Namaskar Dear Ones,
Today a colleague pointed out that we do not have a thread on this subject. Therefore, some of the information below may be useful. If you have diabetes, please be sure you consult with your doctor before practicing asanas or pranayama. If you are a Yoga teacher, please ask your diabetic student to consult with his, or her, doctor.
Diabetics, who commit to the regular practice of Yoga, will likely experience less dependence on insulin. Studies have found that significant drops in the average blood glucose levels occur in type II diabetics, when they practice Yoga on a regular basis. Additional findings demonstrate an increase in nerve function.
Neuropathy is another major complication of diabetes. Neuropathies are a family of nerve disorders that often result in numbness, tingling, and sometimes, pain. Yoga has been shown to help prevent the onset of neuropathy. In diabetics with sub-clinical neuropathy, yoga can relieve symptoms.
Not least important is the stress reduction power of Yoga. Through focus on breathing slowly, and deliberately, stress levels are reduced. Glucagon secretion is enhanced by stress, which raises the blood sugar. Through effective stress management, and increased balance in the body, this can be prevented and reversed.
The following sequences and poses are beneficial to diabetic students:
Sun Salutations – This sequence of poses is great for diabetics. The flowing series of movements increases blood flow to all parts of the body, improving insulin administration.
Peacock Pose (Mayurasana) – The peacock pose is said to tone up the pancreas, kidneys, and liver. Improved digestion is another benefit.
Locust Pose – The locust benefits the nerves by reducing tension. The constriction and release, in the muscles of the back, relaxes muscles. The movement also stimulates the pancreas.
Chest-Knee Pose – Also called the Knees to Chest pose, this posture provides a great deal of support for digestion. The lower digestive tract is soothed and stimulated by this posture. Lower back pain is also relieved by the stretching of those muscles. It reduces tension.
The Cobra Pose, Bow Pose, Leg Lift and Half-Moon pose are also recommended. Try abdominal pumping as a part of the student’s regimen to further stimulate the organs.
Diabetic students must remember that Yoga is more than just exercise. In addition to breathing control, and muscle stretching, Yoga includes behavioral modifications, and diet control, through mental discipline. The positive effects of the physical, must be tempered with enhanced mental will power. The best benefit of regular Yoga practice is an increase in quality of life and happiness.
Yoga instructors need to work closely with diabetic students in order to maximize the health advantages from Yoga. Recent findings reveal the many positive effects that Yoga has on diabetes.
Yoga cannot cure” diabetes, but there are several ways Yoga can be beneficial in controlling diabetes. If medically prescribed regimens are followed by diabetic students, they can safely add Yoga to their treatment. Due to the potential impact on their glucose levels, and overall body function, great strides can be made through regular committed Yoga practice.
The benefits of Yoga on circulation are tremendous. This is one of the reasons yoga is so healthy for people suffering from a variety of ailments. Circulatory problems, in diabetics, are the primary cause of many devastating side effects. Yoga’s focus on breathing, stretching and rotational movements, by nature, improves circulation.
Yoga also helps maintain the elasticity of blood vessels. This further assists in good circulation. In turn, increased oxygen is supplied to internal organs and the important glands of the endocrine system. When the blood vessels remain elastic, this means better heart health and decreased risk of stroke.
Back bends are especially good for the cardiovascular system. Yoga teachers should encourage diabetic students to incorporate back bends into their postures. If a student has mobility problems, because of age or obesity, consider assisted back bends with props to support his, or her, body, neck, and head.
Digestion is improved through movements and breath control of Yoga (pranayama). Pancreas and liver operation is also enhanced. The rotations of certain postures also massage the glands of the endocrine system, encouraging hormone production.
The effects of Yoga on persons with diabetes are extremely healthful. But sometimes cause the unexpected. Be conscious of potential effects of Yoga on diabetic students.
Diabetes is more prevalent disorder over the last decade than ever. While many struggle to control their diabetes, sometimes simply following the doctor’s orders are frustrating enough.
Many studies show that Yoga postures impact fasting blood glucose levels, reducing them in some studies by as much as 50 milligrams per deciliter (or 50 points) in type II research subjects. In addition to this drop in blood sugar, there is an increase in nerve function.
Certain postures and movements stimulate the glands of the body and have the most profound impact. Asanas, the yogic postures that induce relaxation, and certain breathing exercises, stimulate the pancreas. This is theorized to occur because of alternating contraction and release of the abdominal muscles, the pancreas is stimulated. An increase in blood flow and oxygen to the organ increases efficiency.
