Yoga as a health promotion lifestyle tool

Effects of Laghoo Shankaprakshalana (yogic colon cleansing) on anthropometric measurements in obese individuals

OBJECTIVES

Obesity is considered as one of the major public health burden and it is predictor of cardiovascular risk factor. Yoga is a mind-body medicine helps to promote health. This study was aimed to explore whether Laghoo Shankaprashalana (LS) reduce the body weight in obese individuals.

METHODS

This was a single group pre-post study. A total of 40 subjects (9 Male, 31 Female) aged between 18 and 40 years were recruited. This study was conducted in government yoga and naturopathy medical college, Chennai. Subjects were practiced weekly once LS for eight weeks (eight sessions). Subjects were assessed pre and post on body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist hip ratio, pulse rate and blood pressure. Variables were analyzed using Paired sample t test except waist hip ratio, which were analyzed using Wilcoxon's signed ranks test.

RESULTS

There was significant reduction in the body weight (p<0.001, 5.81 %), Body Mass Index (p<0.001, 5.88 %), Waist Circumference (p<0.001, 7.20 %), Hip Circumference (p<0.001, 5.04 %), and Waist Hip Circumference (p<0.001, 3.19 %) after LS. However, there was no statistical significance difference in pulse rate, blood pressure.

CONCLUSIONS

Eight sessions of Laghoo Shankaprakshalana helps to reduces body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference and waist hip ratio. Reduction in the waist circumference might helps to reduce the cardiovascular risk. LS may be one of the cost effective intervention that can be incorporated in the weight loss regimen.

Effects of a complex yoga-based intervention on physical characteristics

Empirical studies on yoga have shown that regular practice can have a beneficial effect on risk factors of cardiovascular diseases; also, it can decrease body weight, body fat and increase muscle mass. Positive effects on balance and flexibility were also reported. This study evaluated the impact of a 3-month complex yoga-based program, including physical exercises, education, and social support, with a quasi-randomized design in a middle-aged community sample. The intervention group consisted of 46 participants while the passive control group was 29 participants. The intervention group showed a significant increase in core muscle strength and hamstring flexibility and a decrease in body  fat. No significant changes were found concerning risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, body weight, muscle mass, balancing ability, and dietary habits. A 3-month yoga intervention cannot substantially impact the cardiovascular system and body weight control in middle-aged adults.

The Relationship Between Yoga and Spirituality: A Systematic Review of Empirical Research

OBJECTIVE

Both yoga practice and spirituality are associated with beneficial mental health outcomes. Within yoga research, however, spirituality is still a widely neglected area. The present systematic review aims to explore empirical studies, which do, in fact, investigate the relationship between yoga and spirituality in order to provide an overview and future directions for research on this topic. The review examines whether available empirical research supports an association between yoga practice and spirituality and, if so, which specific aspects of spirituality are associated with yoga practice.

METHODS

The systematic review followed the PRISMA guideline (Prospero registration number: CRD42020155043). Empirical studies written in English, German, or Hungarian language were selected from a database search in Google Scholar, PsycINFO, and Science Direct. A total of 30 studies met the final inclusion criteria.

RESULTS

According to the quantitative and qualitative studies reviewed, yoga practice seems to be positively associated with spirituality. This association concerns various aspects of spirituality, such as spiritual aspirations, a search for insight/wisdom, an integrative worldview, a sense of meaning and peace, faith, hope, compassion, and happiness within. To harness the potential spiritual benefits of yoga, regular practice appears to be essential. Yoga practitioners seem to have both physical and spiritual motives for practicing. At least in Western societies, however, physical intentions are more prevalent than spiritual ones. The meaning of spirituality for yoga practitioners is also discussed. Due to risk of bias of the majority of the reviewed studies, however, outcomes must be taken with caution.

CONCLUSION

Yoga practice may be positively associated with several aspects of spirituality. For more evidence, further investigation of the topic is suggested. Particularly, we propose the inclusion of holistic forms of yoga practice and a comparison of Eastern and Western approaches to yoga.

Verbal Cuing Is Not the Path to Enlightenment. Psychological Effects of a 10-Session Hatha Yoga Practice

Verbal instructions provided during yoga classes can differ substantially. Yoga instructors might choose to focus on the physical aspects of yoga (e.g., by emphasizing the characteristics of the poses), or they might take a more spiritual approach (e.g., by mentioning energy flow and chakras). The present study investigated the effects of verbal cues during yoga practice on various psychological measures. Eighty-four female students (22.0 ± 3.80 years) participated in the study. Two groups attended a beginner level hatha yoga course in which physically identical exercise was accompanied by different verbal cues. The so-called "Sport group" (N = 27) received instructions referring primarily to the physical aspects of yoga practice, while the "Spiritual group" (N = 23) was additionally provided with philosophical and spiritual information. A control group (N = 34) did not receive any intervention. Mindfulness, body awareness, spirituality, and affect were assessed 1 week before and after the training. 2 × 3 mixed (time × intervention) ANOVAs did not show an interaction effect for any of the variables. However, when the two yoga groups were merged and compared to the control group, we found that spirituality increased, and negative affect decreased among yoga participants. In conclusion, yoga practice might influence psychological functioning through its physical components, independent of the style of verbal instructions provided.