Diabetes and yoga:
Introduction :
Diabetes mellitus represents a cluster of metabolic diseases characterized by high levels of blood glucose (hyperglycemia). This may be as a result of defects in insulin secretion, insulin action or both.Insulin is a hormone secreted by beta cells of islets of langerhans, situated in pancreas.
The glucagons produced by alfa cells have anti-insulin action. Both in unison keep a constant glucose level in the blood. Insulin also acts as gate keeper, where, only in its presence can the blood glucose enter the body cells and provide fuel and energy to work.In diabetes, the cellular fuel is thus compromised, while excess of glucose remains in the circulation.
Yoga Related Observations:
Regular practice of yoga does reduce blood sugar levels, the blood pressure, weight, the rate of progression to the complications, and the severity of the complications as well.The symptoms are also reduced to a great extent, so are number of diabetes related hospital admissions.
The quality of life questionnaires do reveal a remarkable improvement in the scores. These finding are uniform for all those who are trying to find effect of yoga on diabetes.
How Yoga works? (Possible mechanisms)
1. Glucagons secretion is enhanced by stress. Yoga effectively reduces stress, thus reducing glucagons and possibly improving insulin action.
2. Weight loss induced by yoga is a well accepted mechanism.
3. Muscular relaxation, development and improved blood supply to muscles might enhance insulin receptor expression on muscles causing increased glucose uptake by muscles and thus reducing blood sugar.
4. Blood pressure plays a great role in development of diabetic and related complications, which is proven to be benefited by yoga. The same holds true for increased cholesterol levels.
5. Yoga reduces adrenaline, noradrenalin and cortisol in blood, which are termed as ‘stress hormones’. This is a likely mechanism of improvement in insulin action.
6. Many yogic postures do produce stretch on the pancreas, which is likely to stimulate the pancreatic function.
In India, we are having many patients controlled only on so called ‘lifestyle modification’ i.e. yoga essentially.We are also trying to recruit many ‘impaired glucose tolerance’ patients (Pre-diabetic patients, as suggested by clinical and laboratory evaluations) in our ‘Prevention of Diabetes - Yoga Way Programme’ (PDYW).We accept that our work is going very slowly due to lack of funds, but we are certain that we will stun the world soon with our results.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Use the Power of Yoga To Make Your Weight Loss Breakthrough:
If you have ever tried to lose weight, then you probably already know what doctors and weight loss experts know: most weight loss diets only bring temporary results.
If you take some diet pills and you may lose weight because your appetite is temporarily suppressed. When you stop taking the pills your appetite will return and you will be faced with the same problem. The pills are a short term solution, and in some cases may even be harmful to you.
If you adopt an extreme weight loss diet you may get dramatic results while you stay on the diet, but if you live a normal life, surrounded by your family and friends, you probably will not be able to stay on that diet for a long time. As soon as you quit the diet and return to your old ways, you will gain weight again.
In addition, as with pills, many weight loss diets, are not healthy and can even be harmfulFor long term weight loss you need to go to the root of the problem and make changes in your life and lifestyle. Excess weight in our society is mostly due to a sedentary lifestyle and poor selection of food.
It may also be due to psychological stress and in some cases metabolic problems (that is, your body is not efficient in turning food into energy).
How can yoga help me to lose weight?
If you go to a lecture on nutrition and they will tell you that eating too many fatty foods will lead to obesity. After you attend the lecture you "know" that it is not healthy to eat a lot of junk food. But, when you get out on the street and go past a fast food burger restaurant you will get hungry.
Intellectually you "know" that it is not good to eat junk food, but can you control yourself? Sadly the answer is usually no.Our body is like a chariot pulled by horses. The horses are our desires and the various organs that they use to fulfill themselves such as hands, feet, mouth etc. Sometimes these desires are running like horses out of control. Our mind "knows" so many things and wants to chart a sensible path, but our mind is not strong enough to reign in the wild horses.
Yoga helps you to put your mind in control; it helps you to have the strength to do the right thing at the right time.The Yoga Weight Loss Secrets course will show you how to do physical exercises and meditation exercises that will gradually change you from the inside out. It is good if you can stop or check a desire to do the wrong thing. It is even better if this desire never arises in your mind. The effects of yoga is to make deep rooted changes in your inner being. As you feel more relaxed and calm, nervous eating will vanish.
If you learn how to apply yoga to your life you will get a long term solution to the problem of achieving self control and self fulfillment. Without any special equipment you will be able to do exercises that keep you in shape, you will learn how to do meditation that will put your mind at peace, you will become internally balanced, and you will make the choices that are right for you.
If you have ever tried to lose weight, then you probably already know what doctors and weight loss experts know: most weight loss diets only bring temporary results.
