Hi there, I am wondering how the calorie estimations are calculated? I know several ladies who have attended different classes, including Fire 90, and burned barely 300 calories, based on their heart rate monitors. Granted, it is different for everyone, but when one of them is hopped up on caffeine, and the other is 500-hour Sunstone certified and knows how to make it the most intense workout possible, I find the estimations of 760 calories for a 140-lb person to be severely overestimated.

Just hoping you can offer additional insight into the calculation.
Thank you!

I would love to see us just track 100 - 1000 students online for about 6 months to really get a good sample but sonce that would be an undertaking I'll give you the easy answer ; )

From what I hear from my students using on wrist heart rate monitors, based on Fire 90 and Fire 60 classes, it is about a maximum burn of 200 calories for every 30 minutes you are in class.

60 = Max Calorie Burn somewhere around 400
90 = Max Calorie Burn somewhere around 600

Its all variable depending on muscle engagement, breathing, Male/Female, etc. of course. I would venture to say that 500 hour teaching certification and/or caffeine do not necessarily guarantee a max calorie burn.

Hope that helps!

Chris

Hi Debra -

You are correct that accurately estimating calories burned in different activities for different people is a difficult proposition. The estimate depends very strongly on individual effort - and getting and maintaining your body's effort up to peak effort in a Fire class without pushing into the red zone is difficult even for those of us who have practicing and teaching for years!

I once had a male student - around 40 years old - in good condition - strong yogi and very hard worker in class - about 170 pounds - relate to me that his heart rate monitor proclaimed a 900 calorie burn for a Fire 90 class. That struck me as a probable upper limit on what the calorie burn in a Fire class might be.

Here is a list from the internet of estimates of calories burned in one hour by various activities. Note the Yoga they quote would not be Yoga in a heated room. I know in my own practice when I really work hard in a Fire class it feels much more strenuous than Brisk Walking or even Jogging - maybe not quite as strenuous as Cycling when I'm averaging 18-19 mph.

ACTIVITY CALORIES USED:
Sleeping 60 per hour
Sitting on Couch 75 per hour
Eating 140 per hour
Bowling 145 per hour
Yoga (breaking a sweat) 230 per hour
Brisk Walking 250 per hour
Dancing 270 per hour
Lifting Weights 300 per hour
Volleyball 340 per hour
Playing Basketball or Racquetball 510 per hour
Tennis 510 per hour
Swimming 520 per hour
Jogging (5 miles per hour) 600 per hour
Running 700 per hour
Bicycling 710 per hour
Running (fast pace) 1000 per hour

So the bottom line is there is a broad range of calorie burn possibilities in Yoga - and the calorie estimator is intended to give you an idea where a hard effort class might fall in comparison with other activities.

Hope this helps!

Hi Debra!

I had a similar question years ago before I started teaching and was frusterated with the response (hot yoga burns somewhere between 100-900 calories an hour?) The range was too high. However, Since I became a teacher, I understand completely what they meant. Having the priviledge of watching my students and their beautiful journeys, I see how everyone practices different. Some people hold back and some people go for it. Some people know how to contract many different muscle groups at once and some people are still learning to do that. It's the same as asking "how many calroies will I burn on this one hour obstacle course?" Well the answer depends on how long it takes you to run it (if you even run) and the level of intensity you give yourself with the obstacles. Additionally, your own body's age and metabolism plays a huge part in this calculation too. The best way to get your answer is to wear a body bug and see what the answer is for you. Happy journeys!

Hey chris,
I will send you my calorie burning spreadsheet data from my heart rate monitor. My spreadsheet is based on my weight of 120 pounds, but it tracks lots of Fire 60 and Fire 90 classes by location and teacher. For a larger person, obviously more calories would be burned. Also, since I have so many classes, my calorie burn is probably less than most people as I have become more efficient. I will email the spreadsheet to you now.

I have an idea. Just forget completely about calories and physical effects and focus 100% on the mental and spiritual side of yoga. Do that for 3 months (along with sensible diet) and forget about your body size, shape, etc... Then see how your clothes fit after 3 months. You will be shocked. The best benefits from yoga come when you are not looking for them and do not expect them (as the rest of life). I've dropped 15-20 pounds in 3 months by doing this. Funny thing is that I don't even want to lose weight. I'm going crazy because my clothes don't fit. I either need to buy all new clothes or get on an ice cream shake diet.

Does anyone know if yoga can help tone up my body after a big weight gain? I've lost about 80 pounds now, and I think I'm either going to have to tone up my body via yoga or pilates or I am going to have to have breast reduction surgery (or an abdominoplasty). No one told me I'd look this flabby after the weight loss.

Yes, Tori. A lot of toning will occur with a regular practice (at least 3 to 4 times/wk). However, I have loose flab on my belly from my last pregnancy from 11 years ago (gained about 50 lbs, and had a 9-pounder!), which will likely never go away. There is strong abdominal muscle underneath, but the stretched out skin on top is just damaged and will likely remain. So, certain areas of the body may not change too much, i.e. belly flab and breast mass, in particular. I would, however, try a consistent practice for three to five months before making a serious decision toward more drastic measures. Every body is different and different skin types stretch and retract in different ways. Good Luck!