The rotation of the body, as well as holding position and stretching the body, in these positions increases circulation. Poor circulation is a major side effect of diabetes and leads to long term complications. Increased circulation and oxygen to the body helps everything function better and several glands within the endocrine system are vitalized. Yoga helps retain the elasticity of blood vessels and reduces high blood pressure in some cases. Additionally, lethargy and depression are relieved by these effects on the body.
Practicing yoga on a regular basis helps diabetics increase nerve function and relieve the symptoms of sub-clinical neuropathy, as well as prevent some onset.
Meditation is an imperative part of yoga practice. Attaining a relaxed and concentrated mental state relieves stress and brings about a calming affect on the nervous system. High stress levels cause drastic changes in blood glucose levels in some diabetics, so learning to meditate effectively is a useful management method.
It’s difficult for yoga to have much impact on type I diabetes due to the fact that the body ds not produce any insulin at all; therefore stimulation of the endocrine system is not as effective. That ds not mean there is no effect, but the impact of yoga on type II diabetes is much more dramatic.
However, in studies a decreased dosage was needed by many participants who were insulin dependent. A study comparing aerobic activity found that direct stimulation of the pancreas by yoga positions were more effective in stimulating the endocrine system than more exertive activity.
These positive impacts are very encouraging; however diabetic students must regularly monitor their glucose levels and take proper medication. It is likely that after practicing yoga on a regular basis, the amount of the required medicine will decline.
Many diabetic students may not be aware of the potential decrease in their blood glucose levels. Educate them of this possibility and devote extra attention to their progress. Additionally, it is recommended that glucose tablets be kept on hand in case of a sudden drop in blood sugar.
OM Shanti,
Paul
Yoga Teacher Training Forum » Yogic Health (health benefits, issues and constraints of practice) » Yoga and specific health conditions
Yoga for Diabetes
(4 posts) (4 voices)-
Posted 3 years ago #
-
Namaskar Paulji and Fellow Teachers,
It is said Diabetes will take more than 340,000 American lives each year. This number will increase as a younger generation (1-30 years of age) is used to a steady intake of poor quality fast junk food.
Presently, more than 85 percent are Type II diabetics. Diabetes can create side effects like stroke, heart disease, blindness, hypertension and circulatory disorders leading to amputation of ts, feet and legs, and kidney failure.
Hatha Yoga is a method to reverse diabetes and prevent its manifestation in the body.
Hatha yoga can get you on the path to good health.
Daily aerobic exercise helps control blood sugar and improve circulation (poor circulation is a major complication of diabetes). Walking is highly recommended.
All exercise of any kind reduces the amount of insulin needed to regulate blood sugar levels. In some cases, proper diet and exercise are all that are required to maintain normal blood sugar levels.
Certain Yoga postures have a therapeutic effect upon vital organs and glands. Those asanas that help the pancreas should be performed by diabetics. Below is a recommended list of movements and asanas.
Soorya Namaskar (Sun Salutation Series)
Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)
Dandayamana-Bibbaktapada Pashimotthanasana (Standing Head to Knee Pose)
Ardha Kurmasana (Half Tortoise Pose)
Salabhasana (Locust Pose)
Sasangasana (Rabbit Pose)
Trikonasana (Triangle Pose)
Tuladandasana (Balancing Stick Pose)
Janushirasana with Pashimotthanasana (Head to Knee with Stretching Pose)
Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon pose)
Poorna Salabhasana (Full Locust Pose)
Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)
Ustrasana (Camel Pose)
My suggestion is perform each posture or series three times per day, walk at least 8 miles per day, and eat the food your doctor recommends.
Blessings to you.Posted 3 years ago # -
Below is a related article by Amy Stephens to this Yoga for diabetes thread.
Yoga Helps Reduce Diabetes Complications
By Amy Stephens
Yoga has been widely studied as a means to help reduce (and sometimes eliminate) many diabetes complications. Some of these side effects include reduced blood flow, kidney failure, urinary failure, and blindness. Many researchers believe that practicing yoga and taking daily aid products regularly can help to stimulate blood circulation and massage internal organs, which can provide long-lasting physical benefits to individuals suffering from diabetes.Additionally, exercise (including yoga) can have long-term benefits for diabetics. Physical exercise has been proven to reduce stress, decrease body fat, stimulate organ functions and blood circulation, and decrease blood sugar levels.Yoga and other forms of exercise have been shown to have a positive impact on every type of diabetes, including Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
3 Yoga Postures
Yoga is an ancient practice of bending, stretching, and challenging the body to hold certain postures for a prolonged period of time. There are several different types of yoga, including Bikram (hot yoga), Hatha yoga (body balancing), and Ashtanga (rigorous) yoga. Each type of yoga provides different benefits and postures.
