Yoga is a form of exercise or practice that boomed into popularity in recent years. It was widely popularized as a form of meditation that would help one physically and mentally. More than a mere exercise routine, yoga can be described more as a lifestyle that will help you improve your total wellbeing. Just like any other form of exercise, yoga can also be used in multiple ways to gain results. So, today, let’s try to understand how an individual with diabetes can use yoga for their wellbeing.
What is Yoga?
Most of us will have some idea about yoga through social media. You may even have seen other individuals involved in yoga. But that doesn’t mean you have a proper understanding of it. Yoga can be different things to different people. Ultimately how you do yoga differs from individual to individual. So, before describing how an individual affected with diabetes can use yoga for their betterment, let’s gather a basic understanding of it.
Yoga is a holistic practice that originated in ancient India. It has recently gained worldwide popularity. It combines physical postures called asanas, breath control called pranayama, meditation, and ethical principles to promote physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing. Now, let’s look at what each of these elements in yoga affects you individually.
Function of each element in Yoga
The physical aspect of yoga involves performing various postures or asanas that improve flexibility, strength, and balance. These postures range from gentle stretches to more challenging poses, allowing individuals to progress gradually at their own pace.
- Pranayama, the practice of breath control, involves conscious breath regulation. It helps one to calm their mind, increase energy levels, and balance the nervous system. Different breathing techniques are employed to achieve specific effects, such as deep relaxation or heightened focus.
- Meditation is another integral part of yoga. It encourages individuals to cultivate mindfulness and self-awareness. Through meditation, one learns to quiet the mind, let go of distractions, and experience a state of inner peace and clarity.
- Yoga is not just a physical exercise; it also encompasses ethical principles known as the Yamas and Niyamas. These principles guide practitioners to lead a balanced and ethical life. It also helps to promote qualities such as honesty, non-violence, contentment, self-discipline, and self-reflection.
So, overall, yoga offers individuals a holistic approach to health and wellbeing, benefiting the body, mind, and spirit. Now, let’s come back to the topic and find out how this holistic approach called yoga can help someone with diabetes.
Yoga postures for people with diabetics
As we discussed earlier, yoga can be a beneficial practice for managing diabetes by promoting overall health, reducing stress, and improving blood circulation. Well sounds good, right? Here let’s look at some yoga poses and practices that may be helpful for individuals with diabetes:
- Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar): Sun Salutations are a sequence of yoga poses that help warm up the body and increase flexibility. They can be a good starting point for your yoga practice.
- Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana): This pose helps stretch the back of the body, including the hamstrings, calves, and lower back. It stimulates the abdominal organs, thereby improving digestion and regulating blood sugar levels.
- Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana): Bridge Pose helps activate the pancreas, which plays a vital role in insulin production. It also strengthens the back, improves digestion, and relieves stress.
- Half Spinal Twist (Ardha Matsyendrasana): This twisting pose massages the abdominal organs, including the pancreas and liver, promoting better digestion and insulin regulation.
- Legs-Up-the-Wall Pose (Viparita Karani): This restorative pose helps relax the body and mind while also improving circulation. It can be beneficial for reducing stress and relieving symptoms of diabetes.
- Breathing exercises (Pranayama): Deep breathing exercises, such as Kapalabhati (Skull Shining Breath) and Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing), can help calm the mind, reduce stress, and balance the nervous system.
To Conclude
Dietary restrictions are one of the first things that come into mind when discussing diabetics. Medications come next. But no one thinks about making positive lifestyle changes like including yoga in your daily routine. So, maybe it is high time we look in the other direction and try to find multiple options to help you live a fruitful life. Go ahead and incorporate yoga to bring order into your chaotic life.
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