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Practicing Yoga For Weight Loss

February 19, 2010 by Yoga Fan  
Filed under Yoga Information, Yoga Tips

There are many different methods of yoga.  Some are geared more towards relaxation and meditation, while others are geared towards posture and building muscle tone or are a little more vigorous and for the more athletic type of person.  No matter what form of yoga you choose, studies have shown it reduces the levels of stress hormones and helps increase insulin sensitivity which together will help fight stubborn fat. If your goal is to incorporate yoga for weight loss, then you need to select the type of yoga that will give you the most weight loss benefits.

For example, if you are looking to find a type of yoga conditioning for weight loss then power yoga would be one method to try.   This type of yoga is a high energy and faced paced form of yoga that will resemble a full body workout.  It is a modified version of Ashtanga yoga and focuses on synchronizing your breathing pattern with each movement. It emphasizes executing the basic yoga poses in proper form while holding the pose for a longer period of time to help improve flexibility and endurance.  Essentially, be prepared to sweat and walk away with a sore muscle or two.

Another type of yoga for weight loss is hot yoga. Hot yoga is exactly what it sounds like.  It is performed in a room where the temperature is set to around 95 degrees so as you are performing your many poses, the increased temperature greatly increases sweating.  There are a few different types of yoga poses for weight loss, such as the rocking boat or hover, and performing these poses at increased temperatures will definitely help you burn more calories.

Practicing yoga is a great way to get in shape and lose weight, but focusing on the right yoga exercises for weight loss and the more vigorous types of yoga methods will help you lose weight faster.  If you prefer to practice yoga in the comfort of your own home, you can find various types of yoga asanas for weight loss online, or purchase a yoga for weight loss DVD.  It is important to keep in mind that if you are just starting out with yoga or are very overweight, you should always start with a beginner level class or beginner level DVD series.  Yoga is no different than any other workout routine and you want to safely work your way up to the more vigorous methods.