Saturday, April 28, 2007

Problem of Obesity and Yoga
As a girl I was princess of a slim and trim body. Friends’ compliments use to give me pleasure, more or so my personality was bubbly and confident. For the first two year of the marriage things went on pretty well, but with the birth of my first child situations started changing. My body started taking up weight and within a short span of four or five years I was counted among the category of obese. In fact, I was able to feel my body weight, reduced physical movements and slowness in emotional and mental activities. Food intake had increased drastically. Frustration and inferiority complex crept in my mind, resulting love for secluded life. The biggest shock was loss of interest of my husband in me.
In desperate attempt to lose my weight, started severe dieting, food packages and well advertised weight-reducing gadgets and not to forget diet pills, but these gimmicks and quickies did not brought any relief. In contrary, the moment I stopped them the hip area and thighs became worsened. Fortunately, one day a friend of mine arrived to meet me, initially she was aghast, but realizing my depressed condition she advised me to join Indian Institute of Yoga (situated in Patna, India; a branch also in Washington, D.C., U.S.A.); they have a module for treatment of obesity. Amazingly, after the completion of six week course of yoga session, I felt rebirth of my personality. Actually, yoga is not just a physical exercise; instead it’s a disciplined way of life.
The yogic method of correcting obesity primarily involves two things, that is, practicing a few selected asanas and taking a balanced diet. The biggest advantage of this yogic system of treatment is that the individual does not have to go on fasting and he does not feel any weakness. Other to it, due to gradual reduction, there is no sagging of the bodily skin or facial tissues and muscle takes place. In this process, simultaneous reduction of weight and body conditioning occur, as a result the body becomes proportionate by the time restoration of obese transforms into normal weight.
In fact, yogic practices help reduce the stiffness of body, make it more flexible and increase the concentration of mind. To slim oneself yoga teaches simple step-to-step practices. First step of asana (posture) emphasizes on Pranayam (Sanskrit word means ‘control of breath’), which is very beneficial exercise. They help enhance concentration, eyesight, and memory and also lower down over weight. Pranayam also increases the oxygen intake to the body cells, resulting increased oxidation or burning up of fat cells.
Next step includes simple physical asanas, such as Ekpada Uttan and Uttanpada asana, (these asana stretches your body and warms up for further postures). Gradually, Paschimotann asana, Bhujanga asana, Sarvanga asana, Halasana, Surya asana are added in your routine. Surya asana (Sun salutation) is of great importance, it includes twelve sub-steps, which is very effective in reducing weight of thighs, hip and abdominal areas. Also activates all the joints of the lower area of the body, enhances sexual potentiality, corrects disorders of the reproductive system, cures piles, and strengthens the digestive system. At the end of every asana it is recommended to practice Shava asana (literally means lying like a dead person; it a relaxation technique). Thus, we can say that yoga is not just a physical exercise, but it also gives internal massage to our body organs.
Last but not the least, it prescribes to maintain a proper diet schedule. The first and foremost important principle is to eat slowly after chewing and crushing the food quite thoroughly. The second vital principle is to finish dinner at least two hours before going to sleep. Third, do not eat more than 80 per cent of your capacity at any time. In other words, eat a bit less than you need. Next, avoid drinking water while eating, and drink after half an hour of eating. Should, take at least ten to fifteen glass of fresh water in twenty-four hours. It prohibits eating fatty and highly seasoned food. Avoid hot spices, pickles and sweets.
By practicing yoga asanas as mentioned above and following the principles and method of eating, one can be sure of losing a minimum of six pounds of weight every month. Yogic method is preferable and desirable for many reasons. It reduces weight in a lasting and permanent way without any side effect to physical/mental condition or beauty and health. It does not cost a penny to correct the disorder. It is advised that once the weight has been reduced to normal level, the individual should continue balanced diet and keep practicing yoga even for ten or fifteen minutes daily.














