Can Yoga Help Shed Those Extra Pounds?

Are you tired of the same old weight loss methods?

If you're looking for something different, something that not only helps you lose weight but also brings a sense of calm and balance to your life, then you might want to consider yoga.

Yes, you heard it right!

Yoga is not just about twisting your body into pretzel-like shapes; it could also help you shed those extra pounds. Let’s explore the potential benefits of yoga for weight loss and why it might be worth incorporating into your fitness routine.

Yoga works by moving the lymph in your body and regulating your vagus nerve. Lymph and the vagus nerve are BIG NEWS. If you have stagnant lymph, you’ll likely feel crappy and maybe bloated. There’s some wonderful people focussing on moving lymph, like Dr Perry Nickelston, and I urge you to seek them out. For the vagus nerve, look at some of my videos on this, there’s easy to follow tutorials. But, first, let’s focus on Yoga.

Understanding Yoga's Weight Loss Potential:

When we think of weight loss, our minds often conjure up images of intense cardio workouts or strict diet plans. While these methods can certainly be effective, they might not be everyone's cup of tea. That's where yoga comes in. Yoga, with its gentle and low-impact movements, offers a holistic approach to fitness that can complement your weight loss journey.

Burning Calories:

Now, let's be clear - yoga isn't going to torch calories like a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) session. However, it can still be a valuable tool for weight loss.

Certain yoga styles, such as Vinyasa or Power Yoga, incorporate dynamic sequences that can get your heart rate up, boosting your metabolism and calorie burn. In fact, an hour-long session of vigorous yoga can burn anywhere from 350-550 calories.

Building Lean Muscle:

Adding lean muscle mass to your body can be a game-changer when it comes to weight loss. Here's where yoga shines. Through various poses and flows, yoga helps to strengthen and tone your muscles, particularly in the arms, legs, and core. As you build lean muscle, your metabolism revs up, leading to increased calorie burn even at rest.

Mindful Eating:

If you've struggled with emotional or mindless eating, yoga can be a valuable ally in your weight loss journey. Try cooking something yummy like this recipe for Lentil and Potato stew, and practise mindful eating.

By practicing mindfulness and deep breathing techniques on the mat, you cultivate awareness and self-control, which can extend into your eating habits. This newfound mindfulness can help you make more conscious food choices and develop a healthier relationship with food. Chewing your food slowly, to the consistency of apple sauce, is good for your digestive health too!

Stress Reduction:

We all know how stress can wreak havoc on our bodies and lead to weight gain. By incorporating yoga into your routine, you'll benefit from its stress-relieving properties.

Through deep breathing, meditation, and relaxation techniques, yoga helps to reduce the levels of cortisol, the infamous stress hormone, in your body. As a result, you'll experience reduced cravings and emotional eating episodes.


While yoga might not be the magical solution to weight loss, there's no denying its potential benefits.

From burning calories and building lean muscle to promoting mindful eating and reducing stress, yoga offers a holistic approach to fitness that can complement your weight loss efforts.

So, if you've been looking for a gentler and more mindful way to shed those extra pounds, why not give yoga a try? It's time to roll out your mat, strike a pose, and embark on a journey of physical and mental transformation.

Namaste!