AAMJ / Vol. 3 / Issue 4 / July – August 2017
A A M J Anveshana Ayurveda Medical Journal
www.aamj.in ISSN: 2395-4159
Review Article
Concept analysis on Role of Yoga in the Management of
Sthaulya (Obesity)
Shewale Yogesh Kashinath 1 Pawar K.B 2 Dhimdhime R.S 3
Prashant N Baghel 4 Nilesh Salve 5 Ravindra R. Pandhare 6
A b s t r a c t
Obesity represents an alarming threat to public health in 21st century. In many cases of obesity
causes due to excessive intake of food and lack of physical activity thus sedentary lifestyle plays
an important role in obesity. Sthaulya (obesity) is the most hazardous factor in modern sedentary
society. It is main underlying cause of diseases like Atherosclerosis, Diabetes Mellitus, Osteoar-
thritis, Coronary Heart Disease etc. Atisthūla is described by Acharya Charaka among aṣṭaunin-
ditīya puruṣa.
Due to the limitations of the modern medicine alternative therapies i.e. Ayurveda, Naturopathy,
Yoga are being practiced more and became more popular in present era. Ayurveda and Yoga
are the ancient disciplines designed to bring balance and health to the physical, mental, emo-
tional, and spiritual dimensions of the individual. Āsanas are physical postures and movements
to control Body & Mind. It enhances the blood circulation, tones the muscles, improves digestion
and regulates the metabolism, relieves the mental stress and calms the brain and also helped to
reduction of fat. It maintains an optimum condition of the physical body and promotes health of
person by regular practicing.
Keywords – Āsana, Medoroga, Obesity, Sthaulya, Yoga.
1, 4 PG Scholar, 2 Assistant Professor, 3 Professor & Head, Dept. of Kriya Śarīra, 5&6 PG Scholar,
Dept. of Agada Tantra, GAC, Osmanabad.
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Dr. Shewale Yogesh Kashinath
PG Scholar,
Department of Kriya Śarīra,
GAC, Osmanabad,
Maharashtra, (India).
Email: [email protected]
http://aamj.in/wp-content/uploads/Volume3/Issue4/AAMJ_1391_1396.pdf
Yogesh et.al,. : Concept analysis on Role of Yoga in the Management of Sthaulya (Obesity)
AAMJ / Vol. 3 / Issue 4 / July – August 2017 1392
INTRODUCTION
besity (Sthaulya) represents an alarming threat
to public health in 21st century. In many cases
of obesity causes due to excessive intake of
food and lack of physical activity thus sedentary lifestyle
plays an important role in obesity. In Ayurveda,
Medoroga or Sthaulya has accepted as Santarpaṇottha
Vikāra i.e. disease caused due to over nourishment. In
modern medical science also included Obesity in nutri-
tional disorders. Obesity is explained in Ayurveda as the
effect of increase of Medo Dhātu (fat tissue).[i]
Yogaratnakara explains obesity with symptoms i.e. A
person due to the excess accumulation of Medo (Fat) and
māṁsa (Muscles) in the body presents with pendulous
buttocks, abdomen, breasts, and disproportionate
strengths with physical growth, energy levels below is
called as Atisthūla or Obese. [ii]
Etiopathology of Sthaulya –
Vitiated dōṣas – Vāyu – Samāna, Vyāna
Pitta – Pāchaka
Kapha – Kledaka
All the three dōṣas are vitiated in samprāpti of the
sthaulya, Āma annarasa formed from the food taken trav-
eling in the body channels gets obstructed due to śarīra
śaithilya or bījabhāga avayava and combines with
kapha and meda in the Medovaha Srotas, which de-
creases the medo dhātvāgni which gives rise to improper
form of meda. Vitiated Vyāna Vāyu transport this im-
proper meda dhātu to its sites i.e. udara (abdomen),
sphika (hip region), stana (breast), gala (neck) etc. result-
ing in sthaulya or ati Sthūla. Due to excessive accumula-
tion of Medo Dhātu produces various signs and symp-
toms.[iii]
The term Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Yuja’
which means ‘to combine’. Yoga is a Science of Physical,
Mental, and Spiritual approach by which Human being
can achieve harmonious development of health of the
Body–Mind complex. Yoga is the Science of Human Life
itself. [iv]
Ayurveda and Yoga are the ancient disciplines designed
to bring balance and health to the physical, mental, emo-
tional, and spiritual dimensions of the individual.
