Written By Diana L. Hay

Overweight and obesity are growing health concerns in our modern society. Statistics show that as many as two-thirds of Americans are overweight and one-third are obese. Obese is defined as being 30% above the recommended body mass index. Treatments for overweight and obesity range from the ridiculous to the dangerous. Pills, powders, surgery, special foods, supplements, drugs, injections, vitamins, etcetera ad infinitium. Studies show that even though most overweight individuals can lose weight on a restrictive diet, 99% gain the weight back within one year.

Yoga can help.

Causes of overweight and obesity range from glandular and hormonal problems, overeating, poor food choices, toxins accumulated in the body, hereditary, psychological, psycho-social, emotional imbalance, sedentary lifestyle, poor digestion and laziness.

Yoga can help.

Hormones have been linked to overweight and obesity. Yoga postures gently stimulate the glands that produce hormones to help regulate the secretions of those hormones. Yoga postures such as Shoulder Stand, Fish Posture and Plough can massage and stimulate the thyroid gland, which actively regulates metabolism leading to more balanced weight.

Anxiety and psychological imbalance have been linked to weight gain. Regular yoga practice can quiet the mind resulting in natural regulation of hunger, thirst, sleep, thoughts and behavior.

Accumulated toxins within the body may be cleared with continued yoga practice of deep breathing. Deep breathing (pranayama) increases oxygen to the cells – even the fat cells – which helps to oxidize (burn up) the fat cells. Pranayamas such as kapalabhati and abdominal breathing, help to clear toxins which are sometimes stored in the fatty tissue, eliminating fats and clearing the body. Deeper breathing also uses more calories and sends more oxygen-rich blood to the tissues providing deep internal nourishment which may decrease the appetite. “Hot” yoga, Bikram yoga, power yoga, Ashtanga yoga and other styles of yoga using a warm environment and vigorous movements encourage release of toxins from sweat.

Anxiety, binge eating, emotional eating and unconscious habits have been shown to contribute to weight gain. Lack of willpower, laziness, mental and emotional nervousness can be addressed with continued yoga practice. Yogic meditation improves concentration and willpower, and teaches one to connect into Universal Mind or unlimited consciousness, which may bring information and insights to assist personally with the weight issue. The nervous system is soothed with regular yoga practice. Regular yogic meditation can poise and relax the nervous system belaying the nervous reasons for weight gain.

Weight gain can be linked to digestive problems such as chronic constipation, irritable bowel syndrome and sluggish digestion. Yoga postures, such as Wind-relieving Posture, Child Posture and spinal twists, regulate and balance the digestive system and help to clear the digestive system of accumulated toxins.

A regular yoga practice will serve to connect the yogi/yogini more securely with the body. Union of body, mind and spirit is the overall goal of yoga practice. A strong connection between body and mind increases self-respect and self-love and leads to taking better care of oneself. Feeling better about oneself will naturally lead to better food choices, and better exercise habits.

Regular aerobic exercise can greatly assist with weight loss. However, overweight and obese individuals may not be physically able to engage in a vigorous exercise routine. Yoga is a low impact exercise regime that, with proper yogic breathing, remains aerobic. For example, Sun Salutation is frequently used as an aerobic exercise by repeating the posture series many times in rapid succession.

Yoga tones muscles, increases flexibility, decreases fat accumulation on the body, improves posture, eases joints, ligaments and tendons and gives an overall improved appearance to the physical body. The body glows with an internal light of true yoga union with universal spirit bringing beauty and natural attractiveness to the body.

Sometimes overweight and obese individuals may be too self-conscious to attend a gym or an exercise class. Yoga is a personal program and can be performed alone. Yoga can be practiced in private until these limiting self thoughts are alleviated by continued yoga practice.

Excess weight gain can only be eliminated by permanently altering the lifestyle choices that led to the weight gain in the first place. Yoga, when embraced fully, is a complete lifestyle choice. Meatless diets may help to naturally reduce weight. Meditation and introspection may lead to better and more healthy lifestyle choices.

Even if the root cause remains a mystery, overweight can be seen as an imbalance of systems within the body or an imbalance between body and mind. Many yoga postures address balance. Balance improves greatly as yoga postures deepen and yoga practice continues. As balance improves in the postures, balance improves in the body, the mind, and the overall person. Weight will balance as the overall person achieves balance and poise. Yoga balance postures such as Tree Posture can be easily modified to improve balance in individuals of any level of ability.

While the cure for obesity may remain a mystery, yoga can indeed address the symptoms and contributing factors to weight gain. Yoga modifies balances and eliminates many of the contributing factors related to overweight. Yoga practice encourages an overall healthy lifestyle, calm mind, enlightened spirit and naturally beautiful body full of life-giving prana. Yoga unites the mind with Universal Mind providing benevolence and loving kindness. Yoga helps us feel better about ourselves and about others.

While scientific studies may be lacking to prove a positive connection between yoga and weight loss, anecdotal and personal experience encourage yoga as an effective treatment plan for overweight and obesity. Yoga practice contributes greatly to a personal wellness plan for all individuals.

Resources:

The Complete Yoga Book by James Hewitt

The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga by Swami Vishnu-Devananda

Wikipedia – the online encyclopedia – http://www.wikipedia.org/

“Obesity Solution”

http://www.theholisticcare.com/curediseases/Obesity.htm

“Yoga for Weight Loss” by Kevin Pederson -

http://www.yogawiz.com/articles/89/yoga-and-disease/yoga-for-weight-loss.html

“Yoga and Treating Obesity” -

http://www.obesity-treatment.com/feature/yoga-treating-obesity

“Can Yoga Cure Obesity” by Paul Criss -

http://ezinearticles.com/Can-Yoga-Cure-Obesity/190654

“Yoga and Obesity – Yoga and Weight Loss” by Yogacharya Vishwas Mandlik

http://www.yogapoint.com/info/article2.htm

Online Obesity Guide (article by Rian Peter) -

http://www.onlineobesityguide.com/obesity-treatment/obesity-and-fast-goods-is-yoga-helpful-to-cure-obesity/

“Approaches to the Treatment of Obesity” -

http://www.ambafrance-do.org/weight-loss/2454.php

Diana L. Hay is an author and a Yoga teacher intern from Knoxville, Tennessee.  She can be reached at: di21nov@earthlink.net

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