Yoga Therapy for Diabetes

Type II diabetes is most common form of diabetes. In type II diabetes, the pancreas produces insulin which is not enough for the body’s needs. Obese, overweight people are particularly at high risk of developing type II diabetes and its related medical problems.

Type II Diabetes can be controlled with weight management, nutrition and exercise.
The consistent practice of yoga asanas, Pranayam and few minutes of meditation can help reduce stress and protect the body from its adverse effects.

The following asanas should be practiced to manage diabetes :

While doing asanas our attention should be on performance of Asana. When we are completely involved in the Asana it helps in attaining strength, steadinesss, relaxation and higher awareness.

♦  VAJRASANA
Vajrasana is the only asana that can be practice after taking meals. It promotes proper digestion. Duration: 5 to10 minutes.
LIMITATIONS:

• Avoid this asana in case of knee problem, knee surgery, severe arthritis
• Pregnant women should avoid this asana
• People suffering spinal column ailments on lower vertebra, avoid this pose.
• People suffering from intestinal ulcers, hernia or problems related to large/small intestines should avoid this pose.

INSTRUCTIONS TO DO THE ASANA:

• Sit kneeling, stretching your lower legs backwards, keeping them together, big toes crossing each other.
• Lower your body such that your buttocks are resting on your heels and your thighs on your calf muscles.
• Place your hands on your knees and set your gaze forward with your head straight.
• Close your eyes and concentrate on your breathing.

♦  Bhujangasana

LIMITATIONS:

• People suffering from hernia, ulcers, spinal disorders should avoid it.
• Pregnant ladies, in case of abdominal surgeries do not practice bhujangasana.

INSTRUCTIONS TO DO THE ASANA:

• Lie on the abdomen
• Join legs and toes together pointing outwards
• Keep your forehead on the ground.
• Keep your arms on the sides near to your chest.
• Keep elbows closer to the body
• Inhale and raise the head neck and upper part of the abdomen like hood of a cobra.
• Keep no pressure on the hands
• You will feel the pressure on the lower abdomen.
• Exhale and slowly come down to the ground.
• Repeat 4-5 times.

♦  Pastimoutanasana

LIMITATIONS:

• People suffering from cardiac problems hypertension abdominal disorders should not do it.
• Pregnant ladies should not practice this asana.

INSTRUCTIONS TO DO THE ASANA:

• Sit on the mat and stretch out the legs to their full length with toes turned inward.
• Stretch out the arms parallel to the legs
• Exhale and reach out for the toes with the fingers.
• Keep on bending the head further to enable you to touch the knees with your forehead.
• Suspend the breath and maintain the pose.
• Inhale and return to the starting point.
• Repeat 3-4times

♦  Ardha Matsyendrasana
This asana massages the kidneys, pancreas, small intestines, gall bladder and liver helping to stimulate digestion and squeeze out toxins.

LIMITATIONS:

• People suffering from Heart, abdominal, spinal, vertebral or brain surgeries, stomach ulcers, hernia should not do it.
• This asana should not be practiced during pregnancy and menstruation.

INSTRUCTIONS TO DO THE ASANA:

• Sit on the mat and stretch out the legs straight.
• Fold the right over left leg’s knee.
• Fold the left leg with the left heel near the left buttock.
• Place the left hand on the right knee and right hand behind you.
• Twist the waist shoulders and neck in this sequence to the right and look over the right shoulder. Spine erect.
• Repeat to the other side.