Hot Yoga

Hot yoga does not cause weight loss, because only a calorie deficit can do that. Exercise is never essential to weight loss. In other words, weight loss happens in the kitchen, fitness starts in the gym (or the hot yoga room. ).

rabbitjb wrote: »

Joaniecan2014 wrote: »

Hi, I went through a Bikram phase a few years ago. I didn't lose any weight, but I definitely toned up and was curvy. The class teacher would often mention that we were burning 500 or more calories per class.

What? I hope you laughed

I agree.

I don't know why people insist that things yoga, aerobic classes, and even weight lifting, burn such high calories. They really don't, and the true calorie burn would be difficult to come up with because none of these things are steady state cardio.

Hot yoga will not make you lose weight. A calorie deficit does that.

Just like stretching in the sun sweating my butt off doesn't burn calories or "tone" me up.

I practiced Bikram yoga for about a year. My heart rate stayed pretty high during those 90 minute classes due to the heat and strenuous nature of the poses. I wouldn't be surprised if I burned 600-700 calories each class. They're no joke! I definitely noticed a positive change in my body during that time, though I was not trying to lose weight at the time.

You might burn a few calories with yoga, but not all that many. Most of the "weight loss" would probably come from sweating out water weight and not replenishing enough... which means you're dehydrated, not losing weight.

Edit: you will probably strengthen muscles a lot, though... which may make it look like you've lost some weight possibly depending on how intensely you yoga (is there a verb form of yoga? Yogaing?) There's no denying yoga is good for you... focusing on breathing, developing strength, maintaining balance, becoming flexible... but as far as weight loss is concerned its all malarkey.

ffbrown25 wrote: »

I practiced Bikram yoga for about a year. My heart rate stayed pretty high during those 90 minute classes due to the heat and strenuous nature of the poses. I wouldn't be surprised if I burned 600-700 calories each class. They're no joke! I definitely noticed a positive change in my body during that time, though I was not trying to lose weight at the time.

Watching a horror movie would do the same with heart rate though.
Thing is yoga is an anaerobic exercise and anaerobic exercises don't burn that many calories. 300-400 calories in that time is more accurate.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Well, before anyone makes too much of an argument around it, the doctor who conducted the CSU study on Bikram yoga even said that if you're inexperienced, your session may only burn the same number of calories as a 3.5 mph walk. However, if you're experienced and able to do all of the poses and movements to their highest efficiency, you might end up burning a lot more.

So this may end up being a completely relative thing. It's not going to be a consistant burn for everyone.

Source: snewsnet.com/news/csu-bikram-study/

I love many types of yoga, but not hot yoga. I passed out my first and only time.

Yoga does help me with weight loss, but less from calories burned than from supporting equanimity and thus preventing emotional eating. See: How Yoga Can Help End Binge Eating

Also:

Yoga may benefit heart health as much as aerobics

...The study team analyzed 37 randomized, controlled trials involving 2,768 people through December 2013. The trials either looked at yoga compared to no exercise or to aerobic exercises. Participants’ average age was 50 and they were followed for anywhere from 12 weeks to one year.

Those who did yoga had significant improvements in a range of risk factors. Systolic blood pressure (the top number) dropped by an average of 5.21 mm Hg, and diastolic pressure (the bottom number) dropped 4.9 mm HG. LDL “bad” cholesterol fell by an average 12.14 mg/dl and HDL “good” cholesterol rose by an average 3.20 mg/dl. Average heart rate was lower by a little over 5 beats per minute and weight loss averaged a bit over 5 pounds.

These changes were similar to the improvements seen among people who did aerobic exercise instead.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/26/us-health-yoga-cardio-trials-idUSKBN0K40Y520141226

ljschou wrote: »

Thanks for the discussion- my favorite exercises running and hot yoga- addicted to both, but running is hard on the body, especially after 40!

I run....and I'm 53!