Hey My name is Elyce Elowen. I do yoga every day and train people to be yoga teachers. I’m excited to go on this trip with you. In this blog, I will talk about somatic yoga for weight loss.
Somatic yoga could be the answer if you want to lose weight in a calm, effective approach while also caring for your mind and body.
This unique yoga technique focuses on increasing body awareness, reducing Stress, and improving physical movement—all of which can help with weight management.
In this article, we’ll look at what somatic yoga is, how it helps with weight reduction, and why it could be the key to achieving your fitness goals sustainably and stress-free.
What Is Somatic Yoga?
Somatic yoga mixes classic yoga postures with somatics or internal bodily awareness. This means that rather than focusing solely on physical motions or poses, somatic yoga encourages you to become aware of how your body feels while practicing.
The goal is to reduce tension, increase flexibility, and foster a stronger connection between your mind and body.
Somatic yoga differs from fast-paced workouts and high-intensity yoga sessions because it is slow, thoughtful, and relaxing.
It’s about listening to your body and moving purposefully rather than forcing oneself into difficult poses or strenuous exercises.
This technique suits people of all fitness levels, including beginners and those recuperating from an injury.
How Somatic Yoga Supports Weight Loss
At first glance, somatic yoga may not seem like a workout designed for weight loss. After all, it doesn’t involve running, jumping, or lifting heavy weights. [1]
However, this mind-body practice can help you shed pounds in several important ways:
What to Wear to Yoga: Simple Tips for Every Session
1. Reducing Stress
Stress is one of the leading causes of weight gain. Over the years, Stress triggers a release of the hormone cortisol, which is known to cause overeating and storage of fats in the abdominal region.
Practical somatic yoga can be understood by mentioning that yogic exercises used in this approach have a positive effect on the interception level and can help regulate tension in the nervous system. [2]
2. Boosting Metabolism
Even though somatic yoga has a low impact, it can actually improve your metabolic rate.
The movements cause the blood flow and oxygen to some of your muscles to be improved so that the body can make better use of the calories.
This is so because the more you pay attention to how your body moves, the better your posture and balance become and, therefore, improve your efficiency in activities like walking or climbing stairs, which are healthier ways of getting rid of calories. [3]
3. Improving Body Awareness
The second major concept of somatic yoga is focused on body awareness, which is quite different from any form of yoga.
Pay attention to the signals you receive from your body, and thus, you develop an awareness of your movement and your state.
It can also help encourage you to make better food choices and prevent overindulging. [4]
4. Promoting Mindful Eating
The point that is often distinguished for losing weight is not only the physical activity but also the diet. Due to somatic yoga practice, one can learn how to be mindful, and it applies to eating habits as well.
What really helped me was just trying brief exercises of mindfulness, of being fully aware of my body and its needs and desires, in the hope that this will translate into being more mindful about what I’m putting into my body and why.
It can reduce the number of cases of people eating as a result of stress or boredom, which is a major enemy of weight loss regimes. [5]
Somatic Yoga Practices for Weight Loss
If you’re ready to give somatic yoga a try, here are a few simple practices you can incorporate into your routine to help with weight loss:
Learn About Kosha Yoga Momma: A Complete Guide
1. Body Scan Meditation
A body scan meditation promotes greater awareness of your body’s sensations. Lie on the mat, close your eyes, and take deep breaths.
Slowly focus on each area of your body, beginning with your toes and progressing upward.
Pay attention to any areas of tension and work to relieve them with each breath. This technique relieves Stress and tension, allowing you to become more in tune with your body. [6]
2. Cat-Cow Pose (Chakravakasana)
This simple practice involves alternating between arcing and rounding your spine to stretch your back, neck, and shoulders.
Move gently and thoughtfully, paying attention to how your body feels during each action. This can increase your spine’s flexibility while also reducing tension.
3. Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana)
The bridge pose strengthens your core and glutes while also stretching your chest and neck. Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
Slowly lift your hips toward the ceiling, holding the position for a few breaths before lowering back down.
This pose helps build strength in your lower body and encourages better posture.
3 Person Yoga Poses: The Best Moves for Team Balance
Case Study:
Words of [StringAndPaperclips]
Real Life Practical Example or Case Study of person (StringAndPaperclips)
I do Somatic Experiencing trauma therapy for PTSD. My practitioner had taught me a number of easy exercises to relieve tension and stress. Over time, the therapy plus the exercises have made a noticeable difference in the amount of tension in hold in my body, both in the muscles and fascia . Reddit
VeryFit Life Final Words
This is a type of yoga that can change the way you approach weight loss since it’s much more than just a calorie-counter Workout.
Somatic yoga is accessible for all fitness levels because, according to seasoned practitioners, it focusses on developing gentle awareness rather than challenging the body to its limits.
In this case, concentrating on improving body awareness and cutting down on Stress, as well as encouraging mindful exercising, assists in cultivating a healthier and more balanced lifestyle.
If you are a beginner at yoga practice or are on the lookout for a low-impact practice to incorporate into your workout regime, somatic yoga will perfectly fit into your weight loss journey.
Source:
Somatic exercises for weight loss: Do they work? | Juniper. (n.d.).
Rd, J. K. M. (2023, July 12). 16 simple ways to relieve stress. Healthline.
Crna, R. N. M. (2024, May 15). How to increase your metabolism.
Body awareness | Definition & Activities – Lesson | Study.com. (n.d.). study.com.
Mindful eating. (2024, May 9). The Nutrition Source.
Neurofit, T. (2024, September 26). Somatic Exercises for weight loss — NEUROFIT. NEUROFIT.
Disclaimer: The content provided on this site is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any new exercise program, particularly if you have pre-existing medical conditions or concerns. The website and its creators are not responsible for any injuries, damages, or adverse effects that may result from using the information provided. Use of this website constitutes acceptance of these terms.
