There is no lack of contradiction in health studies.  It's confusing.  Take exercise recommendations.  Do 20 minutes of interval exercise have the same benefits of an hour of conventional workouts?  Is 30 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise?   Is it fats or carbohydrates or sugar or Twinkies that's causing our weight problem?  Is the Paleo diet the answer?  

Let me add one more.  Resting can help reduce the levels of subcutaneous fat.  What, you say?  I thought that required trips to the gym, boring diet food and no more Grande Starbuck White Mocha (470 calories).  

High levels of cortisol, produced by the body in response to stress, contribute to weigh gain and specifically fat collection around the beltline(1).  By reducing stress, can we reduce weight and corresponding belly fat.  Here's where the yoga comes in.  A branch of yoga, called restorative yoga, is the practice of using props to support the body in restful postures.  These various postures often support the spine in flexion, extension and twisting. There may also be an inversion, like legs up the wall.  Positions are held for an extended period of time, often 15 minutes or more.  Resting flips nervous system from the fight/flight to the relaxation state.  Sorry, couch surfing with reruns of Breaking Bad is not considered resting.  

A recent study (2), reported in Journal of Diabetes(3) and Its Complications measured the effects of restorative yoga on markers that contribute to metabolic syndrome and specifically diabetes.  The participants practiced restorative yoga for one year.  Practice consisted of time with an instructor and 3-30 minute practice sessions at home 3 times a week.

Researchers collected data at the beginning of the study and at months 3, 6 and 12.   At 12 months, weight had dropped almost 4 lbs, waist circumference decreased about 1 inch and fasting glucose and fasting insulin both went down. The group significantly improved their physical activity levels and decreased their total calorie intake (by 200-250 kcal/day).   All from just resting.

Many people's lifestyles, whether by choice or not, is incredibly stressful.  Additionally, different bodies react differently to stress triggers.  It benefits us to find a way throughout our day to find the time to relax.  It's healthy for the body and calms our monkey mind. In addition to restorative yoga, it can be many other modalities.  For some, it's prayer or meditation or mantra.  Regardless of what fits your lifestyle, find some time, preferably every day, to put down the iPad, cover your eyes, set a timer for 20 minutes, put your feet up on the couch and chill.  

(2)  I was either the assistant or lead instructor in 3 studies at UCSF Women's Research Center, including the study that resulted in this report.    

(3) http://www.jdcjournal.com/

  Want to read some of my previous articles?  You can do it here.  Enjoy.