10 Reasons Why Yoga Is Ideal For Overweight People

If you are overweight, there may be some poses that may be difficult for you to perform, but the practice of yoga can be very beneficial both physically as psychological. Learn more about its benefits.

Are you interested in the world of yoga, but do you think it is out of your reach because you are overweight? Well, you are wrong! Yoga for overweight people is very beneficial as it helps them burn fat and control anxiety.

Many personalities attest to the benefits of yoga practice. For example, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, has taken on the task of promoting this discipline as a matter of state, so that the people of his country enjoy its benefits in daily life.

The prime minister even shared a series of videos in which he himself, in an animated version, practices different postures   yogic. In them, he emphasizes the idea that yoga is a healthy option for everyone.

10 benefits of yoga for overweight people

Do you want more reasons to encourage you to attend your first yoga class? We list them below.

1. Improves breathing

Yoga practice can help you breathe better and more consciously. In fact, a study published by the Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology highlights the improvements that this activity produces in the resistance and strength of the respiratory muscles.

Being more aware of the breath will also make the nutrients reach all the organs more effectively, since the flow of oxygen will be greater. Thus, these will work more effectively and improve the functioning of the body in general.

2. Enhances security and self-esteem

Yoga is a great way to get started in a more active lifestyle. In addition, it is positive for overweight people because it can also help them improve self-esteem and confidence.

The advances you make in the practice of yoga, both physically and spiritually, will be important to renew your self-perception and the way you take on your daily life. With this, you will have control of your body and you will be able to improve your quality of life through physical activity.

3. Fight depression

Overweight people may have low self-esteem, which puts them at risk for depression. This is due to the insecurity they feel regarding their body or physical appearance.

In these cases, the practice of yoga can be beneficial, as it helps to treat mild depression. In this sense, research published in the Journal of Affective Disorders highlights the potential of this discipline, at least in not very complex cases. In addition, it is a way to reflect, meditate, gain confidence and maintain an active life.

4. Relieves stress

Breathing and reflection exercises, which are important in the postures that you will practice in yoga classes, will help you reduce stress and relax. With this, you will be more focused on working mentally and physically for your well-being and you will have a clear purpose.

Dedicating a moment of the day to meditation and deep breathing reduces the levels of cortisol, the stress hormone ; this effect is confirmed by a study published by Alternative Therapies in Health & Medicine . Constantly filling your lungs with fresh air will help you calm down to make decisions and face daily challenges.

5. Reduces physical discomfort

With continued yoga practice, headaches can be reduced, recent research published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine confirms .

In addition, the relaxation promoted by this discipline helps to lower blood pressure, in addition to fighting fatigue and insomnia. This could be due to increased brain oxygenation and the release of toxins that occur when you breathe deeply and gently.

So, as you progress through yoga classes, you will likely have more courage to do other activities that help you lose weight. Yoga will fill you with energy and motivation to eat healthy and maintain good habits for your well-being.

6. Generate progressive changes

It does not matter the weight or the size of your waist, since neither is an impediment to carry out the activity. However, in yoga classes you should not demand more from your body than it can give. You will see that, as you gain elasticity and confidence, you will achieve more difficult postures.

Yoga for overweight people is recommended because it allows you to progress progressively until you reach the highest possible degree of strength, flexibility and balance.

7. It is a low impact activity

Yoga is a good complement to a healthier lifestyle, but it does not demand drastic changes in lifestyle, since its demand is not high, at least for beginners. As the practice progresses, the positions increase in difficulty.

Although there are positions for those who are just starting out, the instructors make variations according to the physical capacities of their students. This allows you to start at an ideal level for you, which does not make you feel frustrated by the difficulty of doing some poses. The amount of time you dedicate to this activity will also depend on you.

8. Has effects on the endocrine system

Each yoga posture affects an area of ​​the body, at the muscular, nervous and hormonal level. Some of them are indicated in case you suffer from thyroid problems, for example.

So, if one of the causes of your overweight is hormonal problems, you can consider yoga as a good activity to combat them. Science supports this idea, since a study published by the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism confirms it as a possible complementary therapy for disorders of this system.

In case you suffer from a disease of this type, before starting the practice we recommend consulting with your doctor to obtain his approval, in addition to investigating what positions can be helpful to control the condition. The latter can also be consulted with your instructor.

9. Fight anxiety

We have already mentioned the spiritual and relaxing benefits of yoga, and this explains why it is considered an activity that can lower the anxiety levels of those who practice it. An investigation published by the Argentine Journal of Psychological Clinic confirms this potential of yoga , all thanks to the meditation and deep breathing that it requires.

The effects of yoga on the nervous system will help you focus on physical activity, and may even reduce the desire to eat incessantly.   That’s right, yoga could also influence a good diet!

10. Help meet your goals

If you are interested in doing a physical activity because you want to be healthier or lose weight, yoga is ideal for it. In addition to being an exercise, it is also a spiritual strengthening activity, so it will increase your willpower.

Doing yoga will give you moments of concentration and meditation in which you can encourage yourself to keep going. In addition to this, it will give you more capacity to wait patiently for the results of your effort.

Yoga as a tool for overweight people

From all that has been said, it can be concluded that the practice of yoga can help you strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, breathe correctly and, in general, feel better.

In addition, yoga for overweight people is beneficial because, beyond the energy expenditure involved, it promotes changes in lifestyle that favor a healthier life, as pointed out by a study published by Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine .

However, always keep in mind that you should not perform any posture for which you are not physically prepared, such as those in which a single part of the body supports all its weight.

Also, some poses such as padahastasana or balasana, in which you lean fully forward, can make breathing difficult. To avoid any difficulty or risk, it is advisable that you always practice under the guidance and supervision of a professional instructor.