Yoga for Weight Loss
By Sarah Freeland

In the United States today, the cases of Obesity have become a constantly increasing cause for concern among the average population. The somewhat alarming statistics inform us that over 130 million adults (20 years old or older) suffer from extreme weight gain issues. The medical implications of obesity make this a great cause for concern. Risk factors for obesity include diabetes, high blood cholesterol, coronary heart disease, hypertension, stroke, osteoarthritis (A condition of degenerative cartilage and joint tissue), sleep Apnea, Breast cancer, colorectal cancer, endometrial cancer, kidney cancer, pregnancy complications, menstruation irregularities, urine leakage, excessive bodily hair, and depression.

Though there are many very effective weight loss programs in the United States, how do you know which ones are for you? Weight loss pills work, but as a rule are generally not the healthy alternative. Many weight loss programs are formatted particularly for someone within a certain range of obesity, so they are not right for just anyone. A lower weight target program would have adverse effects upon someone who was morbidly obese, as it would require them to work far too hard for their particular condition. The effects could be so extreme as heart attack or breathing issues. Also, if you lose too much weight too quickly, you risk having saggy skin hanging off your body, and this generally leads to depression and, occasionally, even Agoraphobia.

With all this distressing information, where is the obese person to turn for a weight loss program that works? There is one that works for all ages and weights, and that is Yoga. Yoga offers a slow and steady weight loss option that keeps the individual healthy as they lose weight. Though it is not as quick, it can be permanent.

One Yoga weight loss program is a five-stage system that has proven very popular and has had good results. This program consists of a series of cleansing techniques. These are Kunjal Kriya, which is stomach washing and lung cleaning, Basti which is colon cleaning, laghu shankha prakshalan, a process of cleaning the digestive system, Bagh, also known as the Tiger exercises, and Yoga Asans, which involves postures.

In many cases, the individual in question has more of a weight issue in one area than another. For example, one persons weight may manifest itself in the abdominal area, while another's' might be in the buttocks area. In these situations, the full Yoga weight loss regime mentioned above is not really necessary. Yoga does present options for those seeking to approach the issue of obesity in certain areas.

In the Abdomen, there are many options such as the abdominal lift, child pose, yogic seal pose, and the Naval Move Asana. For the arms and legs, we have the Dog Pose, the Tree Pose, and the Bridge Pose. For the chest, Yoga offers the hero pose, the spinal twist, the triangle pose and the cobra pose. For thighs and hips we have the sun salute, the dog pose again, the advanced wind-releasing pose, and the angle prose.

These are just a select few of the solutions that Yoga offers to those with obesity or weight problems. Study into the subject deeply before you actually attempt it and always consult with your family physician.

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