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Human body is more than simple physics and chemistry. At a more subtle level your mind controls body’s chemistry (metabolism) and physics (energy balance). It is more complicated than calories in, calories out scenario. However, it is vital for weight loss to eat less (calories) and burn more calories by exercising.

It is not enough though. Scientific studies indicated that chronic strain turns on a chemical messenger called neuropeptide Y, which is discover in body fat. This hormone raises the appetite, especially for carbohydrate-rich foods. It also causes your body to convert these calories into belly fat. It shows a double impact that will add pounds to your weight in a very short span of time.

Whenever we are stressed, we tend to swallow absentmindedly our food without deriving much satisfaction or pleasure. So we eat more. And like this is not bad enough, the chronic strain is also one of the main triggers for metabolic syndrome (glucose intolerance) that can turn to diabetes with all the related situations such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure and inflammation.

What to do? How to get rid of such critical condition? Well, meditation and yoga are perfect remedies for strain.

Meditation calms your mind and increases your threshold to strain. Again it works under the same pattern, mind over body. When meditating your body it discharges the good mood neurotransmitter Serotonin. In time your body turn out to be “addicted” to good mood hence a higher tolerance for strain.

Meditation also raises awareness that will eradicate the unconscious food stuffing beyond your body needs. You will eat calmer and slower and allow your body to send the message “enough” to your mind.

Now, combine these benefits with hatha-yoga (the physical part of yoga) and you obtain an unstoppable trend toward a slimmer and younger body. In fitness terminology they call this new, in vogue type of exercise Interval Training.

Sun salutation goes beyond that. It comprises stretching and the focus of mind. It was around for so long that it may have some extra value.

For the more advanced yoga practitioners, specific yogic postures (e.g. shoulder stand), activates and regulates the internal secretions of the thyroid gland -the master gland, that affects the fat metabolism.

Meditation (How to meditate) and yoga (Sun salutation) works synergistically toward an enhanced mind and body.