How Many Calories Does Yoga Burn?

Category: Yoga |

Most people practice yoga for building strength, muscle tone and concentration, using a cardiovascular activity such as aerobics or running to aid weight loss. However, all physical activity counts towards improving your fitness and weight loss. So if you are wondering ‘how many calories does yoga burn?’, then read on.

We have been finding out which types of yoga are the most effective fat busters, and it turns out that there is a huge difference depending on which form of yoga you practice. Basically, you need to raise your pulse rate in order to exercise to lose weight, and some forms of yoga are simply too gentle for this.

The information given here about calories burned during yoga is based on an hour-long session, led by a professional instructor.

Hatha Yoga

This is the type normally taught in beginners’ classes. It is heavily focused on breathing techniques and will burn about 175 calories. We have included it here as you are likely to be familiar with it, so it is a good point for comparison.

Ashtanga Yoga

With this yoga type you work a little harder on poses, but there is still an emphasis on breathing so don’t expect a huge burn. This will help you lose around 300 calories per session.

Hot Yoga

How many calories does yoga burn? A lot if you’re doing hot yoga! Often called Bikram yoga, this is performed in a heated room meaning you have to work much harder to keep up with the brisk pace. Expect to burn an impressive 600 calories with this method.

Vinyasa Yoga

Often combined with Ashtanga yoga, this requires quick movement from one pose to the next, so the pulse is raised more. An hour of this will burn roughly 450 calories, which you would get if you jogged gently for the same length of time.

If you wish to use yoga for weight loss, you really need to practice two or three times a week to see results. Opt for one of the more intensive forms, and give it your all. Be sure to tell your instructor of your weight loss intentions and they can let you know when they feel you are ready to move on to a more intensive class. If yoga is a form of exercise you enjoy then stick with it as research has found that people are more likely to give up if they feel bored or pressurized into exercise they don’t like. So, how many calories does yoga burn? Well, how many calories burned doing yoga can be as little or as much as you want, you just have to choose your class wisely.