Yoga
and Pilates are great for losing weight -
they don't just burn calories, they also improve your muscle tone and increase
your metabolism in the long term!
I have used Yoga and Pilates for years, as I like the way it tones my body and keeps me slim. It also feels like less of a workout that other exercises!
Yoga and Pilates are actually used regularly by many models, who love the increased muscle tone and better posture they can bring to their photo shoots.
Sometimes during photo shoots models are expected to hold a specific pose for a long time. These poses can sometimes be quite strenuous if you have no flexibility or core strength. Practicing Yoga is a great way to get yourself prepared for that 6-page Marie Claire editorial spread!
The best forms of Yoga for weight loss are the most vigorous. Yoga classes like 'Ashtanga' and 'Power Yoga' are the most effective.
I have also tried 'Heated Yoga', which is conducted in a heated room. The difficulty of holding a pose, combined with the heating system, means that you will be dripping with sweat after every one of these classes!!
Yoga is one of the most balanced exercises you can do - hence the large number of fashion models and celebrities who use it as their exercise of choice!
The focus of Pilates is not losing weight. But, as with Yoga, losing weight is one of the secondary benefits of the improved muscle tone that it brings.
In fact, the slow and consistent fat burning associated with Yoga and Pilates actually continues for hours after the exercise itself, so you get twice the benefit!
Pilates is a great way to increase your circulation and strengthen your core. If you have any bikini shots coming up, or just a trip to the beach, its a fun way to improve your posture and add definition to those abs.