What Forms Of Yoga Burns The Most Calories?

Many people turn to yoga for its numerous health benefits, including stress relief, flexibility, and strength building. However, some may also be interested in using yoga as a way to burn calories and lose weight. While yoga is not traditionally considered an aerobic exercise, there are certain types of yoga that are more physical and can help burn calories.

Active, intense styles of yoga such as Vinyasa, Power, and Ashtanga can help you burn the most calories. These styles involve continuous movement and flowing sequences of poses, which can elevate your heart rate and increase your metabolism. In addition to these styles, certain poses such as Plank, Chair, and Chaturanga can also help you burn more calories.

It’s important to note that the number of calories burned during a yoga session can vary depending on several factors, including the type of yoga, the length and intensity of the class, and individual factors such as age, weight, and gender. However, incorporating more active and challenging styles of yoga into your routine can be a great way to supplement your weight loss efforts and improve your overall health and fitness.

Understanding Yoga and Calories

Yoga is a popular form of exercise that has been around for centuries. It is known for its ability to improve flexibility, strength, and balance, as well as promote relaxation and reduce stress.

But can it also help with weight loss? The answer is yes, but it depends on several factors, including the type of yoga and the intensity and duration of the practice. When it comes to burning calories, yoga can be an effective way to shed some extra pounds.

However, it is important to note that not all yoga practices are created equal in terms of calorie-burning potential. Some styles of yoga are more vigorous and fast-paced, while others are slower and more gentle.

According to Healthline, a yoga session can burn between 180 and 460 calories, depending on several factors, including the type of yoga, the length and intensity of the class, and whether the practitioner is male or female.

For example, a one-hour session of Hatha yoga, which is a slower and more gentle style, can burn around 200 calories on average. On the other hand, a one-hour session of Vinyasa Flow, which is a more vigorous and fast-paced style, can burn up to 550 calories on average.

It is important to keep in mind that burning calories is just one aspect of a yoga practice. Yoga offers a range of physical and mental benefits that go beyond weight loss, such as improved flexibility, strength, balance, and mental clarity.

Also yoga can be a great way to reduce stress and promote relaxation, which can have a positive impact on overall health and wellbeing.

Yoga Styles That Burn the Most Calories

There are many types of yoga, and while all of them offer a wealth of physical and mental benefits, some styles are better than others when it comes to burning calories. Here are some of the yoga styles that burn the most calories:

Vinyasa Yoga

Vinyasa yoga is a fast-paced style of yoga that involves moving through a series of poses, or asanas, in a continuous flow. This type of yoga is known for its cardiovascular benefits and can help you burn up to 550 calories per hour approximately.

Power Yoga

Power yoga is a more intense version of vinyasa yoga that focuses on building strength and stamina. This style of yoga often involves holding poses for longer periods and incorporating more challenging poses, such as arm balances and inversions. Power yoga can help you burn up to 600 calories per hour approximately.

Bikram Yoga

Bikram yoga, also known as hot yoga, is practiced in a room heated to around 105 degrees Fahrenheit. This style of yoga involves a set sequence of 26 poses and two breathing exercises, and can help you burn up to 500 calories per hour approximately.

Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga yoga is a physically demanding style of yoga that involves a set sequence of poses that are performed in a specific order. This style of yoga is known for its challenging poses and can help you burn up to 400 calories per hour approximately.

Hatha Yoga

Hatha yoga is a gentle style of yoga that focuses on breath control and relaxation. While it may not burn as many calories as some of the more intense styles of yoga, it can still help you burn up to 200 calories per hour approximately.

It’s important to note that the number of calories you burn during a yoga practice will depend on a variety of factors, including your body weight, the intensity of your practice, and the length of your session. However, practicing one of these yoga styles can be a great way to increase your calorie burn and reach your fitness goals.

Also Read: Is Yoga Just About Weight Loss Or Also A Way Of Life?

