The history of yoga is key for you to lose weight from yoga because to obtain the best results you will find it useful to understand the principles of yoga and its origins. 

You would certainly need to go back many millennia to find out the origins of yoga, which is an ancient practice that has been practiced in India and which signifies a union, or a way of doing things. According to whatever history of yoga is available, it is believed that it was an Indian sage named Patanjali who was the first to make a complete guide on yoga.

Yoga Sutra - The Basis of Modern Yoga

According to the early history of yoga, it is a book called Yoga Sutra that was written as many as 2000 years ago that is thought to be the basis for the yoga that is being practiced today. The Yoga Sutra contained eight limbs of yoga. In fact, yoga is know to have branched off in many directions and you can find forms of yoga that delve into meditation, or on channeling emotions and there is something to suit every person’s needs and preferences.

The trouble with studying the history of yoga is that there are many periods where the thread is broken due to the very nature of recording how yoga was practiced. Because of oral transmissions pertaining to sacred texts as well as the inherent secrecy contained in early teachings, the history of yoga from ancient times is somewhat unclear. Nevertheless, there are known to have been early recordings of yoga that date back more than 5000 years.

Four Periods

There is no doubting the fact that the history of yoga is rich, and it has four main periods in which it has developed as well as innovated. The earliest known beginnings of yoga can be traced to the Pre-Classical Period that goes back more than 5000 years. Then is the Classical Period when yoga was systemized and was written down in ancient India about the time of the second century, and this is when the noted sage named Patanjali organized yoga practice into the “eight limbed path.”

The history of yoga progressed further into the Post-Classical Period and this came about a few hundred years after Patanjali, and it was a time when the masters of yoga created many different practices that were meant to rejuvenate the body as well help a person to live longer. In fact, this was a time when the teachings of the sages that preceded them were rejected and the physical body became the focus of attention in order to gain enlightenment.

Yoga as we know it today is that part of the history of yoga that is referred to as the Modern Period and dates to about the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century. This was a time when the masters of yoga could travel to distant places including the Western world and taught this form of exercise to distant audiences.

The early 20th century saw a transformation in the history of yoga when hatha yoga began to find prominence in India and it was embodied most noticeably in the works of T. Krishnamacharya. It then saw another change with the opening of the yoga studio in Hollywood in 1947 by a woman named Indra Devi and the story goes on to where we see yoga today. Thousands of people have been inspired by yoga and its health benefits, losing weight being one of great benefits.

 

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Yoga is wonderful for nurturing a state of mental and physical well being . It promotes a balanced and healthy lifestyle, and yoga techniques can be applied also to removing excess weight, thus bringing you an extra benefit, that is if being overweight is a problem to you.

Practicing yoga will increase your metabolism. An increased metabolism leads to an increase in the calorie burning process, so combining yoga with a calorie burning program may bring you excellent results. Of course, the use of yoga is no rapid weight loss method. Used over a period of time, though, it can bring good results. If you keep to the rigours imposed by yoga discipline, you should gain a holistic, long term solution to balance your life style and help you reduce and prevent any surplus weight. In addition to losing weight, you will also experience an increased ability to concentrate and focus, higher resistance to stress factors, and overall a healthier way of life.

Let me just explain a little more about how yoga will benefit you. Your metabolism is regulated by the thyroid, a component of the endocrine system. The thyroid is responsible for the chemical processes in your body that transform food into energy. Yoga uses a series of twisting poses that stimulate the work flow of the internal organs, thus boosting metabolism. This in turn burns more calories, and reduces your body weight. Improved local blood circulation is another direct effect of the use of yoga postures, which leads to a healthier, more energetic body. When the calorie intake is lower than the calorie output, your body will start burning fat cells to acquire the necessary energy. A perfectly healthy and strong metabolism takes this process even further, and you may well see better results than traditional weight loss formulas.

To stimulate metabolism, various back bends and forward bends are used. Poses that affect the neck area, where the thyroid gland is situated, are particularly helpful if the weight problem is caused by a hormonal imbalance. These poses can be those of the camel, rabbit, plow, bridge and shoulder stand. Moving quickly between a series of poses can accelerate the process. To those who are well overweight, some of the bends may prove to be a difficult. If you fall into that category, don’t despair. You should gradually increase the difficulty of the postures until you have the confidence to go to more complex exercises. This is not a test or a competition; you need to be relaxed and at ease, and just do what you can. Each time, you will probably find it that much easier, and you can do a little more.

To strengthen muscles, you use standing poses, such as the warrior. The use of standing poses will aid a higher level of endurance, and an increased caloric output. You may energize the body and increase your metabolism even more by using Kapalabhati and Ujjayi Pranayama.

A good diet should also be followed to support this holistic weight loss system. You should try to eat foods that are rich in fibre, vegetables, fruit, whole grains, while eating less high fat and processed food items. Balance is essential in all matters concerning your diet. variety is good, as is modest consumption.

A gradual approach is essential with all yoga practices. Do not expect results to be spectacular and immediate, but this is one of the best long term weight loss methods available. In addition to weight loss, you can also benefit from an increased protection against adverse factors through your improved immune system and sense of well being. Hopefully, too, you will feel an inner peace that will assist you in losing weight without succumbing to all the pressures and temptations.

Roy Thomsitt is owner and part author of http://www.routes-to-self-improvement.com

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We all know that yoga is good for your health and well-being, but does how does it tie into weight loss? After all, it isn’t aerobic exercise so can it really help to shed pounds?

A recent study conducted by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, WA investigated the effects of yoga on weight, which is the first study to investigate the role between the two. More than 15,000 participants were asked to recall their physical activity patterns and weight history between the ages of 45 and 55. The study found that during this period, most people gain about 1 pound each year. The people who practiced yoga at least 30 minutes once a week for four or more years gained 3 pounds less weight than the non-yoga participants.

This is not necessarily staggering results but it gets better! Both men and women who were overweight at the beginning of the period and who started to practice yoga lost about five pounds, while those who were yoga free gained an average of 14 pounds within the next ten years. Now that is news! Imagine what the results would be for people practicing yoga 2-3 times a week.

The researchers have not concluded why the yoga participants lost more weight especially when most of them were not in advanced levels. More studies are needed at this time to give us more insight into the topic.

Participating in regular yoga classes and even getting good enough to venture into some advanced classes, has so many benefits. Here is what yoga can do for you.

• Physical Benefits: Creates a toned, flexible, and strong body…yes, it helps to build muscle which will also help to improve your metabolism. It also promotes cardio and circulatory health.

• Mental Benefits: Helps you relax and handle stress more easily. Teaches you to quiet all that chatter in your mind so you can focus on how you want to direct your energy. Encourages positive thoughts and self-acceptance. This alone can do a lot for those emotional/stress eaters out there.

• Spiritual Benefits: This is a nondenominational value that helps to build awareness of your body, your feelings, and the world around you. It also helps you to learn patience, forgiveness, and the value of gentleness. We all could use some regular reminders of this!

So why not join a yoga class? It can add so many benefits to your life and now you can add weight management to the list! Take action and sign up for an introductory class today!

Meri Raffetto is a Registered Dietitian and a recognized professional in the area of nutrition and wellness.
Learn about her online Balance Weight Loss Program and sign up for her free monthly newsletter to receive nutrition tips, inspirational stories, and healthy recipes.

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