While weight management is not the aim of yoga per se, countless yoga students have been delighted to discover that practising yoga can have a positive effect on their weight. Some of the traditional yogic texts such as the Hatha Yoga Pradipika (15th century) suggest that the first step toward enlightenment is to purify the body. It suggests that yogic postures, combined with breath are the most efficient method of achieving this. Whether its higher states of consciousness you're after, or simply to feel more comfortable in your own skin, yoga can assist. Among the more obvious reasons that yoga affects weight, you might be surprised by some of the more unconventional ways in which it does this:

1. Strength assists with maintaining weight. It's fairly common knowledge that since muscle burns energy faster than fat, having a strong body assists in removing any excess weight from the body, and preventing its arrival. Yoga postures are a wonderful form of low-impact strength building movement which can allow the body to reach and sustain its healthiest state.

2. Self-compassion. Many people believe that if they practised self-compassion, they would 'let themselves go' and have no self-discipline. Consequently, many people move through their daily life, listening to an aggressive inner critic who bosses them around, trying to keep them disciplined with food, weight and exercise. One of the first precepts of the eight-limbed path of yoga, is non-harming or Ahimsa. As you cultivate the practice of yoga you may find that your body image shifts to a more generous and loving attitude, which - despite what your inner critic may tell you - means you'll have a much greater natural tendency towards self care. This enjoyment of self-care will likely carry over not only onto how you practice yoga, but how you eat, live, and love, as well.

3. Relax. Yoga is one of the most effective methods of managing stress in our hectic modern world. Research has proven that deep abdominal breathing - commonly practised during yoga - activates the parasympathetic nervous system, inducing the rest-relax response which is a rare experience for many of us with our busy lives. Consequently, you are far less likely to turn to food to ease your stress or soothe frayed emotions, since the emotions themselves will be less stressful or frayed, thanks to yoga, and this in turn will support you immensely in weight management. Whether you're trying to reduce your weight, or looking for enjoyable ways to maintain a healthy weight, it's important to remember that you needn't have any particular body shape to take up - and benefit from - a regular yoga practice. If you feel that yoga might be a good tool in your weight management adventures, head over to our teacher directory and begin exploring the teacher or studio that's right for you.