Role of yoga in prevention of obesity (Sthaulyata) a lifestyle disease

: Srotas are the internal transport system of the body which provides assistance for the activites of significant biofactors like tridosh, seven dhatu , the oja etc. Acharya Charak described 13 srotas and Acharya Shushrut described 11 pair of Srotas. Medovahasrotas is mentioned of meda to the destination tissue i.e., the channel which supply nutrition to medodhatu is known as medovaha srotas. Each srotas have their own places of origin known as moolasthana. and are the moolasthana of medovaha srotas mentioned in ayurvedic literatures. Medovaha srotas is vitiated by different Ahar, Vihar like etc these factor cause medo dushti resulting in medovridhi/sthaulyata. WHO defined obesity as a common chronic disorder of excessive body fat. India rank among top 10 obese nations. Obesity is caused from lack of physical activity with increased intake of food. The sedentary habits, lack of exercise and various variety among daily diet. eg., fast food, frozen food, increase amount of soft drinks canned food results in obesity. Yoga is essential a spiritual discipline based on an extremely subtle science which focuses on bringing harmony between body and mind. It plays important role in management of obesity and for effective prevention of progression complication. : The world is looking towards drugless therapies like Yoga and Naturopathy. Both are rapidly growing as the best alternative treatments. Sushruta has also mentioned the drugless therapy and quotes that the diseases may be cured by following proper diet and lifestyle without any medicine. But in the absence of proper diet and lifestyle, even after giving hundreds of medicines, the disease cant be cured. An attempt to evaluate utility of Yoga in the management of overweight and obesity has been made through this study. : The present study is a conceptual study done in P.G. department of Kriya Sharir, State Ayurvedic college and Hospital, lucknow : Life style modification involves altering long term habits, typically for eating or physical activity and maintaining the new behaviour. Yoga and life style modification can be used to treat a range of disease include obesity. Some Yoga and Asanas which are very helpful in reduce weight in obese persons are Trikonasana, Pawanmuktasana, Sarvangasana, Dhanurasana etc.