Hi today we are going to discuss about one of the best way to control diabetes.
Yes it’s yoga but before we discuss about how it help to control diabetes first discuss what yoga is, how it developed, what was its origin.
So let’s start by
WHAT YOGA IS ??
Yoga is a mind and body practice with a 5,000-year history in ancient Indian philosophy. Various styles of yoga combine physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation or relaxation.
In more recent years, it has become popular as a form of physical exercise based upon poses that promote improved control of the mind and body and enhance well-being.
There are several different types of yoga and many disciplines within the practice of yoga.
In the modern world, the South Asian art of yoga has expanded to all corners of the globe. While it is now a popular form of exercise and meditation, this has not always been the case.
Yoga has a long history of helping people achieve mental and physical balance.
There is no written record of the inventor of yoga.
Male yoga practitioners are known as yogis, and female yoga practitioners are called yoginis. Both practiced and taught yoga long before any written account of yoga came into existence.
Over the next five millennia, yogis passed the discipline down to their students, and many different schools of yoga developed as the practice expanded its global reach and popularity.
The “Yoga Sutra,” a 2,000-year-old treatise on yogic philosophy by the Indian sage Patanjali, is a guidebook on how to master the mind, control the emotions, and grow spiritually. The Yoga Sutra is the earliest written record of yoga and one of the oldest texts in existence and provides the framework for all modern yoga.
Yoga is well known for its postures and poses, but they were not a key part of original yoga traditions in India. Fitness was not a primary goal. Practitioners and followers of yogic tradition focused instead on other practices, such as expanding spiritual energy using breathing methods and mental focus.
The tradition began to gain popularity in the West at the end of the 19th century. An explosion of interest in postural yoga occurred in the 1920s and 1930s, first in India and later in the West.
Diabetes and Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the very essence of yoga, which basically means teaching yourself to be aware in the moment. Thoughts, movements, and emotions are all looked at from moment-to-moment, with no judgement or plan. It is also a coping mechanism and one that is very effective for diabetes management, as it helps people with diabetes come to terms with their illness and deal with it in a much calmer way. Mindfulness also helps people with diabetes adapt better to stress, depression and anxiety, and – in some cases – can help to eliminate these symptoms.
By avoiding negative thoughts and emotions and replacing them with feelings of contentment and even happiness, things like stress, anxiety, and depression are easier to handle. In terms of diabetes, it helps people to focus on the present and allows them to accept what they are feeling rather than try to change it. Mindfulness is effective in supporting diabetes management and the mental unrest that people with diabetes often face
How can Yoga Help Fight Diabetes?
Many studies have now shown that yoga is a great option for helping to fight diabetes. It can reduce high blood sugar levels and help blood glucose control. In addition, yoga helps to control stress, which also helps to decrease elevated blood sugar levels. Asanas, pranayama (breathing exercises) and meditation is an easy and economical way to help fight diabetes. Not only does it aid in glycaemic control, but it also improves the overall quality of life. Furthermore, yoga helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, which may then reduce insulin resistance syndrome. Insulin resistance syndrome means that your body is not responding to the insulin that it naturally makes, which causes an increase in blood sugar level. This can then result in type 2 diabetes. The idea is to help regulate stress hormones, as this will help with both blood pressure and blood glucose levels.
Even after doing just one yoga session there will be a reduction in blood glucose levels
Pranayama
Pranayama is the practice of controlling the breath, which is the supply of our prana (life force). In Sanskrit, it translates to the extension of the prana (life force), or, breath control. Pranayama originated in India as a yogic discipline to help with concentration. There are various forms of pranayama, each of which works on cleansing, calming or relaxing the body and the mind in different ways.
Pranayama is highly beneficial in treating stress-related disorders as well as controlling glycaemic levels and overall quality of life.
Can Yoga Cure Diabetes?
Yoga works by rejuvenating the main glands that are involved with diabetes, like the stress glands and the pancreas. As mentioned above, certain yoga positions can rejuvenate pancreatic cells, as well as reduce stress. It can also help diabetes patients control their holistic manner by recognising the effects that things such as stress, a bad diet, and emotional imbalance can have on their well-being and their diabetes. That said, can yoga cure diabetes?
The yogic treatment restores the normal functioning of the pancreas and other glands of the endocrinal system. When these glands begin to function properly, the individual is fully cured of the diabetic disorders and his health is restored to a normal level.” He also adds that initially, the patient should continue to take diabetic medications, but after three weeks of regular practice can gradually reduce it, with the end result being to stop taking it all together.
He treated patients with diabetes at the Indian Institute of Yoga and found that after around three months they were completely cured. Medicinal treatment for diabetes gives diabetes patients the insulin that their pancreas no longer produces, but never actually cures them of the disease.
Yoga and the Pancreas
Almost every yoga pose has some sort of therapeutic effect on various organs and glands, including the pancreas. By choosing to do asanas that help revive the normal function of the endocrinal system, you can help restore the normal functioning of the pancreas. In the beginning, it is best to stick with asanas that are easily performed, and progress as your energy levels, flexibility and strength increase. We will get more into details on what yoga poses are best for diabetes later.
Yoga Asanas
The physical side of yoga will also improve the lives of people with diabetes as well as help fight it. Exercise (along with diet and medication) has been a foundation of diabetes management. Yoga asanas are often mentioned as a great form of exercise for diabetes patients, as it rejuvenates pancreatic cells, promotes weight loss, exercises the muscles and improves mental attitude. Basically, certain yoga postures can promote the production of insulin-producing beta cells, increase glucose uptake in muscular cells, improve weight control and help to create the right mental approach when it comes to dealing with diabetes.
