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Kim DY From the Department of Physical Education,
Kyungsung University, Busan, South Korea.
OBJECTIVE: Regular and continuous yoga exercise
is one of the most important nonpharmacological methods
of improving serum lipid concentrations, adipose tissue,
and metabolic syndrome factors. The purpose of this
study was to analyze the effects of yoga exercise on serum
adiponectin and metabolic syndrome factors in obese
postmenopausal Korean women.
METHODS: Sixteen healthy postmenopausal women
aged 54.50 ± 2.75 years with more than 36% body fat
were randomly assigned to either a yoga exercise group
(n = 8) or to a "no exercise" control group (n = 8). The
variables of body composition, visceral fat, serum adiponectin,
and metabolic syndrome factors were measured
in all the participants before and after the 16-week study.
RESULTS: Body weight, percentage of body fat,
lean body mass, body mass index, waist circumference,
and visceral fat area had significantly decreased. Highdensity
lipoprotein cholesterol and adiponectin had significantly
increased, but total cholesterol, triglyceride,
low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, blood pressure, insulin,
glucose, and homoeostasis model assessment-insulin
resistance had significantly decreased. Serum adiponectin
concentrations were significantly correlated with waist
circumference, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, diastolic
blood pressure, and homoeostasis model assessment-insulin
resistance in the postyoga exercise group.
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that yoga
exercise improves adiponectin level, serum lipids, and
metabolic syndrome risk factors in obese postmenopausal
women. Consequently, yoga exercise will be effective in
preventing cardiovascular disease caused by obesity in
obese postmenopausal Korean women.
Effect of short-term pranayama and meditation on
cardiovascular functions in healthy individuals. Heart
Views. 2011 Apr;12(2):58-62. by Ankad RB, Herur A,
Patil S, Shashikala GV, Chinagudi S. from Department of
Physiology, S. Nijalingappa Medical College, India.
CONTEXT: Asana, pranayama, and meditation are
three main techniques of yoga practiced in India over
thousands of years to attain functional harmony between
the body and mind. Recent studies on long-term yogic
practices have shown improvements in cardiovascular
functions.
AIM: The present study was conducted to ascertain
if a short-term practice of pranayama and meditation had
improvements in cardiovascular functions in healthy individuals
with respect to age, gender, and body mass index
(BMI).
DESIGN: This study was conducted in the Department
of physiology of S.N. Medical College, Bagalkot.
METHODS: Fifty healthy subjects (24 males and 26
females) of 20-60 years age group, fulfilling the inclusion
and exclusion criteria underwent two hours daily yoga
program for 15 days taught by a certified yoga teacher.
Pre and post yoga cardiovascular functions were assessed
by recording pulse rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic
blood pressure, and mean blood pressure. The parameters
were analyzed by Student's t test.
RESULTS: There was significant reduction in resting
pulse rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure,
and mean arterial blood pressure after practicing
pranayama and meditation for 15 days. The response was
similar in both the genders, both the age groups, 40 yrs and both the groups with BMI, 25 kg/m(2).
CONCLUSION: This study showed beneficial effects
of short term (15 days) regular pranayama and
meditation practice on cardiovascular functions by age,
gender, and BMI in healthy normal individuals.
Impact of Relaxation T raining According to Yoga in
Daily Life(®) System on Self-Esteem After B reast
Cancer Surgery. J Altern Complement Med. 2011 Nov
22. by Kovačič T, Kovačič M. from Centre for Education,
Work and Care Dobrna , Dobrna, Slovenia .
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this pilot study was to
gather information on the immediate and short-term effects
of relaxation training according to the Yoga In
Daily Life(®) system on the self-esteem of patients with
breast cancer.
DESIGN: This is a parallel-groups design.
SETTINGS/LOCATION: Baseline interventions took
place at the Institute for Oncology of Ljubljana
(Slovenia). At discharge, the experimental group was issued
with audiocassette recordings containing the instructions
for relaxation training to be practiced individually at
home for an additional 3 weeks.
SUBJECTS: The convenience sample of 32 patients
with breast cancer was recruited from an accessible population
of hospitalized women. Patients were randomized
to the experimental (n=16) and to the control group
(n=16).
INTERVENTIONS: Both groups received the same
standard physiotherapy for 1 week, while the experimental
group additionally received a group relaxation training
sessions according to the Yoga in Daily Life(®) system.
At discharge, the experimental group was issued with
audiocassette recordings containing similar instructions
32 Yang-Sheng (Nurturing Life) Volume 1, Issue No. 10