The Biggest Loser: New Twist on Yoga

If you think yoga is all about sitting on a cushy mat in a dark room chanting “ohm” over and over, check out this week’s episode of The Biggest Loser.

Yes, the scene was picturesque. Contestants unrolled their yoga mats onto a verdant knoll in New Zealand overlooking the ocean. And that’s where the pretty ended.

Personal trainer Bob Harper has been using yoga on the popular reality show for years.

People don’t think of yoga as a workout because you’re not running, he said. But it demands stamina and strength.

That was apparent during the show. Contestants  – some who weigh more than 200 pounds – held their own weight in a plank position for several seconds. Sweat dripped down their forearms. Muscles in their legs shook from exhaustion for the camera.

You know it’s tough when celebrity trainer Jillian Michaels gives it high praise.

“Bob’s yoga is brutal,” she said with a smile. “He twists your body into positions that you did not think was possible.”

Of course not all yoga classes are led this way. They will vary in intensity and difficulty depending on the instructor. Some yogis strive to increase strength and flexibility. Others focus more on breathing and relaxing.

Studies have shown that yoga can help people who suffer from anxiety and depression. It can also lower blood pressure.

At the end of the workout, Bob led the contestants through some relaxation poses. The show is renown for the physical and mental challenges people endure to compete for $250,000 and lose weight. But Bob’s advice to them can be applied to everyone who struggles with stress: “Tune out the white noise.”

Alice Warchol is a fitness instructor and freelance health writer.