By Matthew Papaconstantinou • September 8th, 2009

Research Proving Yoga Works In Reducing Body Fat, Blood Pressure, and Decreasing Cardiovascular Risk.

Did you know that heart disease, medically known as Cardiovascular Disease, or CVD, is the number one killer and disabler in developed nations including the United States? Even more scary is the fact that for many, heart disease does not have to kill. This preventable disease is linked to many other health conditions some of which you may already have or are at risk for.

One of the highest risks for heart disease is a collection of health issues known as *Insulin Resistance* (IRS) or metabolic syndrome. The main features of IRS are excess belly fat, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, glucose intolerance, and high cholesterol of the unhealthy kind.

Interestingly, a recent investigation has shown that up to 70 studies have proven that yoga can help reduce many of the above mentioned diseases and risks associated with heart disease. Better still, both healthy and unhealthy individuals reaped benefits from yoga.

Yoga: A Physical And Mental Discipline

Yoga is an ancient mind-body discipline that originated in India over 4,000 years ago. There are many styles of Hindu yoga including Raja, or classical, Hatha, forceful, and Mantra, chanting. Raja and Hatha yoga both have specific postures known as asanas, encompassing both relaxing and active positions, along with concentration, known as dharana, meditation, called dhyana, and breath control, also known as pranayama. Hatha yoga is one of the best known forms of yoga in the Western world and includes the Bikram, Ashtanga, Kundalini, and Integral styles.

Yoga has become increasingly popular in the US as a noninvasive activity that can improve fitness, reduce stress levels, and reduce obesity. Yoga can be taken up by folk in all states of health and fitness, and is simple to learn. Yoga does not require much financial outlay or equipment, and has
had no reported ill effects....

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Location:  , US

Dr. Matthew Papaconstantinou is a research fellow at Washington University School of Medicine where he is currently researching obesity and cardiovascular disease. Matthew owns *www.weightlosstriumph.com* where he publishes current research findings related to weight loss. He...