Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Yoga for obesity
Obesity is becoming an epidemic in some parts of the world, and it is starting in childhood. The food industry targets kids with food that has abnormally high quantity of fat and lacks all else in the form of nutrition. Coupled with that is a lack of participation in sports and physical activity, due to entertainment and technology that encourage a sedentry lifestyle. Yoga offers solutions to this unhealthy way of life that would invariably lead to obesity and a myriad health problems associated with that.
Yoga should be taught to very young children (starting from the age of 7) and made mandatory in schools. If yoga is brought to children fairly early on in their life, they will grow into healthy adults, aware of their body and mindful of what they eat. It cultivates mindful eating and develops awareness and compassion towards one's body from a very young age. Yoga can be used as a way to teach kids about their body and how to take care of it so that they remain healthy, youthful and happy throughout the rest of their lives.
Obesity is caused by a host of different factors. There is genetics, hormonal abnormalities, poor eating habits and a lack of exercise and sometimes a combination of these factors. Yoga can help in two ways: firstly it can prevent obesity from ever occuring and secondly, it can help with managing the condition once it has come about.
Obesity as we know can cause serious harm to a person's health. From heart disease to diabetes and stroke, it could potentially cause them all.
Some of the practices in yoga that can be successfully used to tackle obesity include:
The sun salutations: Yoga's claim to a cardio-oriented workout. It gets the heart pumping and flushes out toxins, while increasing metabolic activity.
Pranayama: The most effective way to fitness. As absurd as it may seem, these breathing exercises really help in reducing weight. They have a host of other benefits too.
Yoga nidra: rest and relaxation are key factors in any wellness or recovery program.
If yoga is coupled with a good diet and an active lifestyle, obesity can be kept at bay.
Yoga should be taught to very young children (starting from the age of 7) and made mandatory in schools. If yoga is brought to children fairly early on in their life, they will grow into healthy adults, aware of their body and mindful of what they eat. It cultivates mindful eating and develops awareness and compassion towards one's body from a very young age. Yoga can be used as a way to teach kids about their body and how to take care of it so that they remain healthy, youthful and happy throughout the rest of their lives.
Obesity is caused by a host of different factors. There is genetics, hormonal abnormalities, poor eating habits and a lack of exercise and sometimes a combination of these factors. Yoga can help in two ways: firstly it can prevent obesity from ever occuring and secondly, it can help with managing the condition once it has come about.
Obesity as we know can cause serious harm to a person's health. From heart disease to diabetes and stroke, it could potentially cause them all.
Some of the practices in yoga that can be successfully used to tackle obesity include:
The sun salutations: Yoga's claim to a cardio-oriented workout. It gets the heart pumping and flushes out toxins, while increasing metabolic activity.
Pranayama: The most effective way to fitness. As absurd as it may seem, these breathing exercises really help in reducing weight. They have a host of other benefits too.
Yoga nidra: rest and relaxation are key factors in any wellness or recovery program.
If yoga is coupled with a good diet and an active lifestyle, obesity can be kept at bay.
Labels: obesity, yoga for obesity, yoga for weight loss
