How Yoga can Support Diabetes...

 

Yoga has many benefits for individuals with diabetes, pre-diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.  The Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) found that in July 2017 there were more than 100 million U.S. adults with diabetes/pre-diabetes.1 The American Heart Association stated that 23% of American adults have metabolic syndrome which places them at greater risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and diabetes.2 Individuals with diabetes, pre-diabetes, and metabolic syndrome have received benefits from doing yoga weekly that include: Changes in Lifestyle – increased physical activity; Changes in the Body- decreased body weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels; Changes in the Mind-decreased stress and increased quality of life.3 

Individuals with these health issues need at least 2.5 hours a week of physical activity to aid the changes listed previously. Yoga helps to increase muscle mass which improves metabolism. A regular yoga practice that occurs at least twice a week helps to decrease blood pressure and cholesterol. Yoga helps to relax the mind and body as well as decrease stress which can lower the body’s release of cortisol which results in the body decreasing glucose release.3, 4 

The yoga classes at The Blue Yoga Studio focus on breath work (pranayama) and sequences/poses that can assist individuals achieve the changes in lifestyle, body, and mind needed to deal with these health issues in a positive manner. We have classes Monday through Thursday to help you maintain the weekly practice recommended to achieve the benefits listed previously. If you are unable to work on the mat/floor then a chair class can help you with your wellness plan. You can make this the time in your life to begin to bring yoga into your weekly wellness routine. 

-Kim Stabbe

References: 

1. New CDC report: More than 100 million Americans have diabetes or prediabetes, July 18, 2017 https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2017/p0718-diabetes-report.html 

2. American Heart Association, “What is Metabolic Syndrome?”, last reviewed July 31, 2016, http://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/metabolic-syndrome/about-metabolic-syndrome 

3. Annie Kay, MS, RDN, RYT & Lisa Nelson, MD, Yoga & Diabetes, American Diabetes Association, 2015 

4. Senthil Raj Thangasami, et. al., “ Emphasis of Yoga in the Management of Diabetes”, J of Diabetes & Metabolism, Oct. 9, 2015