10 Reasons To Practice Yoga For Weight Loss

While it may be harder for overweight people to do certain positions, the truth is that yoga can be very beneficial both physically and psychologically regardless of your weight.

If you are reading this article, it may be because you are interested in yoga, but you may think that yoga is not for you because you are overweight. Well, guess right again? You are wrong! Yoga is great for the obese because not only does it help burn fat, but it also helps control anxiety. Yoga for weight loss is very effective.

Yoga is generally good for everyone’s well-being, and many people can attest to that. For example, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi promotes yoga for all so that every citizen of India can enjoy the benefits of yoga in their daily lives.

The Prime Minister has even published a whole series of videos of himself in comics, which practice yoga and demonstrate the various positions. In these videos, he emphasizes that yoga is a healthy form of exercise for everyone.

Below we will highlight even more reasons to motivate you to go to a yoga – especially if you are overweight!

The amazing benefits of yoga for weight loss

1. Yoga for weight loss improves your breathing

Yoga can improve your breathing and help you become more aware of your breathing.

Being more aware of your breathing can lead to a healthier lifestyle and will also help nutrients reach your bodies more efficiently. Thus , your organs function better and you help your body to prevent diseases caused by nutrient deficiencies.

2. It improves your self-esteem and quality of life

Yoga is a great way to start a more active lifestyle. Yoga can also help you improve your self-esteem and overall quality of life.

Yoga helps you live physically and spiritually, and this will be important in improving how you see yourself and change the way you engage in your daily life. Thus , you will have more control over your body and will be able to improve your overall quality of life through physical activity.

3. It helps fight depression

Overweight woman with weight is ready for yoga for weight loss

Lots of people live with low self-esteem, which increases their risk of becoming depressed. Low self-esteem can be attributed to uncertainty about one’s physical appearance, personality traits or personal background.

But yoga for weight loss can help treat a mild depression and improve your self-esteem. This is a way to meditate, reflect, gain self-confidence and maintain an active and healthy lifestyle.

4. Yoga for weight loss relieves stress

The breathing exercises, meditation and improvement of your posture, all of which are part of yoga for weight loss, also help you relax and relieve stress. It will also help you to be more focused both mentally and physically.

If you regularly set aside part of your day to focus on meditating and deep breathing, it will significantly lower your levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. When you fill your lungs with fresh air, it will also help you calm down and it will enable you to better make decisions and face daily challenges.

5. It reduces physical discomfort

If you regularly practice a yoga routine, you can reduce headaches and blood pressure and help the body fight fatigue and insomnia . This happens due to increased oxygen to the brain and release of toxins that occur when breathing deeply and gently.

This will also help you have more energy during the day and give you more motivation to eat healthier and maintain an active and healthy lifestyle.

6. You will notice the changes

Weight does not affect your ability to practice yoga. That said, if you are starting yoga, it is important that you do not demand more from your body than it can provide . However, you will become more flexible and confident after practicing yoga for a while, and you will notice that over time you can perform more difficult positions than when you started.

Therefore, yoga is ideal for overweight people. For it provides an opportunity to go at your own pace while not pushing your body too far. You will also begin to notice changes in your body’s flexibility, strength, balance and your posture little by little. Therefore, remember not to get overwhelmed at first and take it slow.

7. It is an activity of low intensity

Yoga is a great addition to any healthy lifestyle. It also requires no drastic changes in your lifestyle.

There are positions for beginners, and most yoga instructors will change their teaching to a routine that takes into account the abilities of their students. This also gives you an opportunity not to get too frustrated that you are not able to perform the more difficult positions. They let you start at the best level for you.

Yoga also gives you flexibility in your schedule because you can decide how little or how much time to spend on it.

8. It benefits your endocrine system

Each yoga position affects a specific part of the body on a muscular, nerve or hormonal level. For example, some positions are aimed at people who suffer from thyroid problems.

Therefore, if you are overweight due to hormonal issues, you should practice yoga in order to help these issues. In this case , we recommend examining or asking an instructor which positions are best aimed at the thyroid gland and other hormonal problems.

9. Yoga helps you fight anxiety

We have already mentioned the spiritual and relaxing benefits of yoga. This is because it is commonly considered as an activity that helps reduce anxiety.

Not only do the meditation and breathing components help you reduce anxiety levels, but the effect of yoga on your nervous system can also help your concentration ability. This can also affect your eating habits and cravings.

10. It helps you meet your goals

If you are interested in physical activity to help you live a healthier lifestyle or lose weight, yoga is perfect! Besides being a form of exercise, it is also a spiritual activity. It strengthens your connection with yourself and your willpower.

There will be moments of concentration and meditation where you are encouraged to move forward and improve. It will also give you more patience to wait for the results of your efforts.

What positions can help you lose weight?

Woman on mountain top practices yoga for weight loss

Yoga can help you strengthen your muscles, improve your flexibility, improve your breathing and generally help you feel more comfortable. Yoga is especially beneficial for overweight people because good results can be achieved without strenuous exercise.

Help your body promote weight loss by performing the following positions:

Deadly ( Savasana ): This is ideal for relaxation and soothing for your mind and body
Candlestick ( Sarvangasana ): This helps you regulate your metabolism and stimulate the thyroid gland.
Legs on the wall ( Viparita Karani Mudra ): This position helps the thyroid gland to work better and improves circulatory problems. In addition, this helps to exercise better self-control.

Pisces ( Matsyasana ): This position helps you regulate the function of the thyroid gland. It is also beneficial for the pituitary gland, adrenal glands and pineal glands.
Plow ( Halasana ): This posture helps reduce belly fat. It also helps regulate the thyroid gland, spleen and your liver.
Cobra ( Bhujanghasana ) : This position helps you regulate the adrenal glands and thyroid gland. In addition, this position also stimulates to make the muscles of the abdomen stronger. It also strengthens the spine.

What positions should you avoid in yoga for weight loss?

Generally, you should not perform any positions that you are not physically prepared to perform. These are exercises where a part of the body supports all your body weight. Other positions, such as padahastasana and balasana, where you lean all the way forward, can also prevent your breathing.

Regular physical activity helps you maintain a healthy lifestyle. Yoga is especially helpful for overweight people who want to start a healthier or more active lifestyle. It is especially effective because it can not only improve your physical health but also your mental and spiritual health.