Common Myths
Many fans of high impact exercise would tell you that yoga is useless for weight loss.  They would say that yoga is good for staying mentally fit but ultimately ineffective for serious weight loss and muscle toning.  Although yoga is not as powerful for immediate, drastic results, to say that it is powerless for weight loss is entirely untrue.  However, the goal of yoga is not to simply shed pounds quickly.  There are obviously other exercise regimens which would yield a faster result.  Yoga involves more than weight loss alone and incorporates a mental change toward healthier living.  Yoga promotes spiritual growth along side a shrinking waist.

What Yoga can’t do
Doing a half an hour of yoga per day cannot compete with doing a half hour of running or lifting weights as far as calories burned are concerned.  Therefore, don’t go into a yoga program expecting fast, dramatic results.  Yoga is far different than traditional weight loss programs, and this should be recognized from the start.  Yoga does have many benefits which do not accompany traditional exercises.  Talk to an expert before beginning a yoga weight loss program and set reasonable goals for yourself.

Necessity of Nutrition
Any fitness trainer will tell you that a nutritious lifestyle is important regardless of how much you exercise.  This is especially true in yoga.  Yoga does not burn calories at the rate of other exercises, so set up a nutritional eating plan as you begin the program.  Don’t starve yourself, but rather eat a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables.  If you load your body down with junk food, yoga will not be able to yield you the results which it otherwise could.  You need to have respect for your body and allow your mind and body to be truly cleansed.

How to Use Yoga
The actual practice of yoga postures needs to be in accompaniment with other aspects including

• Nutrition
• Mindfulness
• Meditation

You can also use yoga in combination with another more strenuous exercise program.  A good suggestion would be to alternate yoga with, for example, jogging or weight training.  Do these programs every other day or in some rotation that gives you a good balance of exercise.  If you are steadfast in your efforts to truly benefit from yoga, you will receive the results that you desire.  Yoga is also a great way to maintain your weight once you are happy with it.

Power Yoga
A new “Americanized” version of traditional yoga techniques is emerging.  This new form is known as “power yoga,” and it is rapidly attracting followers.  Power yoga uses similar positions, but the movements are more active and paired with meditative breathing.  This breathing in combination with the active movements creates an aerobic workout that traditional yoga lacks.  The infusion of oxygen into the bloodstream during a yoga workout results in the positive aerobic benefit.  Power yoga can be an effective tool in weight loss if used in a proper manner.