Yoga for Diabetes

Yoga and Diabetes- An Alternate Therapy

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a situation that affects our growth pattern by hindering the production of energy within. Carbohydrates, as we know are the main source of energy. They won’t be able to give anything if the pancreas wouldn’t secrete the key element, insulin, which makes these carbs useful. Insulin, the sweet collector in our body gets activated the moment we gulp those tasty carbohydrates. It increases the uptake of glucose from all cells & initiates the conversion of glucose into glycogen in our liver, which behaves as the source of extra energy whenever needed.

Now imagine a condition when the pancreas (the production house for insulin) are not able to synthesize adequate quantity of insulin OR that the cells develop a resistance towards insulin, such that next time when it approaches the cells to pick up the glucose to take it to the liver, the cells just don’t give it. In either of the case, the ultimate result would be excess glucose in the blood stream.

Causes of Diabetes

  • Overweight
  • Stress
  • Genetic factors
  • Lack of exercise

Food or diet plays a significant role in the life of a diabetic. Selective, healthy food with adequate intake of fruits and vegetables along with regular exercise helps to keep diabetes in control.

Symptoms of Diabetes

  • Sudden weight loss
  • Excessive thirst
  • Increased hunger
  • Tiredness
  • Frequent urination
  • These are the most common symptoms of Diabetes Mellitus (literally implying: sweet urine).

Who stands at risk?

  • Those with both or either diabetic parents
  • Obese individuals
  • Over – stressed
  • Women during pregnancy can also develop Gestational Diabetes

Yoga & Diabetes

Yoga provides an alternate source of healing for diabetes. Yoga helps to strengthen the immune system, improves blood circulation and the flow of vital energy or prana to the internal organs of the body. The secretion of stress hormones, due to faulty diet, hectic lifestyle or wrong thinking is controlled by the practice of yoga.

Most of the diabetes yoga is bending-pose that gently compresses the organs beneath the abdomen - stomach, intestine, liver, and pancreas. This makes the organ to start functioning as expected, thus blood glucose keeps at its normal level.

The following are some basic Asanas or Yoga Poses for Obesity and Diabetes:

  • Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand) diabetes yoga

  • Halasana (Plough pose) diabetes yoga

  • Child-pose diabetes yoga

  • Paschimotasana (forward seated bend) diabetes yoga

  • Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Spinal Twist) diabetes yoga

  • Finish Yoga session with Savasana

Pranayama & Diabetes

Breathing excercises play a crucial role in the treatment of diabetes. As the usual “fatigues” feeling pervades the body, physical practices might seem a little difficult at times but pranayamas can be done at any time & these simple practices surely help in improving the blood circulation & increasing the energy levels. Other than this practicing pranayamas will reduce stress & enhance the endocrine functions of the body.

Meditation and relaxation for Diabetics

both theses aspects of yoga therapy are absolutely essential for all diabetics as it will help reducing the stress levels and harmonise the functioning of the body. It has been observed in relevant researches that regular medication can help an individual to combat the typical weakness in the body and maintain excellent  state of energy all the time.

The key to managing this disorder is to regularly exercise & burn those extra calories & always maintain a fiber & protein rich diet. Following the simple regime stated above would hardly take any time & maintaining this would keep diabetes at bay. This disorder has now struck many & India is believed to have become one of the most affected countries with this epidemic. It is our responsibility to keep those diabetic genetic impressions away from us & pass on a healthy disease free gene code to the next generation.