Ashtanga yoga
It is a comprehensive discipline its ultimate objective be-
ing the realization of the supreme. It consists of eightfold
methods or steps –1)Yama 2)Niyama 3)Āsana
4)Prāṇāyāma 5)Prthyāhāra 6)Dhāraṇa 7)Dhyāna
8)Samādhi.[v]
1. Yama (Abstention) – It includes most important Princi-
ples & Ethical rules that are to be followed in personal &
Social behaviors. They are as follows– Ahiṁsā (Non–vi-
olence), Āstheya (Non–stealing), Satya (observation of
truth), Brahmacharya (Self–abstinence) and Aparigraha
(Non–greedy nature).[vi]
2. Niyama (Observances) – These are principles of per-
sonal practice for self–development and also influence
attitude towards spiritual pursuits & facilitate the spiritual
progress. These are – Śaucha (Cleanliness), Santōṣa
(Contentment), Tapa (Self–control), Swādhyāya (Self
study) and Īśvara praṇidhāna (Devotion).[vii]
3. Āsana (Yogic postures) – These are physical postures
and movements to control Body & Mind.[viii]
4. Prāṇāyāma (Yogic breathing practices) – It concerned
with the controlled breathing exercises and in a broader
sense it helps to develop and control Prāṇa (Vital forces)
in the body and mind.[ix]
5. Prthyāhāra (Concentration) – This is a primary phase
of training the unstable Mind to become stable and able
to concentrate on a certain Thought. This is a study of
training for the withdrawal of the senses from their exter-
nal object or stimuli and bringing them under the control
of mind.[x]
6. Dhāraṇa (Fixed attention) – This is the higher stage of
concentration. It is considered as the foundation for med-
itation. It also regarded as a technique to develop pow-
erful memory. [x]
7. Dhyāna (Meditation) – The convergence of thoughts
attained by fixed attention is concentrated on one fixed
point. It is an effortless single–thought condition. It is very
important method of yoga to controlling the mind.[xi]
8. Samādhi (Absolute contemplation) – It is the disap-
pearance of self–awareness leading into the realization
of Ultimate Truth which may be associated with unrespon-
siveness of the body.[x]
General information and instructions before doing the
Yogic practices–[xii]
1. Age– between 12 and 75 years is suitable for per-
forming yogāsana.
2. Sex– both Male and Female can do this but ladies
should not perform some yogāsanas during their men-
strual period and after the fourth month of their preg-
nancy and up to two months after delivery.
O
Yogesh et.al,. : Concept analysis on Role of Yoga in the Management of Sthaulya (Obesity)
AAMJ / Vol. 3 / Issue 4 / July – August 2017 1393
3. Period of the Day– In the morning or evening after 3
hours’ heavy meals and 2 hours after breakfast or light
meals. It is better to practice Yogāsanas in the morning
on an empty stomach.
4. Preparation– Evacuation of stool and urine is neces-
sary before performing.
5. Clothes– Tight clothes should be avoided.
Following Yogāsana are useful in sthaulya –
1) Paśchimōttāsana[xiii,xiv]
It gives stretch to the back part of the body and thighs. It
improves respiratory functions by providing contraction
to the muscles of the anterior part of the body that exerts
pressure on the abdomen and thorax. The strong pull on
ligaments, tendons and muscles of the knee joints is ex-
erted. It enhances the blood circulation in the back and
the nerves of the spinal cord are toned. This āsana also
helped to reduction of fat in abdominal region, hip, waist
and thighs.
Precautions –
1. Asthma or diarrhea.
2. Back injury.
3. Pregnant women.
Benefits –
1. It relieves mild depression and stress.
2. Muscle of the back and thighs are well stretched.
3. Abdominal fat can be reduced.
4. It helps to improve digestion and excretion.
5. Anxiety, headaches, and fatigue are reduced.
6. High blood pressure can be cured with this
āsana.
7. It can be increase appetite, and reduce obesity.
8. Pancreatic region is pressed and pancreas is
stimulated.
2) Padmāsana (Lotus posture) [xv,xvi]
The arrangement of feet resembles the petals of Lotus
(padma) so this āsana named as padmāsana. This āsana
has numerous physical and spiritual benefits. It is one of
the comfortable positions for meditation which works on
many Chakras.
Precautions – Patients suffering from Knee or Ankle in-
jury.
