Yoga is often celebrated for its benefits to flexibility, stress relief, and mental clarity—but did you know it can also help burn calories and support weight management? If you’ve ever asked yourself, how many calories burned during yoga?, the answer depends on a variety of factors including the style of yoga, your weight, session intensity, and duration. Let’s break it down.

Factors That Influence Calorie Burn in Yoga

Not all yoga sessions are created equal. Here’s what affects how many calories you burn during your practice:

• Body Weight: Heavier individuals tend to burn more calories due to the increased effort required.

• Yoga Style: Gentle forms like Hatha burn fewer calories than vigorous styles like Vinyasa or Power Yoga.

• Intensity & Duration: Longer and more intense sessions naturally lead to higher calorie burn.

• Muscle Engagement: Holding poses and flowing through sequences activates more muscle groups.

Estimated Calories Burned by Yoga Style

Below is a general guide based on a 60-minute session for a person weighing around 150 pounds (68 kg):

Note: Calorie burn increases with higher body weight and more intense effort.

How Yoga Supports Long-Term Calorie Burn

While yoga may not burn as many calories per session as a high-intensity workout, it offers long-term benefits that aid in weight management:

• Builds Lean Muscle – More muscle = higher resting metabolism.

• Reduces Stress – Lower cortisol levels help prevent fat storage, especially in the belly area.

• Improves Sleep – Quality sleep enhances recovery and metabolic function.

• Encourages Mindful Eating – A more conscious approach to food reduces overeating.

Tips to Maximize Calorie Burn in Yoga

1. Choose active styles like Vinyasa, Power, or Hot Yoga.

2. Extend your sessions to 45–60 minutes.

3. Include flow-based sequences and challenging poses like planks, chair, and warrior.

4. Practice consistently—at least 3–5 times per week.

5. Mix yoga with other forms of exercise for a balanced routine.

Summary

So, how many calories burned during yoga? The answer varies, but an average session can burn anywhere from 100 to 600 calories depending on the style, effort, and your body type. More importantly, yoga supports a healthier lifestyle through improved strength, stress management, and body awareness. Whether you're practicing for relaxation or weight loss, yoga can be a powerful and sustainable part of your fitness journey.