However, all yoga styles are similar in that they massage the organs, develop muscles, and increase blood flow and oxygen levels throughout the body. Yoga has clear physical and mental benefits for Diabetics.
Some yogis (yoga teachers) even believe that practicing yoga regularly can reverse many Diabetic symptoms, including increased hunger, weight gain, poor circulation, and stress.There are some easy-to-practice yoga postures that are especially beneficial to Diabetics. These postures massage the pancreas and glands, which help to regulate blood sugar levels. They also help to stretch the abdomen and spine. If you have just a few minutes a day to dedicate to yoga practice, check out these postures:
• Half-moon - stand with your feet touching at the heels and toes. Reach your arms over your head sideways and link fingers. Extend the index finger of each hand, as if pointing to the ceiling. Slowly bend towards one side of the room from your belly button to the tips of your fingers. As you deepen the bend, push your hips in the opposite direction of the bend. Be sure to keep your arms and legs straight while pushing your fingers and heels in opposite directions.
• Cobra - lay on the floor, belly-down. Place the palms of your hands flat on the floor underneath your shoulders. Make sure your arms are parallel from the shoulder to the elbow and elbow to the wrists. Look to the ceiling, stretching your eyes and head upward. Slowly lift your torso off of the ground so that it meets the ground at your belly button. Remember to breathe deeply in this pose to strengthen and lengthen the spine and torso.
• Bow - with your belly on the floor and eyes stretched towards the ceiling, reach both arms out to your sides. Bend your legs at the knees towards the ceiling and reach down to grab your heals from the outside of your legs. Push your legs towards the ceiling, lifting your torso as well. Rock towards your chest as much as possible. Try to hold this pose as long as you can.One of the many benefits of yoga is weight loss as you develop your muscle mass and burn fat.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Yoga Asanas for Diabetics
A daily yoga practice is beneficial for people with mild to moderate Type 2 Diabetes. Yoga does not seem to have a curative effect on people with Type 1 Diabetes. Yogic exercise's slow rhythmic stretching can stimulate the endocrine glandular system's organs such as the pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, thymus, adrenals, and pancreas helping to normalize blood-sugar levels. It does so by increasing the blood supply to organs that aid in the production of insulin. And, the breathing performed during yogic asanas help to increase the oxygen levels and reduces carbon dioxide levels in the blood.
Clinical Evidence that Yogic Exercise Helps Type 2 Diabetes
In the July 2002 Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, findings from a study conducted at the Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital in Delhi, India were published. The goal of the clinical study was to test the effectiveness of a daily yoga practice on the nervous system of people with Type 2 Diabetes. The study lasted for 40 days and used two groups’ patients. One group was given medications and a series of yoga asanas to practice each day for 30-40 minutes. The control group was given medication and used walking as their form of daily exercise.
At the end of the 40 days, each group had their nerve functions measured. The group prescribed medication and walking had a continued deterioration in their nerve function; whereas, the group using the asanas experienced improved nerve function.
Yoga exercises used during the study included surya namaskar, tadasana, konasana, padmasana pranayama, paschimottansana, ardhimatsyendrasana, shavasana, pavanmukthasana, sarpasana, and shavasana. Patients were also taught deep breathing exercises to practice during and separate from the exercises.
Yoga Asanas for Type II Diabetes
• Easy pose
• Shoulder stretches
• Sun Salutation or Surya Namaskar is considered the best exercise for people with Diabetes. It is a series of poses linked together with slow steady rhythmic movements. It can improve the circulation to all areas of the body.
• Half spinal twist is good for relaxing the nerves.
• Spread Leg Forward Fold or Paschimottansana stimulates the internal organs such as the pancreas, kidney and liver.
• Tree pose
• Locust Pose or Shalabhasana can regulate excess glucose levels in the blood.
• Fish pose
• Corpse Pose is the ending asana that lets the body rest and absorb the benefit from the previous exercises.
Posted 1 month ago #
Reply
You must log in to post.