Diabetes and Exercise
Sanskrit Name: Vakrasana
English Name: Half Spinal Twist Posture or Twist Posture
Other Names: Twisting Posture, Twist Pose, Vakra Asana, Vakr Asan
The Vakrasana yoga posture helps to tone the nerves around the spinal cord, strengthen our abdomen and stimulate the internal organs. This yoga asana helps reduce belly fat and lose weight – a major factor in helping diabetics control their blood sugar and lead an active life.
Vakrsana is a simplified version of Ardhamatsyendrasana. Vakrasana is usually recommended for people who are unable to practice Ardhamatsyendrasana.
The Vakrasana posture technique is given below.
Repeat the same for the other side.
Practise vakrasana twice a day.
Bhujangasana or the Cobra pose is another yoga asana that was part of the protocol proven in research to help diabetics. Along with Parivrtta Trikonasana (Revolved Triangle Pose) and Fish Pose Yoga – Matsyasana, these four poses work synergistically to support better sugar control.
A balanced and holistic diet, along with a disciplined exercise regimen can offer great results to diabetics in their battle against blood sugar level imbalances and also helps to decrease their dependence on medication and the resultant side effects.
Caution: Our yoga expert has adapted these poses to suit diabetics. Sometimes, diabetics have restricted range of movement, due to obesity or overall stiffness. The poses demonstrated have been adapted to make room for these restrictions. So go ahead and start gently. If you have never done yoga before or have some other complication due to which your doctor has restricted your movement, do check with him/her before you begin.
Can Yoga Cure Diabetes: http://medind.nic.in/haa/t09/i1/haat09i1p40.pdf
Evidence for effect of yoga: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4192976/
The benefits of yoga for adults with type 2 diabetes: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24165527