The Link Between Yoga, Mindfulness, and Weight Loss (Part 1)

Across the Globe, nutritional and fitness experts areNow, instead of jumping to conclusions about Yoga
baffled at the results of a study, conducted byfrom the sidelines, my first suggestion is to join a Yoga
researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Researchclass. This would allow the top nutrition and fitness
Center in Seattle. Dr. Alan R. Kristal, the leadexperts to experience the many benefits that Yoga
researcher of this study, remarked, "I was veryhas to offer.
surprised with the results. Considering that people gainHowever, this will not be the case with all the experts.
about a pound a year during this time, this is prettyThe lack of male presence in a typical American Yoga
substantial."class is visibly apparent and worthy of a study in male
Shortly afterward, from nutritional and fitness expertsinsecurity. This is a subject that I promise to address in
in New England, the first question I heard right awaya future article, but let's get back to the point.
was, "How can Yoga burn that many calories?" SoonSo, female fitness, nutrition, and medical experts will
to be followed by comments from many fitnessconfirm what most of them already know. Yoga is a
experts, across the United States, were remarks like,complete health maintenance system and has been
"Most Yoga students don't practice vigorous styles offor around 5,000 years.
Yoga."When a Yoga student becomes serious about
While this is debatable, my questions to them were aspracticing on a regular basis, this is a lifestyle change.
follows, "How many of you practice Yoga?" Have youBurning over 200 calories per hour in a gentle or
ever heard of Kundalini Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga,Restorative Yoga class is not the foundation of weight
Vinyasa Yoga, Hot Yoga, Power Yoga, Bikram Yoga,control. Most Yoga students engage in some form of
and more vigorous Hatha Yoga styles?cross training.
To make a small comparison, I can't really comment onMany of them walk, take other fitness classes, and
the game of Cricket, just because I am familiar withare conscious of what they eat. Being mindful of what
baseball. I can appreciate the similarity and skill, butyou eat is a point that the masses have lost. Eating
never had the experience of playing the game. Also,nutritionally dense food, in moderation, and being mindful
just like Yoga, Cricket requires time, practice, andat the dinner table is a recipe for a lifetime of weight
patience, in order to acquire skill.control.