If you’re looking at how to prevent diabetes then yoga deserves serious consideration. Through a combination of stretching and stimulating the internal organs, proper breathing, relaxation and diet, yoga has been used by many throughout the world as one of the best natural cures for diabetes.
For many men diabetes goes undiagnosed, sometimes only becoming apparent when a problem like erectile dysfunction shows up.
It is generally accepted that regular exercise helps prevent, delay or minimise the effects of diabetes. Doing yoga on a regular basis is an easy way to get these benefits as you don’t need to be athletic to begin practising it. Yoga can be done safely and easily and the benefits of consistent effort come very quickly.
How to prevent diabetes with yoga – why it works
Helps reduce weight. Carrying excess weight places unwelcome strain on your bodily systems. Yoga helps reduce weight without the need for dangerous dieting practices, appetite suppressants or surgery.
Promotes healthy blood glucose levels. Practising yoga exercises helps regulate blood sugar levels because excess glucose in the blood is absorbed by the muscles, and the liver and pancreas are stimulated ensuring healthy levels of production.
Stimulates insulin production. Insulin carries glucose in the blood. Since levels are increased the glucose is more freely distributed, giving more consistent levels of energy, and reducing the energy-crash that many diabetics experience.
Helps normalise blood pressure levels
Reduces stress levels. This results in less cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline in the blood.
YOGA FOR DIABETES – an easy routine
These particular postures have been shown to have specific benefits for those with diabetes. Practice with care, and if you don’t feel confident then find a qualified yoga teacher or work with an audio or video guide.
Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar) This flowing sequence of poses is particularly good as it quickly improves blood supply round the whole body allowing insulin to be welll distributed.
Shoulderstand (Sarvangasana)
Plough Pose (Halasana)
Fish Pose (Matsyasana)
Bow Pose (Dhanurasana)
Wind-Relieving Pose (Pavan Muktasana)
The Half Spinal-Twist (Ardha Matsyendrasana)
Thunderbolt Pose (Vajrasana)
Yoga Mudra Pose
Yoga breathing exercises have also been shown to be beneficial for those with diabetes. Particularly recommended are anuloma viloma pranayama and bhastrika pranayama.
Corpse pose (Savasana) This yoga for diabetes routine should ideally be done 3 or 4 times per week, and you should begin to experience noticable benefits within a few sessions. I would also strongly recommend that you use the easy meditation techniques as this will help reduce stress levels even further and enable deep healing in your body.
Further Resources
You may also want to investigate an ayurvedic preparation called Ayurgold from India-Herbs, a formula which helps normalise blood sugar levels.
A DVD that may interest you is SIMPLY RAW: Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days which follows 6 diabetics who reverse their condition through a raw food diet. I found it very inspiring and was quite moved at times by the courage and authenticity of the participants. If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed by the condition this dvd may help give you the confidence that it’s worth taking action and making some changes.
