Don’t listen to anyone who says yoga won’t aid with weight loss

December 13, 2016 Ashley 0 Comments

It’s always disappointing to hear horrible weight loss advice.

Like, for instance, the misconception that “yoga won’t help you lose weight.”

Yes, my loves. This is an actual statement I read today.

(#YogaFacepalm)

And it comes from one John Rowley – a certified personal trainer (and International Sports Science Association (ISSA) director of wellness and founder of UX3 Nutrition). But all those accolades make me feel better. Mostly because I have none of those things, and I (plus hundreds of others) still know for a fact that he’s wrong. But first, so there’s zero misunderstanding, let’s get his actual quote, Per Popsugar:

Rowley explained that yoga “has a lot of benefits, but losing weight is not one of them.” Although you’ll gain strength and tone up, if you’re aiming to shed pounds, “you want to work as much of your body as possible to lose weight and to stimulate your metabolism,” and Rowley said yoga is not the most effective way to do so.

Okay, so I get what he’s trying to get at – that you need more than just yoga to fire up your metabolism. That yoga alone won’t necessarily whisk away the weight if you change nada else in your life. That, said, the implication’s that it’s something to pass by on your way to weight loss. And that’s just tragic. Why? Because by skipping over this amazing activity, you’re missing out on what might help you keep all those other cardio and strengthening habits you’re trying to make stick. Also, it’s not true that yoga doesn’t cause any weight loss itself. Why? Well, there’s more than one sort’ve yoga. Sure, you’ve got your gentle, Sunday morning Vinyasa flow. And, yeah, Bikram mostly rids you of water weight (which you gain back). But I challenge Mr. Rowely to visit a heated Yin class, where we hold contractions for minutes at a time. That shiz puts Barre to shame with the isometric muscles you work. And doesn’t building muscle aid in adipose eradication? I mean, that’s the stuff that helps you full blast style burn fat.

And speaking of burning fat, what if it helps someone – someone who’s trying something physical for the first time – to feel more limber? More in tune with their body? What if it does both’ve those things enough to inspire them to start more cardio or strength training in addition to doing yoga? One prime example’s yours truly: days my limbs are less constricted and tight, post sun salutation, I’m a different human altogether. I’m not only motivated to hit the trail and run – but I wanna go farther, too. It’s amazing how much less exhausting working out is when your body feels freer.

And let’s don’t forget the actual aim of yoga, shall we?

Yoga’s meant to bring about both internal and somatic balance. It’s not just about the outside stuff. Can you change your fitness from the outside alone? Not likely. You’ve gotta change habits if you don’t wanna revert to malevolent, ingrained routines. And that comes from within. You’ve gotta want it. And how can you want it? Well, by not wanting to indulge the bad stuff anymore, for one. See, those who are overweight thanks to feeling-eating typically suffer some sort’ve internal turmoil. But, when done correctly, yoga helps to manage that – and offer us bodily calm. And with that bodily calm comes cognitive (and spiritual, and emotion) calm. That’s we can embrace these flesh vessels we live in – and make better decisions about what we put into it. Doesn’t that matter, Mr. Rowley? When diet’s over half of weight loss?

(Who’s up for melancholy munching when they’re on a zen level like this? No one. That’s who.)

In sum, John’s not wrong about yoga alone not doing it. If you’re committed to only doing yoga and refuse to change anything else, then, no. It might not do much. But I challenge you to start a legit yoga practice, keep with it daily, and not notice yourself wanting to alter all of the negative tendencies in your life. Bad fitness habits, included. No, yoga’s not a quick weight loss tool. But it’s definitely a start on the road to fitness – and it’s definitely an adhesive that can keep your routine together, if you’re trying to turn over a new leaf and leave poor lifestyle choices behind.

And, from all I’ve heard and seen, that’s what weight loss should be about:

Results that aren’t rapid – but that last as long as a leg quaking Yin pose feels.

(For Mr. Rowley, or anyone else who also knows zero about yoga, that’s yoga-nese for “a really long time”.)