MAHARASHTRA, INDIA, December 31, 2006: Yoga is relatively more effective than more popular methods like aerobics in treating obesity, according to a study conducted by a reputed yoga institute in Lonavala, Maharashtra. Although both aerobics and yoga were found to be effective in controlling overweight and excessive body fat, yoga was found to be more effective and appropriate than aerobics for the purpose. The Kaivalyadhama Ashrama located in Lonavala conducted a one-month study on 204 male and female obese people between the ages of 15-60. While patients, who followed yoga and a strict diet, lost up to 33 lbs body fat and 95 percent of them reported their blood pressure levels reaching normal levels, those who followed aerobics lost only up to 17.6 lbs and only 25 percent of the latter group experienced normal blood pressure. Even at the psychological level, patients following yoga showed better results in reducing anxiety and neuroticism than those who followed aerobics. The study report recommends a combined approach on the basis of principles of yoga and aerobics, as it may prove better in the treatment of obesity.
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