How To Maximize Calorie Burn During Yoga Practice

Yoga is known for its numerous benefits, including increased flexibility, improved balance, and reduced stress levels. But did you know that yoga can also help you burn calories and lose weight? Here are some tips on how to maximize calorie burn during your yoga practice:

Choose the right type of yoga: Not all yoga styles are created equal when it comes to calorie burn. Some styles, like Vinyasa and Power yoga, are more vigorous and fast-paced, which can help you burn more calories. On the other hand, styles like Restorative and Yin yoga are slower and more relaxing, which may not be as effective for weight loss.

Incorporate strength-based poses: Poses that require you to engage your muscles and hold your body weight, like Plank, Chaturanga, and Warrior III, can help you build strength and burn calories. Incorporating these poses into your yoga practice can increase your heart rate and metabolism, leading to more calorie burn.

Add some cardio: While yoga is not typically thought of as a cardio workout, adding some high-intensity movements like jumping jacks, mountain climbers, or burpees can help you increase your heart rate and burn more calories. Consider adding a few minutes of cardio to the beginning or end of your yoga practice.

Practice in a heated room: Hot yoga classes, like Bikram and Hot Power yoga, take place in rooms that are heated to 90-105 degrees Fahrenheit. This heat can help increase your heart rate and metabolism, leading to more calorie burn. Just be sure to stay hydrated and listen to your body if you feel overheated.

Lengthen your practice: The longer you practice yoga, the more calories you will burn. Consider adding an extra 10-15 minutes to your yoga practice, or attending longer classes, to increase your calorie burn. Incorporating these tips into your yoga practice can help you maximize your calorie burn and achieve your weight loss goals. Remember to listen to your body and practice safely, and always consult with your healthcare provider before starting a new exercise routine.

Benefits of Yoga for Weight Loss

Yoga has been known to provide numerous benefits for the mind and body, and weight loss is one of them. Here are some of the ways that yoga can aid in weight loss:

Burns Calories: Certain types of yoga, such as Power Yoga or Ashtanga Yoga, can be quite vigorous and can help burn a significant amount of calories. Even gentler forms of yoga, such as Hatha Yoga or Restorative Yoga, can still help burn calories and aid in weight loss.

Increases Muscle Mass: Yoga involves holding various poses for extended periods, which can help build and tone muscles. Increased muscle mass can help boost metabolism and burn more calories even while at rest.

Reduces Stress: Stress can contribute to weight gain by increasing the production of cortisol, a hormone that can lead to increased fat storage. Yoga can help reduce stress levels, which can in turn aid in weight loss.

Improves Digestion: Certain yoga poses, such as twists and forward folds, can help stimulate digestion and aid in the elimination of waste. Improved digestion can help the body better absorb nutrients and eliminate toxins, which can also aid in weight loss.

Encourages Mindful Eating: Practicing yoga can help increase mindfulness and awareness, which can translate to more mindful eating habits. Mindful eating can help individuals better tune in to their body’s hunger and fullness cues, which can aid in weight loss. In summary, yoga can be a beneficial tool for weight loss, as it can help burn calories, increase muscle mass, reduce stress, improve digestion, and encourage mindful eating habits.

Related Read: What Are The Yoga Sutras For Rapid Weight Loss?

Conclusion

When it comes to burning calories, yoga can be an effective exercise option. However, the number of calories burned during a yoga session can vary greatly depending on several factors, including the type of yoga, the length and intensity of the class, and the individual’s body composition.

Active, intense styles of yoga such as Ashtanga, Vinyasa, and Power Yoga are examples of more physical types of yoga that can help burn the most calories. These styles of yoga can engage major muscle groups, including the abs, shoulders, and glutes, while forcing the body to resist gravity.

According to research, a person can burn between 180 and 460 calories during a yoga session, depending on the factors mentioned above. Sun salutations (Surya Namaskar) can burn a significant amount of calories too, while helping to maintain optimal body fitness.

It’s important to keep in mind that the number of calories burned during a yoga session is just one factor to consider when choosing a yoga practice. Other benefits of yoga include increased flexibility, strength, balance, and stress reduction.

Ultimately, the best form of yoga for burning the most calories is the one that an individual enjoys and can commit to practicing regularly. By finding a style of yoga that is challenging yet enjoyable, individuals can reap the many physical and mental benefits of this ancient practice while also burning calories and improving overall health and wellbeing.