Can Yoga Help You Lose Weight?

One question my friends often ask me is whether yoga can help with weight loss.
My answer is: it depends.

It depends on the kind of yoga you practice and how often you practice it.
If your yoga sessions are mainly for relaxation, stretching, or unwinding, then probably not. But if you practice dynamic styles like Ashtanga or Power Yoga, which involve continuous movement and strength, then yes — yoga can help you lose weight.

That said, I don’t believe yoga should be practiced for the purpose of losing weight.
As a friend of mine, an Ashtanga yogi, once said — “That’s very unyogi.”

Yoga is a union of body, mind, and spirit. If your only goal is to lose weight, you’re missing the deeper essence of the practice — the transformation of your mind and spirit.

Every time we step onto the mat, we set an intention: to start from where we are, and go as far as we can.
There will always be struggles —
Why can’t I get that asana?
I’m tired, maybe I should stop.
Chaturanga again? My muscles are screaming!

These thoughts come up again and again throughout the practice, no matter how many years you’ve been doing yoga.
What matters is how you deal with them — how you talk to yourself, and how you keep going.

Through yoga, we learn to accept our limitations, our imperfections, and yet, we continue to move forward. Every time you stand on the mat, you’ve already succeeded.

Did I lose weight after ten years of practice?
Actually, I did — just about 5 kilograms.
But what I’m proud of isn’t the number on the scale.
It’s my consistency — the fact that I’ve shown up for my practice, day after day.

And I’m sure you’ll find your own kind of pride in yoga too.