If you take some diet pills and you may lose weight because your appetite is temporarily suppressed. When you stop taking the pills your appetite will return and you will be faced with the same problem. The pills are a short term solution, and in some cases may even be harmful to you.
If you adopt an extreme weight loss diet you may get dramatic results while you stay on the diet, but if you live a normal life, surrounded by your family and friends, you probably will not be able to stay on that diet for a long time. As soon as you quit the diet and return to your old ways, you will gain weight again.
In addition, as with pills, many weight loss diets, are not healthy and can even be harmfulFor long term weight loss you need to go to the root of the problem and make changes in your life and lifestyle. Excess weight in our society is mostly due to a sedentary lifestyle and poor selection of food.
It may also be due to psychological stress and in some cases metabolic problems (that is, your body is not efficient in turning food into energy).
How can yoga help me to lose weight?
If you go to a lecture on nutrition and they will tell you that eating too many fatty foods will lead to obesity. After you attend the lecture you "know" that it is not healthy to eat a lot of junk food. But, when you get out on the street and go past a fast food burger restaurant you will get hungry.
Intellectually you "know" that it is not good to eat junk food, but can you control yourself? Sadly the answer is usually no.Our body is like a chariot pulled by horses. The horses are our desires and the various organs that they use to fulfill themselves such as hands, feet, mouth etc. Sometimes these desires are running like horses out of control. Our mind "knows" so many things and wants to chart a sensible path, but our mind is not strong enough to reign in the wild horses.
Yoga helps you to put your mind in control; it helps you to have the strength to do the right thing at the right time.The Yoga Weight Loss Secrets course will show you how to do physical exercises and meditation exercises that will gradually change you from the inside out. It is good if you can stop or check a desire to do the wrong thing. It is even better if this desire never arises in your mind. The effects of yoga is to make deep rooted changes in your inner being. As you feel more relaxed and calm, nervous eating will vanish.
If you learn how to apply yoga to your life you will get a long term solution to the problem of achieving self control and self fulfillment. Without any special equipment you will be able to do exercises that keep you in shape, you will learn how to do meditation that will put your mind at peace, you will become internally balanced, and you will make the choices that are right for you.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
MEANING:
Yoga refers to traditional physical and mental disciplines originating in India.[1] The word is associated with meditative practices in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.In Hinduism, it also refers to one of the six orthodox (āstika) schools of Hindu philosophy, and to the goal toward which that school directs its practices
In Jainism it refers to the sum total of all activities—mental, verbal and physical.
Major branches of yoga in Hindu philosophy include Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Hatha Yoga.Raja Yoga, compiled in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and known simply as yoga in the context of Hindu philosophy, is part of the Samkhya tradition. Many other Hindu texts discuss aspects of yoga, including Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, the Shiva Samhita and various Tantras.
Major branches of yoga in Hindu philosophy include Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Hatha Yoga.Raja Yoga, compiled in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and known simply as yoga in the context of Hindu philosophy, is part of the Samkhya tradition. Many other Hindu texts discuss aspects of yoga, including Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, the Shiva Samhita and various Tantras.
The Sanskrit word yoga has many meanings, and is derived from the Sanskrit root yuj, meaning "to control", "to yoke" or "to unite". Translations include "joining", "uniting", "union", "conjunction", and "means". Outside India, the term yoga is typically associated with Hatha Yoga and its asanas (postures) or as a form of exercise. Someone who practices yoga or follows the yoga philosophy is called a Yogi.
Goal of yoga:
The goal of yoga may range from improving health to achieving Moksha. Within Jainism and the monist schools of Advaita Vedanta and Shaivism the goal of yoga takes the form of Moksha, which is liberation from all worldly suffering and the cycle of birth and death (Samsara), at which point there is a realisation of identity with the Supreme Brahman. In the Mahabharata, the goal of yoga is variously described as entering the world of Brahma, as Brahman, or as perceiving the Brahman or Atman that pervades all things. For the bhakti schools of Vaishnavism, bhakti or service to Svayam bhagavan itself may be the ultimate goal of the yoga process, where the goal is to enjoy an eternal relationship with Vishnu. Yoga also helps your body maintain a stable relationship with itself while going into a calm, neutral state of peace.
TYPES OF YOGA:
Yoga is considered the essence of a healthy life. A person practising Yoga on a regular basis not only ensures a healthy lifestyle, but also attains the much desired peace of mind. It is the greatest stress-buster and a remedy for curing a number of chronic ailments. Yoga is broadly divided into eight types. Most of them involve the use of different poses (Asanas), meditation and breathing exercises (Pranayams). In this section, we have discussed the eight prominent types of yoga, their technique and their benefits on the health of the practitioner.
