Yoga vs. Walking (Which is better for weight loss?)
Wondering why those stubborn pounds refuse to drop, in spite of you taking a walk everyday? Well, although walking can help you burn some calories, it is of no use if you simply stroll down the park or walk slowly. It only is effective when your walking is vigorous and you continue to do it patiently for a long period of time.
Yoga, on the other hand, has been highly recommended for weight loss. But wait, if you think that all those contorted yoga positions are going to work like magic to help you shred all that extra fat, you might be mistaken. Sure it can help you control your cravings for junk food, and make those muscles more flexible, because yoga is known to work wonders on the mind, body and soul. This connection between the mind, body and soul make you become more aware of what you are eating on a daily basis. It does take some practice to get there, so don’t expect to see immediate results. But with extended practice, you’ll see a difference for sure.
Less physical activities, overrating/ unhealthy eating and stress are what contribute to weight gain. Yoga certainly can be relied upon to give you a good workout, control your food cravings and keep your mind relaxed and stress free. There are a few asanas or poses that are designed for weight loss, like the Vajra Asana, Bhujangasana, Gomukha Asana and the Vakra Asana.
Why choose yoga?
Walking is merely a physical activity. It mostly works on your lower body, like the hips, thighs and legs. Besides, walking contributes very little or nothing to help you gain flexibility. Yoga is more than just a physical activity. It focuses on your total well-being, and works excellently in toning the body, so if you’re looking to get that hourglass figure, yoga can be your best friend.
You can practice yoga at any age. Yes, that’s correct! If you’re cautious about the type of yoga you do and work within your abilities, then age is not a barrier. In fact, yoga helps you age gracefully, as it increases stamina and flexibility.
With no specialised equipments required to practice yoga, it is a great workout routine that can be practiced anywhere. The breathing practices in yoga helps to clean and rejuvenate your internal organs which make them function better. It also increases your metabolism and heart rate.
An hour of walking is said to burn around 230 calories, while an hour of yoga burns 320 calories.
Although yoga on
Surya Namaskar
Surya Namaskar literally translates to “Salute to the Sun”. It comprises of twelve asanas, all of which target different parts of your body, like the back, abs, legs, arms, etc.
Doing 10-11 sets of Surya Namaskar everyday is sure to get you some amazing results. You may start with 5 sets per day to begin with, and gradually pick up momentum. Whatever you do, you do not want to overwork those muscles, so remember to take it slow.
Power Yoga
This is a style of yoga that is much more vigorous, and focus on fitness. So if you’re serious about getting rid of those stubborn pounds, Power Yoga is the way to go!
A good session of it is sure to leave you gasping for breath. As the name suggests, it is a high energy, intense form of yoga that involves a lot of jumping, turning and twisting.
Traditional yoga is diverse and not all the asanas aid weight loss, although it tones the body. It has more to do with relaxing the mind, overall well-being, increasing flexibility, and boosts metabolism. So if weight loss is your goal, you should opt for Power Yoga, as it’s structured to make your body loose fat. Power yoga uses traditional yoga and combines it with some modern exercise routine in order to maintain body fitness.
So if you decide to take up Power Yoga, you can expect to see these results:
1. Increased metabolism
2. Burn a good amount of calories
3. Build stamina, strength and flexibility
4. Reduces muscle tension
5. Reduces stress
6. Body toning
7. Improved blood circulation
It can also help build muscles and shed some water weight through sweating. Combining Power Yoga with weight lifting and cardio throughout the week, can work very well in getting you desired results and reach your weight goals.
Tips while practicing yoga for weight loss
1. Find yourself a good yoga instructor who has good knowledge in the subject and is well experienced.
2. Understand your body’s abilities and choose poses that you are capable of performing considering your age and current fitness level.
3. Give your body time to get used to the asanas. You may not be comfortable doing the asanas at first, so take it slow.
4. Take rest at regular intervals of time to avoid working yourself into exhaustion.
5. Attend your sessions religiously without missing them. Consistently is key.
6. Combine yoga with a well balanced, healthy diet for maximum results.
Don’t neglect your diet
How many people do you know that do super intensive physical activities, but still end up loosing no weight? Be honest. And why do you think that is? Yes, you guessed it. They have no control over their diet. You may spent hours at the gym, doing brisk walks or take high intensity power yoga sessions, but if you don’t eat healthy, you’ll be throwing away all that hard work right off the window.
When it comes to weight loss, it is 70% about your diet and 30% of your exercise that gives you effective results. So do your self a favour and keep your mind off of that pizza for a bit.
Conclusion
In comparison to walking, yoga wins the battle in helping weight loss. Practice Surya Namaskar regularly to boost metabolism and drop some pounds. Power Yoga is a style of yours that is designed
for fitness and health. Practice the same and following a well balanced diet is sure to help you loose weight and give you a beautiful body, making you look younger and more radiant. If you choose walking instead, just remember to take a brisk walk, as strolling will get you nowhere besides just few blocks down the road. Don’t overdo it to avoid injuries and burn outs.