Yoga, bioenergetics and eating behaviors: A conceptual review

Abstract

Yoga is an ancient oriental discipline that emerged from mystical and philosophical concepts. Today it is practiced in the west, partly due to the promotion of its benefits to improve the lifestyle and overall health. As compared to non-Hatha Yoga (HY) practitioners, healthier and better-eating patterns have been observed in those who practice it. Agreement with the brought benefits, HY can be used as a therapeutic method to correct abnormal eating behaviors (AEB), obesity, and some metabolic diseases. However, the energy expenditure during traditional protocols of HY is not high; hence, it is not very effective for reducing or maintaining body weight or to improve cardiovascular conditioning. Even so, several observational studies suggest significant changes in eating behaviors, like a reduction in dietary fat intake and increments in that of fresh vegetables, whole grains and soy-based products, which in turn may reduce the risk for cardiovascular diseases. Given the inconsistency of the results derived from cross-sectional studies, more case–control studies are needed to demonstrate the efficacy of HY as an alternative method in the clinical treatment of disordered eating and metabolic diseases.

Vegetarian ethnic foods of South India: review on the influence of traditional knowledge

“…Sattvik , Rajasic and Tamasic foods and this categorization method also has a deep-rooted reference in the universally accepted song of the lord “ Bhagavad Gita ” verse 17.7 [ 72 – 74 ]. Literature suggests that Sattvik foods like vegetable, fruits, nuts and whole grains are non-irritating to the stomach and induce calmness and nobility to the person consuming by increasing energy of mind; Rajasic foods like meat, eggs, fish, spices, onions, garlic, hot peppers and pickles confer emotional, passionate, restless qualities like anger, delusion, fantasies and egotism; and Tamasic foods like leftovers, stale, overripe, spoiled foods are considered to produce negative emotions like pessimism, laziness and doubt [ 75 ]. As per Chandogya Upanishad 6.5.4 , while quality of food which is being consumed is known to influence the mind, people with the innate dispositions of Sattva , Rajas and Tamas, seems to prefer the foods which are associated with their respective innate dispositions [ 76 ].…”

Physical and mental health at high altitude of individuals doing yogic practices

“…The advance SKY protocol is for 4 days started at 5.00 am till late evening 8.00 pm and vegetarian diet (Satvik food) was served. Satvik food is high on “ prana ” which includes fresh fruits, vegetables, and cooked food which are consumed within 8 h. [ 17 , 18 ] This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anushandhan Samsthan (SVYASA) University, Bengaluru, India RES/IECSVYASA/165/2020 and Sri Sri Institute of Advanced Research (SSIAR), Bengaluru, India (vide SSIAR/IEC/05). Healthy participants (male and female) in the age group of 20–65 years who had prior SKY meditation experience and completed SKY basic program were enrolled in the study.…”

Epigenetic Mechanisms of Integrative Medicine

“…Records indicate that yoga improves the daily dietary choices made by practitioners, including avoidance of high-fat foods and increased intake of fresh vegetables and whole grains; this in turn lowers the risk for cardiovascular disease and presents a positive alternative for combatting the obesity epidemic and eating disorders [85]. …”

“…Yoga is an excellent alternative therapeutic approach for treating “lifestyle problems” caused by epigenetic or environmental factors such as mood and anxiety disorders [ 84 ]. Records indicate that yoga improves the daily dietary choices made by practitioners, including avoidance of high-fat foods and increased intake of fresh vegetables and whole grains; this in turn lowers the risk for cardiovascular disease and presents a positive alternative for combatting the obesity epidemic and eating disorders [ 85 ].…”