Did you know that practicing two hours of yoga can burn roughly the same number of calories as taking 11,400 steps? This makes yoga an effective moderate-intensity exercise that benefits both body and mind.
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How Yoga Burns Calories
Vigorous yoga styles, like Vinyasa or Sun Salutations, can burn around 300–350 calories per hour, depending on intensity and body weight. Over two hours, this can match the energy burned by walking thousands of steps.
Health Benefits Beyond Calories
- Body Composition: Yoga helps improve BMI, waist-hip ratio, and lean body mass.
- Heart and Metabolism: Regular yoga can reduce LDL (bad cholesterol) and support healthy blood glucose levels.
- Mental Health: Yoga promotes mindfulness, reduces stress, and improves mental clarity and balance.
- Flexibility and Strength: Daily practice strengthens muscles and improves posture.
Research Backing
- A study published in PubMed shows that moderate to vigorous yoga can match other physical activities in calorie expenditure and health benefits
- Additional research indicates yoga is particularly effective for blood sugar control, stress relief, and improving overall wellness.
Conclusion
Whether you want to burn calories, reduce stress, or boost flexibility, yoga is a powerful tool. Two hours of dedicated practice can give you benefits comparable to walking over 11,000 steps, making it a holistic addition to your fitness routine.
