Personal Yoga Observation

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Nothing ground breaking or all that exciting really, just happened to notice this.

I have been in martial arts for over 40 years, now I only do taijiquan.
Been lifting weights off and on for close to 40 years
Been training yoga, off and on, for about 20 years

Realized something the other day that I can’t quite explain that has been going on like this for about the last 10 years.

If I train martial arts, lift weights and do some aerobics (mostly stationary bike) I tend to gain weight, some muscle but my clothes also get a little tighter.

If I train martial arts (taijiquan) and yoga I lose weight.

I stopped yoga not to long ago and switched back to weights because all the articles i was reading were stating that old codgers, such as myself (>50) needed weight training. And then the weight gain began once again.

Switched back to yoga this past weekend.

This is not making since to me since I feel the calories used lifting and doing aerobics is greater than that used training Yoga (I’m only doing about a 30 minute routine)

The only thing I can come up with is that possibly when training yoga I become more aware of what I eat and what my body needs as far as food goes.

Thoughts, Ideas, similar experiences anyone?

#2

What degree of scale weight difference are you experiencing in the “gain weight” and “lose weight” stages?

Nutrition is the primary factor in weight management. Of course exercise is important as a secondary contributor and for other reasons (joint mobility, lymphatic function, endorphin release).

Whether you are more mindful of your eating (habits, emotions, portions, choices et al) or whether you actually eat differently without mind only you can say.

#3

Thank you for the response

I it is a difference between losing weight to gaining 5 to 10 pounds and then hitting a plateau as I try to stop the gain.

I have been giving this much thought and I do believe it is the mindfulness that comes with Yoga, when I train it. I tend to focus more on the entire body when doing yoga than on individual muscles or small groups of muscles like I do when I focus on weight lifting.

I believe that the Yoga effect (if you will allow me to use that term) is carrying over to eating, I simply pay more attention to how my body feels, hungry or not, and when eating, as well as how it responds to food. I don’t seem to do that as much when weightlifting, I just tend to eat and I may be eating more, and not noticing, since I am eating the same types of food.

#4

There are a lot of reasons for fluctuations in body weight:-)

#5

If I train martial arts, lift weights and do some aerobics (mostly stationary bike) I tend to gain weight, some muscle but my clothes also get a little tighter.

If I train martial arts (taijiquan) and yoga I lose weight.

This is very natural and it should be this way only. Weights build muscle and more muscle means more weight and that is why it is also called body building activity.

Martial art is very close to yoga in terms of awareness and focused mind. These techniques focus more on conservation of energy. The more you conserve, the less tendency to eat.

believe that the Yoga effect (if you will allow me to use that term) is carrying over to eating, I simply pay more attention to how my body feels, hungry or not, and when eating, as well as how it responds to food.[QUOTE]
[/QUOTE]

You are correct. This is exactly why we eat moderate when we practice yoga.

Each technique (weights , martial arts, yoga) has different purposes and goals. All wont give you same results. You need to chose based on what you are seeking for.

#6

Another observation. I realized that, over the years, I have never hurt myself while doing yoga, but I have lifting weights.

Got a bit out of alignment a couple days ago and now, my shoulder hurts and the result is I take a break from just about everything for a few days.

#7

[QUOTE=SohamYogaStudio;87272]This is very natural and it should be this way only. Weights build muscle and more muscle means more weight and that is why it is also called body building activity.

Martial art is very close to yoga in terms of awareness and focused mind. These techniques focus more on conservation of energy. The more you conserve, the less tendency to eat.

You are correct. This is exactly why we eat moderate when we practice yoga.

Each technique (weights , martial arts, yoga) has different purposes and goals. All wont give you same results. You need to chose based on what you are seeking for.[/QUOTE]

Thank you.

I think, at this moment, Yoga and martial arts may be a better choice at my age (see post above for reason :slight_smile: )