Can yoga help with weight loss?
May 09, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Generally speaking, yoga can be somewhat helpful for weight loss. During yoga practice, the body's muscles are exercised and stretched, thereby burning some calories. Although the calorie consumption from yoga may not be as high as that of high-intensity aerobic exercises such as running or swimming, practicing yoga consistently over a long period can accumulate enough calorie expenditure to achieve a certain weight-loss effect.
Generally speaking, yoga can be somewhat helpful for weight loss, but the effectiveness varies depending on individual circumstances. Here is a detailed analysis:
As a form of physical and mental exercise, yoga includes various postures and breathing control techniques. During practice, the body's muscles are exercised and stretched, thus consuming a certain amount of calories. Although calorie consumption from yoga may not be as high as that from high-intensity aerobic exercises such as running or swimming, consistent long-term practice can accumulate to produce a certain weight-loss effect.
However, weight loss results vary from person to person. Individuals with a higher basal metabolic rate naturally expend more energy at rest and may burn more calories during yoga practice due to increased metabolic activity, potentially leading to better weight loss results. Conversely, individuals with lower metabolic rates burn calories more slowly, so relying solely on yoga may not be sufficient to achieve rapid weight loss. In such cases, combining yoga with other methods to boost metabolic rate, such as balanced nutrition and other aerobic exercises, is recommended.
During weight loss periods, it is advisable to maintain adequate sleep to support normal metabolic function and hormonal balance, which also aids in weight management.
