Yoga may not seem a great workout for weight loss, but first glances can be deceiving. You won’t burn a whole lot of calories while doing yoga, but it gives other benefits.

For one, yoga will help you build muscle. With more muscle, you’ll maintain a higher metabolism even while at rest.

Yoga also improves your flexibility and posture, which will help you look taller and thinner and may help you burn more calories during other exercises, such as walking. While yoga may not be enough to get you to your weight loss goal, it is definitely a step in the right direction.

"Bikram yoga has changed my life and healed my chronic back pain. It doesn't happen overnight, nor is it handed to you on a silver platter, but if you respect your body and start to believe in the poses, you will find that yoga is the secret to a happy and well rested body. I feel young again!" --An iVillager

"I began my practice of yoga 26 years ago and it has changed my life in many ways: I am both strong and flexible (physically and emotionally); I am able to manage stress in my life; and I no longer place value on material possessions -- contentment lies in the present moment!" --iVillager jane2256

See what other iVillagers have to say and weigh-in with your own comments and stories on our Yoga Message Board.