Hot yoga for weight loss

Hey everyone, I recently developed a back injury and cant go back to my weight training and cardio routine for about 5-6 months. I tried hot yoga and really liked it (I may continue doing that as my primary form of exercise :)). I do hot vinyasa flow 4-5 times a week and that's the only form of exercise in my routine. I want to lose about 15 lbs. I would love to hear from people who have benefited from yoga for weight loss. Thanks!

Replies

  • yoginimary
    yoginimary Posts: 6,788 Member
    You will read a lot about "yoga helped me lose ___ lbs" to "yoga isn't aerobic enough to help you lose weight". If it's something you'll stick to and enjoy, go with it - see what it does for you.
  • jessicaecohen
    jessicaecohen Posts: 6 Member
    I have started replacing some of my cardio workouts with bikram yoga. Although I doubt it expels as many calories as running or spinning (I average 500 - 700 calories), yoga has taught me to be patient which is something you need on a weight loss journey or recovering from an injury. I have also learned that the 'I'm not flexible' or 'I can't do backward bends' are just excuses and that with time it will happen. Out of curiosity, with your injury can swim? If so, perhaps that could also be a form of cardio. Good luck with your recovery :)
  • kjindal
    kjindal Posts: 4 Member
    thanks guys.

    ya I think I can swim. I will ask my doctor about it. Thanks for the suggestion!
  • celshade
    celshade Posts: 131 Member
    A quick search for "Arthur's Inspirational Transformation" that features yoga taught by Diamond Dallas Page will provide you with a yoga weight loss success.

    The only video on YouTube that has ever made me cry.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX9FSZJu448 is the video.
  • NaturallyOlivia
    NaturallyOlivia Posts: 496 Member
    I tried hot yoga a few times and I loved it! The only reason I don't do it more is because the only studio that offers it here charges $12 per class :o so it's quite expensive and located about 15 mile from my house, easily a 30 min drive depending on traffic.

    Yoga, in general, I wouldn't say is a go-to tool for weight loss. Yes, it burns calories. So does brushing your teeth, watching tv, and doing laundry. Everything burns calories. This is not to say it isn't good for your overall health and fitness though, it absolutely is, but I feel it focuses more on toning, strength, and endurance than cardiovascular fitness and fat burning.

    Hot yoga might be a little different because it gives a sauna effect so you are burning the calories from doing yoga + the calories from sweating.

    At any rate, if you enjoy it, by all means do it. It's a great break from intense cardio all the time and really helps muscle definition, increases flexibility, and great reduces muscle soreness (at least in my experience).

    /end ramble
  • NaturallyOlivia
    NaturallyOlivia Posts: 496 Member
    A quick search for "Arthur's Inspirational Transformation" that features yoga taught by Diamond Dallas Page will provide you with a yoga weight loss success.

    The only video on YouTube that has ever made me cry.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX9FSZJu448 is the video.

    Omg I love that video! Every time he starts running at the end I just lose it! :'(