Author: Chauhan A1, Semwal DK2, Mishra SP3, Semwal RB4
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Uttarakhand Ayurved University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India.
<sup>2</sup>Department of Phytochemistry, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Uttarakhand Ayurved University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India.
<sup>3</sup>Uttarakhand Ayurved University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India.
<sup>4</sup>Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.
Conference/Journal: Int J Yoga.
Date published: 2017 May-Aug
Other:
Volume ID: 10 , Issue ID: 2 , Pages: 103-106 , Special Notes: doi: 10.4103/ijoy.IJOY_46_16. , Word Count: 231
BACKGROUND: Yoga, an ancient Indian system of exercise and therapy is an art of good living or an integrated system for the benefit of the body, mind, and inner spirit. Regular practice of yoga can help to increase blood flow to the brain, reduce stress, have a calming effect on the nervous system, and greatly help in reducing hypertension.
AIM: Aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of 1-month yoga practice on body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure (BP).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was conducted to determine the effect of yoga practice on 64 participants (age 53.6 ± 13.1 years) (experimental group) whereas the results were compared with 26 healthy volunteers (control group). We examined the effects of yoga on physiological parameters in a 1-month pilot study. Most of the participants were learner and practiced yoga for 1 h daily in the morning for 1 month. BMI and BP (systolic and diastolic) were studied before and after 1 month of yoga practice.
RESULTS: Yoga practice causes decreased BMI (26.4 ± 2.5-25.22 ± 2.4), systolic BP (136.9 ± 22.18 mmHg to 133 ± 21.38 mmHg), and diastolic BP (84.7 ± 6.5 mmHg to 82.34 ± 7.6 mmHg). On the other hand, no significant changes were observed in BMI and BP of control group.
CONCLUSION: This study concludes that yoga practice has potential to control BMI and BP without taking any medication.
KEYWORDS: Body mass index; hypertension; pranayama; systolic and diastolic blood pressure; yoga practice
PMID: 28546682 PMCID: PMC5433109 DOI: 10.4103/ijoy.IJOY_46_16