The effect of long term combined yoga practice on the basal metabolic rate of healthy adults

Abstract

BackgroundDifferent procedures practiced in yoga have stimulatory or inhibitory effects on the basal metabolic rate when studied acutely. In daily life however, these procedures are usually practiced in combination. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the net change in the basal metabolic rate (BMR) of individuals actively engaging in a combination of yoga practices (asana or yogic postures, meditation and pranayama or breathing exercises) for a minimum period of six months, at a residential yoga education and research center at Bangalore.MethodsThe measured BMR of individuals practicing yoga through a combination of practices was compared with that of control subjects who did not practice yoga but led similar lifestyles.ResultsThe BMR of the yoga practitioners was significantly lower than that of the non-yoga group, and was lower by about 13 % when adjusted for body weight (P < 0.001). This difference persisted when the groups were stratified by gender; however, the difference in BMR adjusted for body weight was greater in women than men (about 8 and 18% respectively). In addition, the mean BMR of the yoga group was significantly lower than their predicted values, while the mean BMR of non-yoga group was comparable with their predicted values derived from 1985 WHO/FAO/UNU predictive equations.ConclusionThis study shows that there is a significantly reduced BMR, probably linked to reduced arousal, with the long term practice of yoga using a combination of stimulatory and inhibitory yogic practices.

The Effects of a Yoga Intervention on Balance, Speed and Endurance of Walking, Fatigue and Quality of Life in People with Multiple Sclerosis

“…Even small savings in energy for those with more restricted mobility could be functionally important, allowing activity for a longer pe- (Newman, 2007). The effect of yoga on body function may be related to decreased arousal or a decrease in sympathetic nervous system activity (Chaya, 2006). To our knowledge, to date literature is witness of lack of project to study the effect of yoga intervention on walking speed and endurance in MS population.…”

“…Indeed yoga practice (relaxation techniques specially) can improve metabolic rate (Raju, 1994) and at the same time saving energy that may lead to decrease physical fatigue in daily activities. On the other hand, it has been reported that Hatha yoga produces improvements in mood (Berger, 1998) and calming of mind (Chaya, 2006) and may be effective to reduce mental fatigue. However, FFS do not distinguish physical and mental fatigues (Oken, 2004).…”

“…Our yoga teacher was familiar about problems common to the persons with MS. In this regard, she employed the previous studies to design a Hatha yoga program with the fallowing techniques: breathing techniques, arms overhead stretches (static), eagle pose (garudâsana), side bending triangle posture (trikonasana), forward bending (padahastasana), side lateral bending (ardhakati chakrasana), ankle on knee forward bend, warrior II (on chair) (vîrabhadrâsana II), side angle pose (parshvakonâsana), seated twist(bharadvajâsana I), tree pose (supported by wall) (vrikshâsana), reclining bound angle (suptabaddha-konâsana), supported downward dog (adhomukha shvanâsana), cat pose, pose of a child (balâsana), hand to toe (supta-padângushthâsana), supported back bend, rising sun twist, variation of jathara-parivartanâsana, legs up the wall (viparîta-karanîmudrâ) and followed by relaxation technique in supine posture with closed eyes and relaxation of every part of the body (Kishiyama, 2002, Oken, 2004, Chaya, 2006, Nagarathna, 2004. Each pose was held for approximately 10 to 30 seconds (even 8 seconds for subjects who were unable to maintain some techniques) with rest periods between poses lasting 30 seconds to 1 minute.…”

Study effect of two breathing techniques on pulmonary function in asthma

“…During slow breathing baroreflexs sensitivity also high compared to the normal breathing 13 . It stimulates the theta amplitude and delta waves, which is indicate the parasympathetic state arousal 14 . Pranayama activates the pulmonary stretch receptors and which induce the duration & frequency of inhibitory neural impulses 15. Lung inflation is a main physiological stimulus to release lung surfactant and prostaglandins into alveolar space and it reduces the tone of bronchial smooth muscle 16 .…”

Yoga in Cardiovascular Pathology Prevention

“…Так, медитация и йога, основанная на релаксации, снижают активность метаболиче-ских процессов в организме. Напротив, большин-ство асан, сопряженных с высокой мышечной активностью, и "интенсивные" виды пранаям (Уджайи-пранаяма, Сурья Анулома Вилома) приво-дят к интенсификации основного обмена [39]. При этом авторы отмечают, что кратковременное (4-8 нед.)…”