Obesity & Yoga

What is Obesity?

-          Excessive body  weight

-          Unnecessary strain on the body leading to a  reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems.

o    heart, circularity, respiratory and eliminative systems

o    Metabolic diseases: diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, arthritis sleep apnea, and certain types of cancer

o    Lowered vitality, mental dullness and depression

-          BMI), a measurement which compares weight and height, defines people as

o    overweight (pre-obese) if their BMI score  is between 25 -30

o    obese when it BMI score is greater than 30 

What are the common Causes?

-          excessive food  intake (too much and poor quality choices)

o    i.e. diets high in excessive oil, spices, starches, sugars, refined products

o    lack of physical activity

o    few cases: genetic susceptibility,

§  genes, endocrine disorders (thyroid, adrenal, reproductive) , medications or psychiatric illness.

Two types of people who suffer from obesity:

	Type 1 Person: Raja Guna (activating principle)	Type 2 Person: House Bound Tamo Guna (lethargy & dullness)
Characteristics	Competitive, passionate, acquisitive Eats quickly in excess. Uses food to release pent up mental energy unfulfilled ambitions and desires	Eats from boredom Due to frustration, unfulfilled creative energy wrongfully channeled  for the desire for food
Treatment	Determination with inspiration and willpower through Yoga Yoga nidra (relax in shavasana for 10 min prior to eating Object of awareness while eating Balanced diet	Determination with inspiration and willpower through Yoga Karma yoga (mode of self expression) Balanced diet

Holistic Management

Asana

-          Practice to limit, not exhaustion

-          Pawakmunktasana, shakti bandha followed by surya namaskara

Pranayama:

-          Bhramari and nadi shodhana awaken vitality

-          Avoid excessive pranayama

-          Mild bhastrika: speed metabolism and reduces fat

Shatkarma

-          Neti and kunjal should be practiced daily

-          Poorna shankhprakshalana practised once under guidance of an ashram

-          Helps to relive ailments in digestive system

-          Allows for mental and physical lightness, increased vital energy and clarity of the mind

Relaxation

-          Yoga nidra everyday in a positive form

Diet

-          Fasting not recommended

-          Daily diet wholesome with simple food, regular meal times and limit snacking in between

-          Sugar, sweets, oils, spices, milk and milk products, rich and refined foods should be reduced and replaced with lean protein, simple carbs like vegetables and fruit & omega 3 fatty acids and