Movement for Weight Loss
Article 1.4
January 2009 Maui Hawaii
Movement for Weight Loss
Accomplish your New Years resolution to loose weight. Simple breathing and movements are all it takes. Read on to find out why.
1st the Krebs cycle
A series of chemical reactions that occur in most aerobic organisms and are part of the process of aerobic cell metabolism, by which glucose and other molecules are broken down in the presence of OXYGEN into carbon dioxide and water to release chemical energy in the form of ATP. The Krebs cycle is the intermediate stage, occurring between glycolysis and phosphorylation, and results in the enzymatic breaking down, rearranging, and recombination of byproducts of glycolysis. The combination of glycolysis and the Krebs cycle ultimately allows 36 ATP molecules to be produced from the energy contained in one molecule of glucose and six molecules of oxygen. Also called citric acid cycle.
What’s all this have to do with your weight loss program? Plenty! As is food, Oxygen is fuel for your body. There are no calories in oxygen. You can breathe in all you want for as long as you want and still no calories! Not only that, but the extra oxygen you take in while using breath control while moving will cause the chemical reactions in your body, see Krebs cycle definition above, to take place faster. Simply put, the breath and movement combo makes the metabolism speed up. This makes you burn more fat and calories.
Yoga postures done correctly with breath can be a gentle form of movement for weight loss. And there are more possible benefits to your Yoga program in addition to weight loss. From the Eastern healthy living approach following gentle yoga postures may stimulate the lymphatic and endocrine systems of our bodies. As these two systems function in a healthy state over a period of time, these two complex systems of our bodies will promote weight management. Weight loss can be achieved when we factor the direct relationship of breath, combined with movement for burning calories, and a simple and pain free Yoga posture routine. This makes simple sense.
Along with Yoga, Pilates exercises emphasis breath. You not only get the added benefits of extra oxygen intake, but you are also aligning your body correctly. Many of us see this as “good posture”. When we see someone standing tall with assured and fluid movement they appear more fit, thinner and more confident. When our posture or body alignment is correct all the core muscles can work more efficiently from the pelvic floor to the diaphragm. Internally the organs will lay in an aligned position for better function.
Candice Crews owner and founder of Pilates Maui has been teaching Yoga postures since 1971. Candice has designed a gentle Yoga program for weight loss. Her Yoga classes are easy to follow and can be accompanied by her laminated Yoga at a Glance cards for home program use. Pilates Maui Yoga classes are 1.5 hours long to give you plenty of time to relax and have your questions answered. We hope to work closely with weight loss organizations in our community for happiness and health. Classes are small and in a private studio setting for your personal comfort. Visit Maui and request a Yoga on the Beach session at sunrise or sunset. Let the gentle waves of Hawaii calm you with your BREATH!