Chakra nutrition, yoga key to weight loss in Eastern philosophies

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (KABC) -- Eastern medicine ties energy centers, known as chakras, to nutrition for overall health and weight loss.

"This has been going on for thousands of years. The nutrition aspect in that has come over the last decades within the Western world. We're just now kind of recognizing it a little bit more," said Teri Mosey, an exercise physiologist and holistic nutritionist who educates others on the energy chakras in the body.

Yoga expert Beth Shaw describes the chakras as seven energy centers that begin at the base of the spine and continue to the crown of the head. Certain chakras need the right food to stay balanced.

"What you eat is what you become," Shaw said.

She adds that journaling, meditation and checking inwards can also be helpful.

"The concept of it is to look at the body as a whole and to look at it in a holistic lens. When you do that, we recognize that we are not just a physical being," Mosey said.

For example, the second chakra is the abdominal area, ruling digestion. So look for foods that assimilate well.

For the brain chakra, go for greens and foods that promote clarity, even coffee.

The focus is not just cutting calories, but realizing all calories aren't created equal.

"The calories from a cookie are going to be very different from calories from a piece of lean salmon," Shaw said.

Shaw's book, "Yoga Lean," gives mental and physical exercises for losing weight without calorie or fat counting.

The goal is to listen to what the body wants and ultimately reduce consumption.

When it comes to being satisfied and knowing when to stop eating, it's less about calories and more about the weight of food.

Studies suggest the human stomach will feel full on approximately two cups of food. Yet most Americans are served about four to six cups at a sitting.

"You can shrink your stomach. If we can expand something, we can also contract it. You'll be able to smooth out blood sugar levels, your insulin, your cortisol," Shaw said.

Saying goodbye to diets and endless bouts of hard core exercise is an approach that might appeal to mind and body.