Three Easy Yoga Moves that Ease the Impact of Diabetes

For centuries, people have been turning to yoga as a reliable exercise for preventing disease, improving flexibility, increasing circulation, enhancing the mind-body connection, and developing an improved quality of life. For many, yoga is a daily practice that has the long-term effect of decreasing body fat, lowering blood sugar levels, and realigning the spine.

Diabetics, especially, may benefit from the practice of yoga, according to imTypeFree as yoga stimulates many bodily functions that are impaired for many Diabetics. Accordingly, regularly practicing yoga may reduce stress, decrease body fat, stimulate organ functions and decrease blood sugar levels, which tend to be elevated in Diabetics. The positive impact of regular yoga practice and thus be far-reaching and beneficial in a broad spectrum of areas.

Practicing yoga does not have to require a great deal of experience or input. In fact, there are some very simple moves that just about anyone can practice at any time in order to see benefits. Three easy yoga poses you can begin with today include: cobra, downward dog, and child's pose. Here's an overview of how these poses should be done:

Downward Facing Dog

Downward Facing Dog is a very basic yoga pose that strengthens and lengthens the spine while also stimulating blood flow to the brain. This pose also strengthens the arms and opens the back, neck, chest, and hips according to ABC-of-Yoga.com.

In order to perform this pose, start by standing straight with your feet shoulder-width apart. Bend forward at your hips, keeping your spine straight. Gently slide your hands down your legs, supporting your back as your torso lowers to the ground. Go as far as you can bend while keeping your back flat. Once you reach your maximum bending point, drop your head and let your head hang without any muscle support. Breathe deeply. Hold this pose as long as you'd like, then return slowly to standing position.

Cobra

Cobra is a yoga pose that stretches you chest organs and increases the flexibility of your spine, according to Yoga Journal. To perform this pose properly, lie on the floor with your belly facing down and your arms at your side. Place your hands palm-down at your waist. Breathing out, push your body upward from your waist. Press your thighs into the floor and lengthen your head towards the ceiling, relying on your arms for support at little as possible. Hold this pose as high as you can push your body.

Child's Pose

Child's Pose is an excellent follow-up to Cobra, as it bends the spine in the opposite direction. Coming out of Cobra, move your backside back over your heels and touch your forehead to the floor. Stretch your arms in front of your head, palms touching the floor. Try to touch your spine to your heals while pushing your arms and backside in opposite directions. This pose opens your chest and shoulders while stretching and relaxing your spine.

Resources:

http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/471

http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/info/downward-facing-dog.asp