Tag Archives: fitness

Will you lose weight by doing yoga?

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There are hundreds of diet books out there. Some suggest certain types of food, others talk about the size of plates and portions. You can find weight loss plans in most daily newspapers and men’s and women’s magazines.

lose weight by doing yoga?
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Let’s face it some are fads.  There really is no magic bullet. You have to burn more calories than you eat. That’s it. The type of food and the size of portions can help, but for most people exercise is by far the best long-term.

Yoga isn’t as aerobically intense as some other types of exercise, like running, but it can help you lose weight especially if you combine it with a few lifestyle changes.

It has many physical benefits. Regular yoga can help keep your spine supple and your core strong. It will help you keep good balance and poise. It also tones and strengthens your muscles, helps boost your immune system and metabolism.

I find that Yoga makes you feel better about yourself and builds confidence. Like any exercise using yoga to lose weight all depends on the style you do and how often.

Try an hour and a half of a more aerobic style of yoga 3 times per week. Or more. Something like Ashtanga, Power, or Bikram yoga

To lose weight by doing yoga you need to think about other changes to your lifestyle. This includes getting enough rest and relaxation, drinking plenty of water, eating a balanced diet, and looking after yourself emotionally. Yoga will help with the exercise and emotional elements.

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So we’re talking good exercise, good breathing, good relaxation and good diet. Take breathing. Before I started doing yoga I didn’t realise how shallow my breathing was. Now it is deeper. Slower. You really notice the difference.

Along with your aerobic yoga 3 or more times per week, also try to mix it with a more gentle yoga style like Hatha yoga so that it is not all about intensity. Then the key is to stick with it and make a really consistent effort.

Over to you: I’d love to hear about how yoga has helped to change your life. Whether you have tried to lose weight by doing yoga or just got fitter. Leave a message and share your stories. And please tweet this article to your followers.

Great experiences covering yoga classes in Edinburgh

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I love being a fitness and yoga teacher. What motivates me most is meeting so many people and seeing them make a difference to their lives. They get fitter. Most lose weight. They get stronger and more flexible. And by teaching regular classes I notice the changes and that makes it worthwhile.

Covering yoga classes in edinburgh
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Sometimes I cover other instructors classes when they are on holiday or sick. Walking into a class full of strangers is more daunting but it is just as satisfying.

The only slight problem when covering a yoga class is pitching it at the right level. With other per-choreographed exercise classes such as Body Balance and Body Combat you don’t have to worry about this because everyone is teaching the same moves. With yoga you might make it harder or easier than the usual teacher. Getting the balance right is key.

So I’ve just been out on the road covering yoga classes in Edinburgh. It’s been a week of great experiences.

First up was a hatha yoga class. This is usually the gentlest form of practice. But the instructor had tipped me off that the participants like a little more intensity. So I upped the number of sun salutations and introduced more flowing sequences. One lady was new to class and was pregnant and slightly concerned about exercising. With options she did extremely well. She said she’d be back. I hope she continues once the baby arrives.

Next is was power yoga. Due to last-minute problems at the club I had to teach the class in the bar of the functions suite. The room was very hot and everyone was dripping with sweat at the end. I guess we all found out what hot yoga is like.

Covering yoga classes in edinburgh
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As the sweat dried on my forehead, I drove quickly to the next venue for another hatha yoga class. For this one I knew I had to be more gentle. So I emphasised calmness, deep breath and long stretches. Yoga is so versatile. Tough and sweaty in one class and then calm and collected in another.

I saved the best class to cover for last. More hatha yoga . What was great about it? It was an hour and a half whereas the others were only for an hour. The extra 30 minutes makes a massive difference. You can spend more time at the beginning and at the end really exploring breath. You can hold the poses for longer and really feel the benefits.

One lady came up afterwards to say how much she enjoyed the pigeon and frog poses. These really open up the hips. We stayed in them for minutes and not seconds.

That long class was a great end to a wonderful week of covering yoga classes in Edinburgh.

Over to you: I’d love to hear your stories of covering yoga classes. Please leave a comment or share a link.

Have a look at the sizzler video preview for Les Mills Body Combat release 54

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I’m still teaching all of Body Combat 53 (though I’m dumping Swagger Jagger soon). The Quarterly Workshop for the next one is not until early December, which means we won’t see it in clubs until the New Year. But to wet our appetite Les Mills have already released a preview video number 54.

Have a look if you want but beware there are music and moves spoilers coming up.

Click here to Tweet this video.

Over to you: I hope you enjoyed this sizzler video preview for Les Mills Body Combat release 54. Let me know what you think. Leave a message below.

Have a look at the sizzler video preview for Les Mills Body Balance release 59

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I am still enjoying teaching Body Balance 58. And although I don’t go on the training on the for the next one until early December, which means we won’t see it in clubs until the New Year, they’ve already released a preview video number 59.

Have a look if you want but beware there are music and moves spoilers coming up.

Click here to Tweet this video.

Over to you: I hope you enjoyed this sizzler video preview for Les Mills Body Balance release 59. Let me know what you think. Leave a message below.