. If you don’t believe me, come check out Eva Kastel’s class at Castro Valley Yoga where I teach (http://cvyoga.com). At 86-years old, she is trim, strong, agile, and amazingly flexible. And her classes will make you SWEAT.
Whatever your goals, yoga has something to offer you. So don’t be shy . . . take the plunge.
Enjoy!
Namaste (“The light within me bows to and honors the light within you.”),
Brianna Politzer Stevens
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S.F. Examiner.com blog on Yoga and Spiritual Living:
Scuba blog for women: http://scuba.girlswhogodown.com
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Yoga classes: Sunday, 5:15-6:15 p.m. and Monday 12:00-1:00 p.m. at Castro Valley Yoga
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