References:
Mandlik, Yogacharya. “Yoga and Obesity” 26 April, 2007
<http://www.healthandyoga.com/html/news/mandlik_obesity.asp

Obesity Weight Management with Yoga – Retrieved from
<http://www.theholisticcare.com/cure%20diseases/Obesity.htm
Problem of Obesity and Yoga
As a girl I was princess of a slim and trim body. Friends’ compliments use to give me pleasure, more or so my personality was bubbly and confident. For the first two year of the marriage things went on pretty well, but with the birth of my first child situations started changing. My body started taking up weight and within a short span of four or five years I was counted among the category of obese. In fact, I was able to feel my body weight, reduced physical movements and slowness in emotional and mental activities. Food intake had increased drastically. Frustration and inferiority complex crept in my mind, resulting love for secluded life. The biggest shock was loss of interest of my husband in me.
In desperate attempt to lose my weight, started severe dieting, food packages and well advertised weight-reducing gadgets and not to forget diet pills, but these gimmicks and quickies did not brought any relief. In contrary, the moment I stopped them the hip area and thighs became worsened. Fortunately, one day a friend of mine arrived to meet me, initially she was aghast, but realizing my depressed condition she advised me to join Indian Institute of Yoga (situated in Patna, India; a branch also in Washington, D.C., U.S.A.); they have a module for treatment of obesity. Amazingly, after the completion of six week course of yoga session, I felt rebirth of my personality. Actually, yoga is not just a physical exercise; instead it’s a disciplined way of life.
The yogic method of correcting obesity primarily involves two things, that is, practicing a few selected asanas and taking a balanced diet. The biggest advantage of this yogic system of treatment is that the individual does not have to go on fasting and he does not feel any weakness. Other to it, due to gradual reduction, there is no sagging of the bodily skin or facial tissues and muscle takes place. In this process, simultaneous reduction of weight and body conditioning occur, as a result the body becomes proportionate by the time restoration of obese transforms into normal weight.
In fact, yogic practices help reduce the stiffness of body, make it more flexible and increase the concentration of mind. To slim oneself yoga teaches simple step-to-step practices. First step of asana (posture) emphasizes on Pranayam (Sanskrit word means ‘control of breath’), which is very beneficial exercise. They help enhance concentration, eyesight, and memory and also lower down over weight. Pranayam also increases the oxygen intake to the body cells, resulting increased oxidation or burning up of fat cells.
Next step includes simple physical asanas, such as Ekpada Uttan and Uttanpada asana, (these asana stretches your body and warms up for further postures). Gradually, Paschimotann asana, Bhujanga asana, Sarvanga asana, Halasana, Surya asana are added in your routine. Surya asana (Sun salutation) is of great importance, it includes twelve sub-steps, which is very effective in reducing weight of thighs, hip and abdominal areas. Also activates all the joints of the lower area of the body, enhances sexual potentiality, corrects disorders of the reproductive system, cures piles, and strengthens the digestive system. At the end of every asana it is recommended to practice Shava asana (literally means lying like a dead person; it a relaxation technique). Thus, we can say that yoga is not just a physical exercise, but it also gives internal massage to our body organs.
Last but not the least, it prescribes to maintain a proper diet schedule. The first and foremost important principle is to eat slowly after chewing and crushing the food quite thoroughly. The second vital principle is to finish dinner at least two hours before going to sleep. Third, do not eat more than 80 per cent of your capacity at any time. In other words, eat a bit less than you need. Next, avoid drinking water while eating, and drink after half an hour of eating. Should, take at least ten to fifteen glass of fresh water in twenty-four hours. It prohibits eating fatty and highly seasoned food. Avoid hot spices, pickles and sweets.
By practicing yoga asanas as mentioned above and following the principles and method of eating, one can be sure of losing a minimum of six pounds of weight every month. Yogic method is preferable and desirable for many reasons. It reduces weight in a lasting and permanent way without any side effect to physical/mental condition or beauty and health. It does not cost a penny to correct the disorder. It is advised that once the weight has been reduced to normal level, the individual should continue balanced diet and keep practicing yoga even for ten or fifteen minutes daily.