The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a 20-week yogic practice protocol, incorporating Asana, Pranayama, and Relaxation techniques, in improving overall physical function and lipid profile levels in a group of overweight women. Additionally, we aimed to compare the outcomes between the yoga protocol group and a control group. Elevated levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and total cholesterol are important risk factors for coronary heart disease. Another well-established predictor of cardiovascular disease is obesity, which has become widespread and reached epidemic proportions in developed countries, including Poland. For this study, we recruited 40 subjects who were randomly allocated to two groups: the yoga group (YG) and the control group (CG). The yoga group participated in a 5-month program, five days a week. After the intervention, we observed that HDL-C levels were maintained in the yoga group, with a reduction in the Enzymatic Calorimetric Method test (YG − 42.55, p< 0.05; CG − 39.70, p< 0.05). Additionally, low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) was reduced, with the Enzymatic Calorimetric Method test showing a greater reduction in the yoga group (YG − 116.956, p< 0.05; CG − 145.494, p< 0.05), and total cholesterol was reduced, with the Enzymatic Calorimetric Method test showing a greater reduction in the yoga group (YG – 1144.99, p< 0.05; CG – 1051.52, p< 0.05).

In summary, yogic training proved beneficial in improving HDL-C and reducing LDL-C, and total cholesterol levels. Furthermore, yoga practice demonstrated superior benefits in enhancing dynamic balance.