Yoga and weight loss, they don’t seem to go together, do they?

I do not like to put a focus on losing weight in my yoga classes. I prefer to focus on acceptance of ourselves and trying to improve our health and fitness level. There are medical issues that are caused or made worse by being overweight. Being at the healthiest weight for your body is a good thing. I spent most of my life on a diet. I started dieting as a child and never stopped. It is the way I always thought about food. Was this a “good” food or "bad" food. The problem I have with going on a diet is that it implies an ending. When people go on and off diets, they generally gain the weight back. When people change their relationship with food and the way they see themselves, the changes in their behavior towards food happens. I struggled with my relationship with food until I found a better, more accepting relationship with my body. Yoga played a huge role in this. Yoga is a place of acceptance. I have found I like myself as I am as I’ve grown with my practice. I am not defined by the latest diet. I don’t jump on that train. I eat healthy most of the time. Food is fuel for my body, and I like food. I love to cook. I love socializing with friends around a good meal. The physical practice of yoga helps me stay fit. The mental practice helps me to stay balanced in all parts of my life.

Yoga can help you feel better about yourself. Yoga encourages a healthy lifestyle. Yoga can be many things to many people. I have seen changes in my students at the studio after they have begun a yoga practice. I have seen them become more outgoing. I have seen people shed the burdens they brought with them into class, at least for that hour. They tell me yoga helps the load feel lighter. I have seen people find a community of people they enjoy spending time with. I have seen people help their bodies heal from injuries. I love seeing people improve their self-image. I have watched as people become less stressed and more flexible. I have also observed people get in better shape and lose weight.

We have two workshops coming up in a few weeks at CatFit Yoga. One is on yoga and weight loss with a focus on performance nutrition by Dr. John Sherrill and I will be discussing the yoga aspect.

As I have looked into what I want to talk about in this workshop, I looked at what I believe about weight loss. I feel that the foundation of weight loss is in behavior change. You must change your behavior to make positive changes in your life. As you move through a yoga class you become more aware of your body, your breath and your focus. You become more mindful in class and out of class.

I do not like to put a focus on losing weight in my yoga classes. I prefer to focus on acceptance of ourselves and trying to improve our health and fitness level. There are medical issues that are caused or made worse by being overweight. Being at the healthiest weight for your body is a good thing. I spent most of my life on a diet. I started dieting as a child and never stopped. It is the way I always thought about food. Was this a “good” food or a “bad” food. The problem I have with going on a diet is that it implies an ending. When people go on and off diets, they generally gain weight back. When people change their relationship with food and the way they see themselves, the changes in their behavior towards food happens. I struggled with my relationship with food until I found a better, more accepting relationship with my body. Yoga played a huge role in this. Yoga is a place of acceptance. I have found I like myself as I am as I’ve grown with my practice. I am not defined by the latest diet. I don’t jump on that train. I eat healthy most of the time. Food is fuel for my body, and I like food. I love to cook. I love socializing with friends around a good meal. The physical practice of yoga helps me stay fit. The mental practice helps me to stay balanced in all parts of my life.

So, can yoga aid in weight loss? Yes, but there is so much more to yoga than just weight loss.

Change in our mind brings change to our bodies.