Bhakti Yoga emphasizes on the love and devotion to the Almighty. The individual performing this type of Yoga concentrates on the existence of Almighty. He/she learns to show love, compassion to the creatures co-existing with him/her, apart from keenly worshipping the Lord. Bhakti Yoga can be practiced in a number of ways, such as praising the God by singing, chanting slogans, reading religious books, listening to prayers and by watching religious movies.
Hatha Yoga was founded by Yogi Swatmarama in the 15th century in India. This type of Yoga is all about the combination of two extremes - 'ha' (the Sun, regarded as the positive current) and 'tha' (the Moon, regarded as the negative current). It involves the performance of physical postures (Asanas), breathing exercises (Pranayams), meditation, mudras and purification procedures known as 'Shatkriyas'.
The Yoga of true knowledge, Jnana Yoga aims to detach the person performing it, from all the temporary things of the life. The person doing it attains tranquility, control over his/her mind, sense, faith, ability for concentration and the endurance to withstand the play of opposites by Mother Nature. By practising Jnana Yoga, the individual stays single-minded in all situations and attains self-control.
As the name suggests, Karma Yoga is the dedication of all the actions (karma) and their fruits to the Almighty. This type of Yoga purifies one's heart, and helps attain the knowledge of one's own self. The aim of a Karma Yogic (one, who performs Karma Yoga) is to provide selfless service to the poor and the needy, without expecting money, fame, power, respect and honor in return of the service.
Kundalini Yoga aims at drawing the untapped energy (Kundalini), coiled at the base of the spine, by using a set of technique that uses the person's mind, senses and body. Apart from the physical postures (Asanas), the person performs meditation, chants mantras in order to awaken each of the seven chakras of the body. The Asanas are coordinated with the hold of breath control.
Mantra Yoga, as the name suggests, makes use of mantras to attain a peace of mind and increase the concentration power. The mantras are chanted by the person in a thoughtful way, in order to attain certain goals. Mantra Yoga helps eliminate a number of disorders, including psychosomatic ailments and the problems of anxiety, stress and tension. It boosts the person's self-confidence as well.
Known as integral Yoga, Purna Yoga offers wisdom and techniques for the unison of the body, mind and soul. It emphasizes the Karma of your everyday life. It involves meditation, pranayams and the performance of alignment-based Asanas. Purna Yoga is an improvisation of the traditional systems of Yoga.
Raj Yoga is the best way for the complete and holistic healing of one's mind and soul. This type of Yoga helps a person to alleviates himself/herself from the emotional and mental conflicts. Also called Astanga or eight-limbed Yoga, Raj Yoga helps the person to be in harmony with the co-existing creatures and the environment.
BENEFITS OF YOGA:
At the physical level, yoga and its cleansing practices have proven to be extremely effective for various disorders. To get a sampling of how yoga benefits health disorders, please visit the Yoga Therapy section. More importantly, yoga is extremely effective in:
Increasing Flexibility – yoga has positions that act upon the various joints of the body including those joints that are never really on the ‘radar screen’ let alone exercised.
Increasing lubrication of the joints, ligaments and tendons – likewise, the well-researched yoga positions exercise the different tendons and ligaments of the body.
Surprisingly it has been found that the body which may have been quite rigid starts experiencing a remarkable flexibility in even those parts which have not been consciously work upon. Why? It is here that the remarkable research behind yoga positions proves its mettle. Seemingly unrelated “non strenuous” yoga positions act upon certain parts of the body in an interrelated manner. When done together, they work in harmony to create a situation where flexibility is attained relatively easily.
Massaging of ALL Organs of the Body – Yoga is perhaps the only form of activity which massages all the internal glands and organs of the body in a thorough manner, including those – such as the prostate - that hardly get externally stimulated during our entire lifetime. Yoga acts in a wholesome manner on the various body parts. This stimulation and massage of the organs in turn benefits us by keeping away disease and providing a forewarning at the first possible instance of a likely onset of disease or disorder.
Complete Detoxification – By gently stretching muscles and joints as well as massaging the various organs, yoga ensures the optimum blood supply to various parts of the body. This helps in the flushing out of toxins from every nook and cranny as well as providing nourishment up to the last point. This leads to benefits such as delayed ageing, energy and a remarkable zest for life.
Excellent toning of the muscles – Muscles that have become flaccid, weak or slothy are stimulated repeatedly to shed excess flab and flaccidity.
Disadvantages of Yoga:
The practice of Yoga is far more complex than it appears and it cannot be indulged in at the highest level at once. This requires a stretch beyond limits to the body and mind therefore it should be started ideally with a trainer and one should gradually work their body towards the difficult Asanas from the basic ones. There are many people who ignore their physical and emotional capacity and end up doing serious damage to themselves.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)