We all know exercise is an essential part of any weight loss plan. But what if you don’t like working out? Or what if the gym isn’t your thing? Well, there is an alternative—yoga! Wait a minute, yoga is more for developing a mind-body connection, isn’t it? How can movement developed for mindfulness and spiritual awareness possibly help with weight loss?

This discussion has been ongoing for years. But there has been some research to show the positive effects of yoga for weight loss, as well as many testimonies from people who have successfully lost weight with yoga.

Discover the real benefits that yoga can give you in your weight loss endeavors:

The Type of Yoga Matters.
When it comes to practicing yoga for weight loss, not all types are equal. Power yoga and Vinyasa types can help you burn just about as many calories as a workout at the gym because they involve more dynamic movements and poses designed to challenge your balance, strength, flexibility, and endurance. On the other hand, restorative or gentle yoga practices are better suited for relaxation than burning calories. Sixty minutes of power yoga or vinyasa five to six days a week can give you great weight loss results.

Yoga Lowers Stress and Can Change Poor Eating Habits.
Stress can be a big contributor to weight gain. High levels of cortisol, the hormone released when we’re under pressure or feeling anxious, can cause cravings for unhealthy sugary or fatty foods that make it difficult to maintain a healthy diet. Research has shown that regular yoga practice reduces cortisol levels significantly by helping people become more aware of their bodies and their reactions to stressors in life, including becoming more aware of their cravings and hunger levels, allowing them to make better choices about what they eat and when they eat it.

Habitual Mindfulness Helps Improve Healthy Eating Choices.
With the focus of yoga being big on mindfulness, it only makes sense that it is also a huge help in practicing mindful eating, which is an important step towards achieving healthier lifestyle goals. It helps break bad habits such as snacking on unhealthy snacks or overeating during meals due to emotional triggers like boredom or sadness. Regularly practicing mindfulness through yoga will help you become more aware of your body’s needs and make better choices when selecting food items from your grocery store or restaurant menu.

Accountability through the Yoga Community Helps You Stick To It.
Aside from physical benefits, one of the best parts about practicing yoga is connecting with people who have similar interests and goals. The community aspect of many studios provides accountability in a family-like atmosphere, which can be invaluable when trying to stick with any kind of health routine or diet plan because having someone else cheer for your success can give you extra motivation when things get tough or boring.

The mindfulness habits developed through yoga, while also getting some exercise, have been most beneficial for many people and could be for you as well. When done correctly, yoga can be a great way for anyone looking for an alternative exercise method for losing weight and keeping it off long-term. If you like the idea of losing weight with rigorous gym workouts, think about trying yoga!