By Amy Rankin
Yes, you can shed major kilos with yoga – think: burning 1 600kJ per class! And that’s just one of the reasons you need to hit the mat…
There’s a reason more and more yoga studios are opening up around South Africa: yoga is not only great for cross-training, stretching and mood improvement, it’s all about fat-burn, strength, toning and balance.
I can burn how much?
Besides the fact that you can burn around 1 600kJ in a hot yoga class, studies published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found a strong link between regular yoga practice and weight loss. The link? Mindful eating. Yoga teaches mindfulness – a key tool to take out of the room and into all aspects of your life.
Practising yoga has also been proven to slim down your midsection, because many of the poses require a strong core. Practising yoga improves core strength, posture and flexibility – all leading to a slimmer, more defined you!
And what about burning of a different kind? Phwoar!
Besides slimming down, yoga can help improve your sex life! A study in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that women under the age of 45 who had completed a 12-week yoga course reported experiencing better orgasms! It also helps to improve your sleep habits: studies in Medical Science Monitor showed that participants who practised yoga during the day reported improved sleep that night.
Need another reason?
Today is International Yoga Day! To celebrate, we got together with some of our awesome #WHFitFam girls and headed to the new Wild Thing yoga studio in Sea Point, Cape Town.
Fifteen of us gathered for an hour-long Vinyasa class led by teacher and co-owner Lexi Ryman (other co-owner is Dominique Vieira). Other classes offered at the studio include: Flow So Hard; Hustle & Flow 101 (for beginners); and Broga (for the bros in your life). All classes are Vinyasa-based, so you can expect a lot of chaturanga (great for strength training)!
The room was heated to a cosy – but not hot – 25 degrees, a welcome relief from the icy winter air outside. Mats and towels are available for those who don’t have and the shower and locker-room facilities (keys/locks supplied) are top-notch!
For more information, visit WildThingMoves.co.za and check out the class schedule and rates.