Yoga asanas can help bring balance and health to all aspects of your life; physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. As such, it is an attractive alternative to traditional strength training regimes and aerobic exercises. Plus, it can be done right in your home with very little equipment. It is not as strenuous as many other forms of exercise but can burn just as many calories and make you feel great, both inside and out.
In terms of practicing yoga for diabetes, there have been numerous studies to prove that yoga has an enormous impact on glycaemic control, and as a result is beneficial in the management of diabetes.
What Style of Yoga is Best for Diabetes?
We now know that a regular yoga practice will help reduce blood sugar levels, stimulate the pancreas, and lower blood pressure. Yoga is also proven to be excellent for weight loss. With obesity being a major contributing cause of diabetes, yoga for weight loss will definitely help in diabetes management. But with so many styles of yoga out there today, it is hard to know what style of yoga is best for diabetes.
Yoga for Type 1 Diabetes
Yoga is great for the body and the mind, and it also improves the working of endocrine glands and blood circulation – we also know that it helps to manage stress. Due to the fact that people with type 1 diabetes cannot naturally produce the insulin that is needed when they are stressed, blood sugar readings can get high, which is dangerous. Yoga helps to relax the sympathetic nervous system, which helps the endocrine glands. It also teaches you to embrace what you have and to let go of things that are out of your control.
Having type 1 diabetes is stressful enough on its own without additional everyday stress factors. So learning to accept the disease and not let it take over your life (i.e. depression, anxiety, and stress) is important. Yoga also promotes mindfulness, making you more aware of yourself inside and out, as well as your surroundings. In addition, it promotes healthy eating and mindful eating; meaning to control binge and/or emotional eating.
Type 1 diabetes is much harder to control than type 2, but regular exercise (like yoga) improves blood glucose regulation. This can then mean that daily insulin dosages can be reduced. It also decreases the risk of other complications than can occur in people with type 1 diabetes. Yoga will also improve vascular complications, as it reduces dyslipidaemia and helps to control oxidative stress.
People with type 1 diabetes need to be very careful not to do any strenuous exercise or more powerful forms of yoga. Slow-paced yoga is the best form of yoga for people living with type 1 diabetes.
The Best Yoga Poses for Diabetes
There are many styles of yoga and thousands of different yoga poses. When doing yoga for diabetes, it is important to do as many asanas as possible to stimulate the pancreas, as well as others that help you to lose weight, maintain a healthy weight and build muscle. Pranayama is an important part of yoga for diabetes and can be done on its own, or at the end of your yoga practice. These are the six best yoga poses for diabetes.
Ardha Vakrasana
Known as the Half Spinal Twist Pose, Ardha Vakrasana is a gentle twisting pose where the upper body twists, while the lower part of the body is being stretched. One of the main beneficial areas of this asana is on the waist and abdomen, as it stimulates all of the organs and glands in this part of the body, including the pancreas, the adrenal glands, and the sexual organs. It is also great for relieving constipation, backaches and spinal disorders.
Dhanurasana
Dhanurasana (bow pose) is a little bit difficult to perform but is excellent for activating the glands of the endocrinal system. When doing this pose, the pancreas gets fully energised, so it is a natural conditioner for it. Doing dhunurasana can potentially restore the pancreas back to health. This is particularly important for people with type 2 diabetes. As well, it is good for the thyroid, stomach ailments, and weight loss.
Uttanpadasana
Uttanpadasana is a pose that is done laying on your back and can be done one leg at a time or raising both at the same time. This asana corrects disorders of the pancreas, like diabetes, as well as working with all of the internal and external abdominal muscles. It can also have a great effect on constipation, indigestion and intestinal disorders. Uttanpadasana activates the entire nervous system and energises the inner cells.
Sarvangasana
Shoulder stand is an excellent pose for controlling and treating diabetes, as it massages the internal organs, which then activates the glandular-system. Sarvangasana also increases blood circulation so that your glands start to work to their full capacity. It is good for metabolism, increasing energy and regulating the thyroid glands. For people with diabetes, this pose will help control blood sugar, metabolise sugar and improve the function of the pancreas.
Kapalbhati
Kapalbhati (fire breath) is a pranayama exercise that helps to cure and control diabetes when practiced regularly. It improves the strength and function of the pancreas and regenerates its beta cells. Another benefit of Kapalbhati is that it helps to lower sugar levels almost immediately.
Bhujangasana
Commonly known by many as cobra pose, Bhujangasana is extremely beneficial for people with diabetes. It tones the reproductive system, stimulates the internal organs and stretches the spine. It is also known to improve blood circulation, relieve constipation and energise the heart.
Conclusion
If you are suffering with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, then you should seriously consider doing yoga as a way to manage it, and possibly even alleviate all symptoms. Yoga for diabetes has been proven to be an essential part of living with diabetes and improving the lives of the people that suffer from this disease. Like anything else, you should always speak to your doctor before starting a regular yoga practice. When you are ready, be sure to find a teacher that is knowledgeable about diabetes and yoga for diabetes
Benefits of Yoga for Diabetes
Everyone benefits from yoga - if they undergo proper training and continue with the
practice. Regular practice of yoga benefits the body in the following ways which :
· It improves digestion, circulation, and immunity
· Yoga enhances function of neurological and endocrine organs
· It can prevents and provides relief from chronic illnesses
· Overall the body feels healthier, more energetic
So at last I would like to say that you (all including non diabetic) should practise yoga daily
If left with any query or doubt you can comment in the comment section given below.