Benefits–
1. The knees and ankles get a good stretch.
2. It relieves the mental stress and calms the brain.
3. The joints of pelvis, knee, ankle become elastic.
4. It reduces the fat around thighs.
3) Matsyāsana (Fish posture) [xvii,xviii]
Precautions – Patients suffering from Cervical Spondylo-
sis.
Benefits–
1. Stretching of intercostal muscle increases Lung
Capacity.
2. It stretches the spine and tones it up and relives
Spondylosis.
3. It improves cerebral circulation.
4. Asthma and other Lung disorders are controlled.
5. It also useful in Constipation.
4) Sarvangāsana[xix,xx]
Precaution – Patients suffering from
Cervical Spondylosis.
Benefits–
1. It relieves stress and calm the
brain. It improves the circulation
of brain.
2. It improves breath holding
time and vital capacity
Yogesh et.al,. : Concept analysis on Role of Yoga in the Management of Sthaulya (Obesity)
AAMJ / Vol. 3 / Issue 4 / July – August 2017 1394
of the lungs.
3. It gives good stretch to the neck and shoulders.
4. The buttocks and legs get toned.
5. It improves digestion and regulates the metabo-
lism.
7. It also reduces Fatigue and Insomnia.
8. High blood pressure is reduced. Blood from
lower portions of the body is well drained to the
Heart and Circulation is improved.
5) Halāsana[xxi,xxii]
It calms the sympathetic nervous system of the body. It
helps to balance the secretions of the thyroxine and
adrenaline.
Precaution – Patients suffering from Cervical Spondylosis
and other disorders of cervical spine, appendicitis.
Benefits –
1. It massages the digestive organs and improves
the digestion thus regulates appetite.
2. It stimulates the Abdominal viscera and regulates
metabolism.
3. It is beneficial in diabetes as it normalizes the
BSL (blood sugar levels).
4. It activates the Parasympathetic Nervous System
of the body.
5. It gives stretch to the spine.
6) Bhujangāsana (Cobra posture) [xxiii,xxiv]
Benefits –
1. It also tones the organs that lie in the lower ab-
domen.
2. This āsana stimulates the digestive, reproductive,
and urinary systems.
3. It helps to regulate metabolism and balancing
the weight thus work well in obesity.
4. This āsana gives a good stretch to the chest,
lungs, shoulders and abdomen.
5. It works as a great stress release and calms
mind.
6. This āsana relieves sciatica and asthma.
7) Pawanmuktāsana[xxv,xxvi]
This āsana helps in various gastric problems i.e. indiges-
tion and constipation. Knees exert pressure on the abdo-
men, holding the position for more than a minute helps
in triggering the burning of fat in the abdominal region.
Cautions – Patients suffering from hernia or piles, ab-
dominal surgery done before.
Benefits –
1. It massages the intestines and internal organs of
the digestive system, hence releases trapped
gases thus improves digestion.
2. It tones the muscles of the arms, legs and back.
3. It helps to burn fat in the fat deposition area i.e.
thighs, buttocks, and abdominal area.
4. It helps to stretch the back and neck.
DISCUSSSION
Yoga and mindfulness–meditation gives benefits:
Decreases in stress and anxiety
Improvement in cognitive functioning and cardiovas-
cular health
Reduction in cortisol levels
Decrease in systolic blood pressure
Various Yogic techniques may improve physical & mental
health through down–regulation of the hypothalamic pi-
tuitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous
system (SNS). The HPA axis and SNS are triggered as a
response to a physical or psychological demand
(stressor), leading to a change of physiological, behav-
ioral, and psychological effects, primarily as a result of
the release of cortisol and catecholamines (epinephrine
and nor epinephrine). This response leads to the mobili-
zation of energy needed to combat the stress. Over time,
Yogesh et.al,. : Concept analysis on Role of Yoga in the Management of Sthaulya (Obesity)
AAMJ / Vol. 3 / Issue 4 / July – August 2017 1395
the constant state of hypervigilance resulting from re-
peated firing of the HPA axis and SNS can lead to de-
regulation of the system and ultimately diseases such as
obesity.
