When a new student joins my yoga classes, I have them introduce themselves to the class. As a part of the introduction, they are asked to tell why they decided to join a yoga class. One of the common reasons mentioned is weight loss. Of course, many students have doubts as to how yoga, which is generally a gentler form of exercise, can help you lose weight. Most people tend to identify weight loss with vigorous physical activities in a gym or a fitness center – treadmill, pumping iron etc.
How to lose weight?
I always start by asking "is there anyone who doesn’t know how to lose weight?". The formula for losing weight is quite simple and known to everyone – EAT LESS, EXERCISE MORE! So how come people are not able to implement this formula? The answer is simple – lack of discipline. Because people lack self-discipline, they end up joining some "crash weight loss program". They stay with the program for a short time, maybe lose a few pounds, but don’t have the will-power to stay with the same regimen. As a result, they not only regain the lost pounds, but in most cases add a few additional pounds to their weight. All this, of course, leads to more frustration and more stress.
When you think of the above scenario, it becomes clear that losing weight is not just about losing calories. It is more about developing a strong will-power and a highly disciplined approach. This is where yoga comes in.
How do we develop cravings for certain foods?
Let’s say you decided to try a new type of cake. After the very first bite you are "hooked". You really enjoy the cake and a memory of this experience gets lodged in the mind. This memory takes the form of a desire which slowly, with the help of ego, takes the shape of a deep craving. Next time you see the cake, your ego will force you to eat the cake, based on past experience, even though you’ve just had a full meal. Unfortunately, we repeat this scenario far too frequently with the obvious result of adding pounds to our weight and inches to the waist-line.
The main culprit in fueling our craving is our ego. It is the ego that clouds and controls our pure intellect and lures us into doing actions that are harmful for us. The ego loves to dwell on past memories and brings up emotions, feelings, desires based on past experience, without any concern for the future outcome of the actions.
It is the practice of yoga which helps us weaken the link between the ego, memories and the intellect. Through a regular practice of yoga, one begins to sharpen the pure intellect which results in developing discriminatory wisdom and weaken the influence of the ego in decision-making.
The yoga practice
In this context, it is important that we understand what we mean by the practice of yoga. Most people tend to associate the word "yoga" only with the practice of asanas (physical postures) which is a very limited aspect of the yoga practice. In its true essence the practice of yoga includes all the eight limbs of yoga as defined by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. For a practical approach, the yoga practice must include asana, pranayama and meditation.
The asana practice, when done with full awareness at the body, breath and mind level, makes us more aware of our body’s needs and limitations. That way when we eat, we are more conscious of when to stop eating after we feel full to a certain level. It is also more important to become aware of the type of food we should eat. It is obviously important to avoid foods that are oily, deep-fried or otherwise lack in nutrition. It is helpful if you could practice a slightly more intense and invigorating asana practice that will help drop some calories as well. Please contact me if you would like specific guidelines on what asanas to include in your practice geared for weight management.
The practice of pranayama helps cleanse the nervous system, improve the functioning of the digestive system and also improve glandular functions. A good, healthy digestive system is very important for weight management. To develop control over our cravings, the practice of meditation plays a major role.
A regular practice of meditation helps us understand the involvement of ego versus the pure intellect in the choices that we make. Meditation helps us in calming the mind and weakening the cravings and desires. It also helps us manage our stress better.
With a regular practice of asana, pranayama and meditation, along with a healthy, balanced and nutrition-rich diet plan, you will not only reduce weight but also bring in a sense of well-being. You will be able to maintain all your vital organs – heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas etc in optimum health and improve your immune system.
I would love to hear from you about your own plans and activities for weight management.
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