• Dr. Anil Kumar
• Dr. Udesh Kumar

Abstract Background: Sthaulya (obesity) is a significant lifestyle disorder described in Ayurveda, characterized by excessive accumulation of Meda Dhatu (adipose tissue) and associated with several debilitating symptoms known as Ashta Dosha (eight flaws), such as Daurbalya (weakness) and Kshudraswasa (breathlessness).¹﹐² Yogic practices are increasingly recognized for their therapeutic potential.³ Objective: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of Suryanamaskara (Sun Salutation) and Kapalbhati Pranayama in managing the subjective complaints associated with Sthaulya.⁴ Methods: A 60-day, open-label, randomized clinical trial was conducted on 60 patients diagnosed with Sthaulya.⁵ Patients were randomly allocated into two groups of 30. Group A performed Kapalbhati Pranayama for 15 minutes daily, and Group B performed Suryanamaskara for 15 minutes daily.⁵ Subjective parameters, including Gatrasad (lassitude), Dorbalya (weakness), Atikshudha (excessive hunger), Kshudrashwasa (breathlessness), and Swedadhikaya (excessive sweating), were assessed using a 5-point multi-dimensional scoring system.⁶ Within-group analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and between-group comparison was done using the Mann-Whitney test.⁷ Results: Within Group A (Kapalbhati), no statistically significant (p > 0.05) relief was observed in any of the subjective complaints.⁸ In contrast, Group B (Suryanamaskara) showed statistically significant within-group relief for Gatrasad (p=0.002), Atikshudha (p=0.008), Kshudrashwasa (p=0.002), and Swedadhikaya (p=0.004), and highly significant relief for Dorbalya (p<0.001).⁹ The comparative analysis (Group A vs. B) revealed a statistically highly significant difference in favor of Group B for Gatrasad (p<0.001) and Dorbalya (p<0.001), and a significant difference for Swedadhikaya (p=0.012) and Alpavyavaya (p=0.010).¹⁰ Conclusion: Suryanamaskara was found to be significantly more effective than Kapalbhati Pranayama in alleviating the primary subjective complaints and improving the overall quality of life for patients with Sthaulya.

Sthaulya, Obesity, Suryanamaskara, Kapalbhati, Ayurveda, Subjective Parameters, Clinical Trial

"The Effect of Suryanamaskara versus Kapalbhati Pranayama on Subjective Parameters in Sthaulya (Obesity): A Randomized Clinical Trial", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 10, page no.e220-e223, October-2025, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2510434.pdf

"The Effect of Suryanamaskara versus Kapalbhati Pranayama on Subjective Parameters in Sthaulya (Obesity): A Randomized Clinical Trial", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 10, page no. ppe220-e223, October-2025, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2510434.pdf