HPA (hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal) axis – [xxvii,xxxi]
It is a complex network of cellular interactions that di-
rectly influences and feedback interactions that involves
three main endocrine glands, the hypothalamus (the mas-
ter gland), the pituitary gland (a pea–shaped structure
located below the hypothalamus), and the adrenal
glands (suprarenal i.e. small organs on top of the kid-
neys). The hormones regulated by the HPA axis include
following–
1. Vasopressin and Corticotropin Releasing Hormone
(CRH) – In response to physical or psychological
stress the hypothalamus will he produces or secretes
these hormones. Water metabolism controlled by
vasopressin acting on the kidneys and CRH regulates
attention, feelings of anxiety & appetite.[xxviii]
2. Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) – The pituitary
gland releases this hormone and stimulates the ad-
renal glands to increase production of Glucocorti-
coids. [xxix]
3. Glucocorticoid – It regulate glucose metabolism and
the immune system. Cortisol (or hydrocortisone) is the
most important human glucocorticoid.[xxix]
4. Cortisol – It is released in response to stress and low
blood–glucose concentration, and regulates blood
sugar, the immune system, and the metabolism of fat,
protein, and carbohydrates. Cortisol also activates
the body’s response to stress, injury, sleep depriva-
tion, physical exhaustion, and anxiety.[xxx]
Low level of the hormone has beneficial effects, such as
protecting the body from stressful situations, providing
more energy, increasing physical and mental perfor-
mance, and memory recall. However, sustained high lev-
els of cortisol can have deleterious effects. In short, the
HPA axis coordinates effectively to modulate the stress
response. The HPA axis and all the above hormones reg-
ulate essential body processes, i.e. digestion, metabo-
lism, emotions, mood, energy, libido, and the immune
system. Hence nearly all of the body’s physiological re-
actions and mental status are controlled by all of the
above–mentioned hormones that are in turn regulated by
the HPA axis. To keep the entire system in balance there
is a negative feedback operation in each component of
HPA axis.
Growth Hormone – [xxxii] It is stress hormone. It plays an
important role in both mental and emotional well–being
and maintaining a high energy level. It also improves the
cognitive functions.
Dr. S. Dhananjai et al, 2015 Lucknow, demonstrated
study the efficacy of Prāṇāyāma and Yogāsanas on
blood lipid profiles in apparently healthy obese volun-
teers and concluded that yoga practices are helpful in
patients with lipid metabolism disorders.[xxxiii]
Nisha Shantakumari, Shiefa Sequeira, and Rasha El
deeb et al, 2013 Kerala, conducted the study to assess
the effectiveness of yoga in the management of
dyslipidemia and they concluded that after 3 months in-
tervention of Yoga, it showed a decrease in total choles-
terol, LDL, triglycerides and an improvement in the
HDL.[xxxiv]
Yogāsanas and Kundalini
The ultimate purpose of yoga is the awakening of
kundalini shakti, the evolutionary energy in man. Prac-
tising these āsanas stimulates the chakras, distributing the
generated energy of kundalini all over the body. The pur-
pose of āsana to regulate the chakras i.e. chakrāsana
for manipura chakra, sarvangāsana for vishuddhi,
sirshāsana for sahasrara and so on and all other āsanas
to regulate and purify the nadis in the body thus facilitat-
ing the conduction of Prāṇa throughout the body. To cre-
ate balance between the interacting activities and pro-
cesses of the pranic and mental forces is the objective of
hatha yoga. Once this has been achieved, the impulses
generated give a call of awakening to sushumna nadi,
the central pathway in the spine, through which the
kundalini energy ascends to sahasrara chakra, thereby
illumining the higher centres of human consciousness.
[xxxv]
CONCLUSION
It maintains an optimum condition of the physical body
and promotes health of person by regular practicing of
āsana. From practicing these, the dormant energy poten-
tial is released and increases confidence in life. When
Yogāsanas are performed in proscribed manner then res-
piration and metabolic rates slow down, the consumption
of oxygen and the body temperature drop. Various Yogic
techniques may improve physical & mental health
through down–regulation of the hypothalamic pituitary–
adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous system
(SNS). These Āsanas are very useful in the Sthaulya to
burn fat in the fat deposition area i.e. thighs, buttocks,
and abdominal area. So it helps to regulate metabolism
and balancing the weight thus work well in obesity and
dyslipidemia.
ΛΛΛΛ
Yogesh et.al,. : Concept analysis on Role of Yoga in the Management of Sthaulya (Obesity)
AAMJ / Vol. 3 / Issue 4 / July – August 2017 1396
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Source of Support: Nil.
Conflict of Interest: None declared
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How to cite this article: Yogesh et.al,. : Concept analysis
on Role of Yoga in the Management of Sthaulya (Obesity)
AAMJ 2017; 4:1391 – 1396.
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