Health Administrator Vol: XXII Number 1& 2 - 2009 : 42-45 Pg. 7 - THE EFFECTS OF EXERCISE AND YOGA ON DIABETES CLINICAL RESEARCH ON THE BENEFITS OF YOGA PRACTICE ON DIABETES Many studies have reported the beneficial The mechanism of yogic practices and effect of the practice of yoga on diabetes. other exercises is very different. (21) (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19). Some Yogic practices are supposed to change one's studies have mentioned up to 65 percent attitude towards the situations of life, by beneficial effect of yogic therapy for diabetes. developing mental relaxation and balance. (11,13,15, 19) K.N. Udupa has even mentioned One study focused on the practice of the 5 cases of juvenile diabetes who were completely postures in a slow, smooth and non-exerting controlled by yogic treatment. (17) All of these manner. (22) The postures were maintained studies have emphasized the possible comfortably and easily for a length of time and the mechanism of the yogic practices as: patients were taught to focus on breathing or on 1. Direct influence on pancreatic secretion by some infinitely vast object like the sky or the ocean rejuvenation of the pancreatic cells, through while doing the yoga posture. Two thirds of the alternate abdominal contractions and patients were significantly benefited by this relaxation, during asanas (yogic postures treatment. The others also showed improvement. which produce relaxation) and breathing A number of institutions in India offer treatment exercises. programs for diabetes. (23,24,25,26) Participants 2. Reduction in blood sugar due to muscular generally stay for between two to five weeks, and exercise involved in the asanas. follow a program of instruction and practice of yoga asanas for at least an hour in the morning and the S.A.A. Ramaiah's study conducted in evening, dietary control, meditation and breathing Washington, D.C. compared the effects of walking, exercises. They generally become subjects in on| treadmill, static cycling, Amarantha Kokkuasana going research projects. (Sitting crane), Nindra Kokkuasana (Standing crane) and Vil asana (Bow pose, rocking, especially side RECOMMENDATIONS to side). The most effective were found to be the REGARDING THE PRACTICE OF YOGA BY DIABETICS latter. It was concluded that the direct stimulation of the pancreas by the postures rejuvenated its The patient must learn to control and his or capacity to produce insulin. her self of diabetes in a wholistic manner, at all levels of your being: physical, emotional, Several studies have focused upon why the mental, intellectual and spiritual, recognizing practice of yoga has been more successful than the effects of stress, emotional imbalance, other forms of exercise. M.V. Bhole (20) and K.N. and dietary and living habits on the disease Udupa (18) have measured the effects of yoga on condition. mental stresses. Muhammad (13) has shown the differences between physical exercises and yoga. Before beginning a program, measure ones He has reported how doing the yogic practices exercise toleration. Start with simple without exertion has more benefits. 8. movements and positions before progressing Paschimottanasana (Sitting crane, Amarntha gradually to complicated postures. kokkuasana), Padangusthansana (Standing crane, Nindra kokkuasana), Bhujangasana Throughout the program, monitor glucose (Serpent pose, Paambuasana), levels and under the supervision of a Sarvangasana (Shoulder stand), Ardha- physician, and take appropriate medicinal matsyendrasana (Spinal twist), Halasana dosages as and when required. After several (Plough pose, Kalapoy asana), Yoga weeks one may be able to reduce such mudrasana (Yogic Symbol pose), Supta dosages. Vajrasana (Sitting pose of Firmness), ■ Practice in the morning and the evening Chakrasana (Wheel pose), Shalabhasana for 40 to 60 minutes the recommended (Grasshopper pose, Vittelasana). (19,22) series of postures according to ones 9. The practice of Udiyana bandam, or the capacity. Practice before meals, but after abdominal squeeze has also been found to be consuming glucid liquids. useful. (22) Avoid exertion, that is heavy muscular activity. 10 Regulate the diet throughout the program. Perform the movements slowly and Avoid simple sugars such as white sugar, smoothly, stretching the limbs and joints, and honey, glucose and sweets, and eat complex gently compressing the abdomen, without carbohydrates such as wheat, oatmeal, straining. Maintain the postures for a buckwheat, corn, brown rice and beans. comfortable length of time. The maintenance Avoid processed food and eat foods with lots of period of postures should be increased fibre and nutrients. gradually from 5 seconds to one minute, or even longer depending upon the posture and . Obese patients can start with different capacity of the patient. asanas, cleansing processes, bhastrika pranayama and relaxation. Lean and thin Focus on the breath during the patients should start with relaxation and maintenance period of the posture, with pranayama, and practice in a relaxed the eyes closed or focused on one point, manner.(20) as a means of learning to focus the mind and to manage stress and tension in the 12. Meditation practices have been shown to help body. the endocrine glands through relaxation of the sympathetic nervous system. (27) Perform the Shavasana, or complete peace relax pose on the back, systematically CONCLUSION: relaxing all of the parts of the body, at the end Western medical research has focused upon of the session, or after completing several diabetes as only a physical disorder, requiring only postures, if one begins to feel fatigued. physical modalities of intervention. It has been able The following postures have been found to to confirm that regular physical exercise does have be effective in the control and cure of some beneficial effects in diabetics of both types, diabetes (Sanskrit names; the English and and that in those who are genetically predisposed tamil names are in parentheses): to type 2, it could prevent its development. Western Dhanurasana (Bow pose, Vilasana), 43 studies have recommended exercise of moderate 6. Zinman, B. Vranic, M. "Diabetes and intensity, as a means to adopt a regular diet and exercise", Medical Clinics of North America, insulin dosage, or to control body weight and Jan. 1985,69, 1: 145-157. improve circulation. 7. Richter, E.A., Schneider, S.H., "Diabetes and ■ Research in India has recognized it as a exercise", American Journal of Medicine", psychosomatic disorder with causative factors 1981, 70:201-209 being sedentary habits, physical, emotional and 8. Nadeau, Andre "L'activite physicque chez le mental stress. Many studies there have confirmed diabetique", Federation des medecins that the practice of the postures can rejuvenate the omnipraticens du Quebec, Congres insulin producing cells in the pancreas of diabetics "L'omnipraticien et le sport", Quebec, 15 et of both types, and that doing the postures in a 16 mai 1986, 12p. relaxed manner, without exertion, yogic meditation and breathing help most patients to control the 9. American College of Sports Medicine, causes of diabetes. 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