Diabetes
Manage Blood Sugar and Improve Well-being with Yoga for Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how your body regulates blood sugar (glucose). There are two main types:
- Type 1 diabetes: The body doesn’t produce enough insulin, a hormone crucial for managing blood sugar.
- Type 2 diabetes: The body either doesn’t use insulin effectively (insulin resistance) or doesn’t produce enough.
Both types can lead to high blood sugar levels, which can damage nerves, blood vessels, and organs over time if left untreated.
While genetics play a role, lifestyle factors significantly influence your risk of developing type 2 diabetes:
- Unhealthy diet: Excess sugar, refined carbohydrates, and unhealthy fats can contribute to insulin resistance.
- Physical inactivity: Regular exercise improves insulin sensitivity and helps manage weight.
- Obesity and overweight: Carrying excess weight increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- Smoking: Smokers have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and experiencing complications.
- Stress: Chronic stress can elevate blood sugar levels and hinder diabetes management.
- Age: The risk of type 2 diabetes increases with age, especially after 45.
- Family history: Having a close family member with diabetes increases your risk.
- Ethnicity: Certain ethnicities have a higher genetic predisposition to type 2 diabetes.
- Frequent thirst and urination: The body tries to expel excess sugar through urine, leading to frequent urination and increased thirst to compensate for fluid loss.
- Excessive hunger: The body struggles to use glucose for energy, leading to increased hunger despite adequate calorie intake.
- Fatigue: Lack of proper glucose utilization by cells can result in fatigue and decreased energy levels.
- Blurred vision: High blood sugar can affect the lens in the eye, causing blurred or distorted vision.
- Slow-healing wounds: Impaired blood flow and nerve function can delay wound healing.
- Unexplained weight loss: The body may break down muscle tissue for energy if it can’t use glucose effectively, leading to unintentional weight loss.
- Utthita Trikonasana (Tringle Pose): Stimulates the abdominal organs, improving digestion and blood circulation, which can help manage blood sugar levels in individuals with diabetes. It also enhances balance and overall body awareness.
- Utthita Parsvakonasana (Extended Lateral Angle Pose): Stimulates the pancreas and abdominal organs, aiding in better digestion and glucose metabolism. It improves blood circulation and strengthens the body, supporting diabetes management.
- Parivritta Trikonasana (Revolved Tringle Pose): Stimulates the abdominal organs, including the pancreas, aiding in improved insulin regulation and digestion. It enhances blood circulation and promotes balance, supporting diabetes management.
- Parivritta Parshvakonasana (Revolved Side Angle Pose): Massages the abdominal organs, including the pancreas, enhancing digestion and insulin function. It boosts circulation and strengthens the body, aiding in effective diabetes management.
- Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend): Stretches the hamstrings and spine, promoting relaxation and stress reduction.
- Navasana (Boat Pose): Strengthens the core muscles and stimulates the pancreas, aiding in better insulin regulation and glucose metabolism. It improves digestion and supports overall diabetes management.
- Bhardvajasana (Seated Spinal Twist): Gently massages the abdominal organs, including the pancreas, enhancing digestion and promoting better insulin function. It aids in detoxification and supports diabetes management.
- Bhardvajasana 2 (Seated Spinal Twist): Stimulates the abdominal organs, including the pancreas, improving insulin secretion and glucose metabolism. It enhances digestion and helps manage diabetes effectively.
- Marichyasana 3 (Sage Twist Pose): Stimulates the digestive organs, including the pancreas, promoting better insulin regulation and glucose metabolism. The twist helps detoxify the body and supports improved digestion, benefiting diabetes management.
- Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Lord of the Fishes Pose): Stimulates the pancreas and digestive organs, improving insulin function and metabolism. This twisting pose enhances digestion, detoxifies the body, and supports effective diabetes management.
- Sirsasana (Headstand): Advanced pose; consult a qualified yoga instructor before attempting. Known to stimulate the endocrine system and nervous system, potentially impacting insulin secretion and stress response.
- Salamba Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand): Improves blood circulation, stimulates the thyroid and pancreas, and enhances metabolism, which can help regulate blood sugar levels. It also aids in detoxification and promotes overall health, supporting diabetes management.
- Savasana (Corpse Pose): Promotes deep relaxation, reduces stress, and helps lower cortisol levels, which can positively affect blood sugar regulation. By calming the nervous system, it supports overall well-being and helps manage diabetes.
- Bhramari Pranayama: Calms the mind and nervous system, aiding in stress management.
- Kapalbhati Pranayama: Energizes the body and may improve circulation, potentially assisting with blood sugar control.
Utthita Trikonasana
उत्थिता त्रिकोनासनI / Triangle Pose
The Sanskrit name comes from the Utthita, meaning “extended,” Trikona, meaning …
Utthita Parsvakonasana
उत्थिता पार्श्वकोनासन / Extended Lateral Angle Pose
The Sanskrit name is derived from Utthita (उत्थिता), meaning “extended,” Parsva …
Parivrtta Trikonasana
परिवर्त्त त्रिकोनासन / Revolved Triangle Pose
The name comes from the Sanskrit parivrtta meaning "revolve," trikona, meaning …
Parivritta parshvkonasana
परिवृत्त पार्श्वकोनासन / Revolved Side Angle Pose
The name derives from Sanskrit terms ‘parivrtta’ meaning revolving, ‘parsva’ …
Paschimottanasana
पश्चिमोत्तानासन / Seated Forward Bend
The Sanskrit name is derived from three Sanskrit words: Paschima (पश्चिमा) meaning …
Navasana
नवसाना / Boat Pose
The Sanskrit name is derived from Nava (नाव) meaning boat and asana (आसन) meaning …
Bhardvajasana
भारद्वाजासन / Seated Spinal Twist
Introduction to the Asana: The sanskrit name is derived from Bhardvaja (भरद्वाज) …
Bhardvajasana 2
भारद्वाजासन - II / Seated Spinal Twist
The Sanskrit name is derived from Bhardvaja (भरद्वाज) means bringing about nourishment …
Marichyasana 3
मरीच्यासन 3 / Sage Twist Pose
The Sanskrit name is derived from Marichya (मरीच्) meaning ray of light and …
Ardha Matsyendrasana
अर्ध मत्स्येन्द्रासन / Half Lord of the Fishes Pose
The name comes from the Sanskrit word “Ardha,” meaning half, “Matsyendra,” the …
Sirsasana
शीर्षासन / Headstand
The sanskrit name is derived from sirsa (शीर्ष) meaning head and asana (आसन) …
Salamba Sarvangasana
सलाम्बा सर्वंगासन / Shoulder stand
The sanskrit name is derived from Salamba (सलाम्बा) means " supported", Sarva …
Savasana
शवासना / Corpse pose
The sanskrit name is derived from Śava (शव) meaning "corpse" and āsana (आसन) …
Bhramari Pranayama
भ्रामरी प्राणायाम / Humming Bee Breath
The Sanskrit word derived from Bhramar, which means “humming black bee", Prana …
Kapalbhati Pranayama
कपालभाति प्राणायाम / Skull Shining Breath
"Kapalbhati" comes from "Kapala," meaning "skull," and "Bhati," meaning "shining" …