In the Vedic hierarchy, there are four Vedas, the oldest texts of Hinduism – Rigveda, Samveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda. The earliest recorded mention of the word “yoga” is in the ancient Indian text- the Rig Veda, which dates back to around 1500 BCE. Also in Atharva Veda, there is a mention of breath control.
The science of Yoga has its origins thousands of years ago, long before the first religions or belief systems were born. In fact, in yogic lore, Mahadev, or Lord Shiva is seen as the first yogi or the Adiyogi. All those who opt for Online Yoga Live Classes for weight loss should remember this rich history and origin of yoga.
To a lesser or larger extent, we are all caught up in this vicious cycle of giving into the temptation of consuming delicious but heavy and unhealthy food options; and then frantically searching for ways to shed the inevitable weight gain.
There are always some fad diets doing the rounds and myriad exercise programs springing up, all of which have their merits and are helpful as well; but two crucial facets I can see them lacking in are – one, not being a very balanced system of health and secondly lacking sustainability. This becomes clearer as I go on ….
As a yoga teacher and long time yoga practitioner I can definitely vouch for yoga being a steady and sensible means of keeping ourselves healthy and our weight in check.
My Points Below Highlight Yoga’s Role in Weight Loss
In yoga, our physical asana practice is accompanied by pranayama (breathing exercises) and meditation, which continuously shapes and moulds us into becoming beings with depth and consciousness, who then themselves turn away from unhealthy eating and snacking because their internal systems now naturally crave simple ‘satvik’ (pure) food. Continuous yoga practice changes us both externally & internally as well, so staying on this path brings depth to our thoughts and actions.
Since yoga can be tailored to our requirements and its pace and intensity can be altered to suit our age and fitness level, it is a very sustainable practice. It can be done lifelong, even till one is a hundred years old. Even in an Online Group Class one can modify postures and do them to suit one’s own level of expertise. I keep pointing out to my students how to modify postures. Whereas very strenuous exercising like aerobics is suitable only until one is young. So, continuity of practice, achievable through yoga, is key in keeping our weight in check.
The biggest advantage yoga has over other exercise systems for weight loss and keeping weight under control is its impact on the hormonal system. The endocrine glands in our body produce and release vital and dynamic hormones for the correct functioning of all body systems. These hormones must be produced and released in the precise quantities required. The various twists, bends, stretches and inversions in yoga ensure that all of these key glands are massaged and coaxed into strong and balanced functioning. If there is any malfunctioning in our endocrine system, it will cause disruption in the body, including conditions like weight gain. For instance if the thyroid gland gets sluggish, one of the side effects will be weight gain. No other exercise form has the kind of body contortions that yoga does – this detailed body movement allows us to activate and massage all the glands thoroughly.
Yoga and all exercise systems, as also a good diet and sufficient sleep help enhance the production of serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters associated with feelings of happiness and well-being. The mind-body connection fostered by yoga helps individuals become more self-aware, promoting emotional resilience and better-coping mechanisms, better eating habits.
Digestive issues, such as bloating, indigestion, and constipation, can disrupt daily life and cause discomfort. Yoga plays a vital role in promoting digestive health. Twisting poses, like Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Lord of the Fishes pose), and forward and back bends massage the internal organs, aiding in better digestion and elimination, leading to the side benefit of a trim physique.
Furthermore, regular yoga practice helps reduce stress-related digestive problems. The parasympathetic nervous system, responsible for the “rest and digest” response is activated by the stimulation of nerve connections during posture practice and also via alternate nostril breathing exercise. (Anuloma Viloma Pranayama). Release from stress will also counteract emotional eating, thus preventing weight gain.
All yoga practices like yoga nidra, meditation pranayama and posture practice lead to improvement in the quality of sleep. This allows deep repair work and rejuvenation to occur in our body, aiding in weight control.
Harsh exercising like very heavy weight lifting can lead to injuries and burn out. Yoga, which is practiced mindfully, can be done lifelong. I am 61 years old right now (July 2023) and I can happily declare that I am able to do my yoga as easily today as I could thirty years ago.
In Conclusion – let’s remember, Eons ago, on the Himalayan banks of the Kantisarovar Lake, Adiyogi shared his in-depth, spiritual knowledge of yoga with the legendary ‘seven sages’ or ‘Saptarishis’. From there, the sages carried the knowledge of this powerful yogic science across the globe.
Yoga is about harmonizing oneself with the universe and aligning individual geometry with cosmic vibration to achieve the highest level of harmony and perception.
Want to practice yoga sensibly and with a professional? Opt for my Online Yoga Classes in Gurgaon – ‘Yoga With Sapna’ and not just lose unwanted weight but embrace all the psycho-physical advantages of Yoga.