Can You Use Yoga for Weight Loss and Toning?

Yoga is one of the best exercises you can do when you’re looking to become more healthy and active. So the question arises: can you use yoga for weight loss and toning? For those wondering how to lose weight and uncover their body’s muscle tone, look at a seasoned yogi and you’ll see the true benefits of a consistent yoga practice.

In it’s beginning, yoga focused on a spiritual, mind-body connection. Today, yoga workouts offer a non-impact way to reduce stress and increase flexibility and balance as well as many other health benefits.

There are many different styles of yoga. Each style is unique, moving through different poses at varying speeds, each with it’s own objectives. So which style of yoga is best if you’re looking to lose weight and tone up? And an additional question to consider if you’re new to yoga is, which style of yoga should you begin with?

Here is a break down of some common types of yoga and what the intention of each is. Some styles are great for learning the basic poses which is important to reduce your risk of injury and get the most out of your yoga practice. A good introduction to yoga promotes consistency, which is the most important part of achieving weight loss and muscle definition.

6 Best Types of Yoga for Weight loss and Toning

• Iyengar Yoga

Today’s yoga styles became popular through Iyengar Yoga, named after it’s originator, B.K.S. Iyengar. Iyengar yogi’s devote their practice to perfecting each pose, searching for proper alignment in every position.

This style of yoga is great for beginners to learn the basics of yoga safely while obtaining the physical benefits of the sport. Although Iyengar Yoga is not a big calorie burner, it will help you safely build the foundation for more challenging styles of yoga.

• Bikram/Hot Yoga

Bikram Yoga and Hot Yoga are similar in that they are both practiced in a hot room. Bikram practicers sweat through the same sequence of 26 poses in a 90 minute class while Hot Yogi’s don’t follow the same routine each time. The nature of practicing in a hot room improves flexibility and some claim that sweat releases toxins. Both of these styles are not recommended for beginners or those with health conditions that may be affected by intense heat.

• Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga was introduced to western culture in the 1970s. It is a more vigorous style of yoga that leaves the yogi sweating and out of breath. It truly is an athletic style of yoga which focuses on moving from pose to pose with the movement of the breath. While ashtanga gives it’s practiser a challenging workout that burns calories, it is likely unsafe for the average beginner unfamiliar with proper yoga form.

• Vinyasa Yoga

Vinyasa Yoga focuses on various flows, moving from one pose to another with graceful transitions. If you’re familiar with sun salutations, you have an idea what Vinyasa yoga is like. This kind of yoga can be intense but also very rejuvenating as you focus on your breath and what your body can do.

Vinyasa yoga is similar to Ashtanga yoga but it tends to be more playful and usually less intense. If you have learned the basic yoga poses, Vinyasa is a great second style of yoga to try.

• Hatha Yoga

Hatha is the opposite of Vinyasa. While Vinyasa yoga will bring you through a series of poses in a carefully sequenced flow, Hatha focuses on one pose at a time, holding each position for two to five minutes as you also focus on calming your mind. In very simple terms, a Hatha yoga class feels like a relaxing stretch class. This doesn’t mean it’s easy, but it does give the practiser a safe introduction to the art of yoga.

• “Yoga Burn”

The “Yoga Burn” system is perfect for beginners. Each virtual class will walk you through the yoga poses step by step, laying the foundation for more challenging flows and styles. In “Yoga Burn”, you will not be overwhelmed with complicated flows or poses in the first class. You will be gently guided through a smart progression of exercises by a trained yoga instructor and each session will leave you feeling relaxed and energized. CLICK HERE to read more about Yoga Burn training program.

Which Yoga Style Burns the Most Calories?

When it comes to choosing the style of yoga that is best for weight loss and toning, the best type of yoga is the one you will practice regularly.

If you’re looking to use yoga as a way to lose weight and tone up, the more vigorous styles of Vinyasa, Hot, Bikram, and Asthanga will burn the most calories. However, without a solid yoga foundation, you may end up injured and frustrated. Those new to yoga would do best to stick with Hatha or Iyengar yoga. The “Yoga Burn” system by Zoe Bray Cotton gives the perfect introduction to those new to yoga along with the necessary progressions needed to build a beautiful, strong yoga body.