So the fact that yoga is good for you is no secret. But, when middle age starts creeping in, you can easily use it to keep of the pounds instead of the strenuous workouts that you may have been used to doing during your younger years.

Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Research Center have found that overweight people in their 50's who practice yoga regularly lost approximately 5 pounds over ten years. This is pretty good compared to the average 13.5 pound weight gain that those of the same age range and weight group usually experience without practicing yoga.

One member of the research team, Alan Kristal, said that the weight loss doesn't have anything to do with burning calories by saying, "Except for very strenuous yoga practices, you don't really burn enough energy to make any difference in terms of weight."

Kristal, who has practiced yoga for 10 years, said that the mental aspect of the exercise is what has the most impact on a person's weight. He believes that yoga allows someone to get in touch with their bodies, helping them to identify and avoid eating for stress, boredom, or depression.

The research team gathered information from 1,500 people between the ages of 53 and 57 about their exercise habits, general health, and diet history. They found that those who practiced yoga were more likely to avoid junk food and other unhealthy foods, saying they had a greater respect for their bodies.