Yoga pose does have several benefits that one need not doubt. The benefits of yoga are now starting to overcome specific diseases. One of them is to stabilize blood sugar levels for people with diabetes.
Some of the yoga movements used for therapy require guidance from an instructor. However, you or your family can practice it at home with these five simple movements.
1. Mountain Yoga Pose (Tadasana)
Start by standing on the mat and placing both hands on the right and left sides of the body. Align your legs and give a little distance, then slowly raise your hands while breathing slowly. After that, lower your hands while exhaling slowly. Do this movement repeatedly for better results.
2. Downward Facing Dog Yoga Pose (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
Finish with the first movement, and continue with the crawling motion. Slowly raise your hips and use the toes and palms of your hands as support. Keep your eyes on your knees to help your back, arms, and legs straighten. Keep breathing slowly and hold this movement for 1 minute.
3. Child Yoga Pose (Balasana)
To start this pose, begin with a sitting position on both feet and leave some distance between your knees. Then, bend down until you touch your thighs with your hands straight and against the mat. Relax your body with your forehead touching the rug’s surface, making sure to keep your breath calm and not rushed. Do this movement for 1 minute.
4. Bridge Yoga Pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana)
Start by sleeping on your back with your arms slightly apart at your sides. Bend your knees and bring your feet in line with your shoulders, slowly lifting your hips while straightening your tailbone. With your shoulders and feet supporting, cross your arms tightly under your body. Do not forget to stay relaxed and maintain this movement for 1 minute.
5. Tree Yoga Pose (Vrksasana)
Stand on a mat with your legs straight and parallel to cool off. Then, lift your left leg, place the sole on the inner groin, and support your right foot. Bring your palms together and put them in front of your chest. Make sure to keep your breath as calm as possible and hold for 1 minute. Next, change positions with the left leg as a support and the right leg bent at the left groin.
The key to the yoga movement is to regulate the breath to remain calm and keep the mind focused. Therefore, yoga practice focuses on the parts of the body working. And even though you routinely do yoga to keep your sugar levels in check, you also have to keep your diet, so that blood sugar levels don’t rise and become dangerous.
Other Benefits of Yoga
Improve body condition and posture
Yoga is related to flexibility and relaxation. Actually, not only for women, yoga movements that are always combined with breathing exercises can provide benefits to form good posture.
You can improve your strength, flexibility, coordination, and range of motion by doing yoga. Yoga can also promote relaxation and circulation in the body.
Yoga practice can relieve muscle tension, relieve back pain, improve posture, and improve balance and endurance.
Improve mood and mental health
Not only because of the happiness hormones that appear during exercise, but yoga exercise that combines elements of meditation can also help maintain your mental health.
It’s been shown to improve concentration, reduce stress, and improve mood.
The International Journal of Preventive Medicine states that yoga is influential in reducing stress, anxiety, and depression, so it can be used as complementary or traditional therapy.
Improve sleep quality
Combining physical exercise and relaxation gained from practising yoga can help you sleep better at night. It can also help relieve insomnia.
Certain types of yoga, such as vinyasa or hot yoga, can help you get a better night’s sleep if practised a few hours before bedtime.