Obesity
Manage Weight and Boost Metabolism with Yoga for Obesity
Obesity is a complex medical condition characterized by excessive body fat accumulation that can negatively impact health. It’s typically defined as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or greater. BMI is a calculation using height and weight that’s not perfect but widely used for initial assessment. However, it’s important to note that BMI doesn’t necessarily account for muscle mass or individual variations in body composition.
While the exact cause of obesity is multifaceted and varies among individuals, several key factors play a significant role:
- Energy imbalance: Consuming more calories than your body burns over time leads to weight gain. This imbalance can be driven by high-calorie, processed foods, sugary drinks, and insufficient physical activity.
- Genetics: Certain genes can predispose individuals to be more susceptible to obesity, potentially influencing energy metabolism, fat storage, and appetite regulation.
- Environmental factors: Easy access to unhealthy food options, limited opportunities for physical activity, and socioeconomic disparities can contribute to obesity risk.
- Hormonal imbalances: Issues with thyroid function, insulin resistance, and other hormonal disruptions can affect weight regulation.
- Psychological factors: Stress, depression, and unhealthy coping mechanisms like emotional eating can increase obesity risk.
- Socioeconomic Factors: Access to healthy foods, safe neighborhoods for physical activity, and healthcare can vary, impacting obesity risk.
- Excess weight and central obesity: Having more body fat than is healthy, especially concentrated around the waist and abdomen.
- Limited mobility and physical limitations: Difficulty performing daily activities or engaging in physical exercise due to excess weight.
- Sleep disturbances: Snoring or sleep apnea (breathing interruptions during sleep) can occur.
- Joint pain and discomfort: Increased stress on joints can lead to pain and discomfort.
- Fatigue and low energy: Feeling tired and lacking energy throughout the day.
- Skin changes: Stretch marks may appear on the skin, especially in areas of rapid weight gain or loss.
- Increased sweating: The body may sweat more than usual, especially during exertion or in hot weather.
- Surya Namaskara: helps burn calories, improves metabolism, and tones the entire body, supporting effective weight management and reducing obesity.
- Utthita Trikonasana:tones the abdominal muscles, improves metabolism, and enhances flexibility, aiding in weight reduction and overall fitness.
- Utthita Parsvakonasana:helps burn calories, tones the waist and thighs, and improves digestion, supporting weight management and overall fitness.
- Utkatasana:helps burn calories, improves metabolism, and tones the muscles, aiding in weight reduction and overall fitness.
- Virabhadrasana-I (Warrior I Pose): A powerful standing pose that strengthens the legs, improves balance, and boosts confidence.
- Virabhadrasana-II:improves posture, stretches the hips and shoulders, and stimulates energy flow, contributing to effective weight management and improved body strength.
- Prasarita Padottanasana:tones the abdominal area, relieves stress, and enhances blood circulation, supporting weight reduction and overall fitness.
- Navasana:helps tone the abdominal area, burn calories, and improve metabolism, making it an excellent pose for weight loss and building core strength.
- Urdhva Prasarita Padottanasana:a helps tone the abdomen and legs, boosts metabolism, and enhances digestion, supporting weight loss and overall fitness.
- Sirsasana:helps improve metabolism, balance hormone levels, and strengthen the core, promoting weight loss and overall body toning.
- Salamba Sarvangasana:combat obesity by stimulating the thyroid gland, which regulates metabolism, and improving circulation to promote overall fat reduction and energy balance.
- Savasana:reduces cortisol levels (a stress hormone), which helps prevent emotional eating and supports weight loss by calming the mind and allowing the body to recover from physical activity.
- Bhastrika Pranayama (Bellows Breath): This energizing breath technique can help boost metabolism and burn more calories.
- Kapalbhati Pranayama (Skull-Shining Breath): This cleansing breath technique can help remove toxins and improve lung function.
Surya Namaskara
सूर्य नमस्कार / Sun Salutation
The term is derived from two Sanskrit roots surya meaning "sun" and namaskar …
Utthita Trikonasana
उत्थिता त्रिकोनासनI / Triangle Pose
The Sanskrit name comes from the Utthita, meaning “extended,” Trikona, meaning …
Utthita Parsvakonasana
उत्थिता पार्श्वकोनासन / Extended Lateral Angle Pose
The Sanskrit name is derived from Utthita (उत्थिता), meaning “extended,” Parsva …
Utkatasana
उत्कटासन / Chair Pose
The Sanskrit name is derived from Utkata (उत्कटा) meaning “powerful” and āsana …
Virabhadrasana
विरभद्रासन-I / Warrior-I pose
The Sanskrit name is derived from Vira (विरा) means hero, Bhadra (भद्रा) means …
Virabhadrasana-II
विरभद्रासन II / Warrior Pose 2
The Sanskrit name is derived from vira (विरा) meaning hero, bhadra (भद्रा )meaning …
Prasarita padottanasana (Chin support)
प्रसारिता पदोत्तनासन / Wide-legged forward bend
The Sanskrit name is derived from Prasārita (प्रसारित) meaning spread out or …
Navasana
नवसाना / Boat Pose
The Sanskrit name is derived from Nava (नाव) meaning boat and asana (आसन) meaning …
Urdhva Prasarita Padasana
ऊर्ध्व प्रसारित पदासन / Upward Extended Feet Pose
The name comes from the Sanskrit Urdhva meaning "Upward", Prasārita (प्रसारित) …
Sirsasana
शीर्षासन / Headstand
The sanskrit name is derived from sirsa (शीर्ष) meaning head and asana (आसन) …
Salamba Sarvangasana
सलाम्बा सर्वंगासन / Shoulder stand
The sanskrit name is derived from Salamba (सलाम्बा) means " supported", Sarva …
Savasana
शवासना / Corpse pose
The sanskrit name is derived from Śava (शव) meaning "corpse" and āsana (आसन) …
Bhastrika Pranayama
भस्त्रिका प्राणायाम / Bellows Breath
The Sanskrit word “Bhastrika” means “bellows”, Prana meaning “Life force energy,” …
Kapalbhati Pranayama
कपालभाति प्राणायाम / Skull Shining Breath
"Kapalbhati" comes from "Kapala," meaning "skull," and "Bhati," meaning "shining" …