This is how yoga helps you with diabetes
© Nele MartensenChroniquesDuVasteMonde WOMAN: Ms Rodrigues, why are you dealing with diabetes? Are you diabetic yourself?
Dinah Rodrigues (laughs): No, I'm 86 years old, healthy and still fit enough to give seminars in other countries.
Where does the interest in this topic then come from?
The number of diabetics in the world is increasing, and I want to help those affected. Five years ago I started dealing with this topic. My work is based on the physiology of the body. In diabetes, as in menopause, glands need to be reactivated to boost the production of hormones. So the new program is a special form of hormonal yoga. A completely natural therapy.
Her many years of experience have been incorporated here.
At first I thought about which glands are involved in the development of diabetes. This resulted in special yoga exercises that specifically target these glands. From my program for menopausal symptoms, I knew that these exercises work better if they are not performed statically, as is usual in hatha yoga, but dynamic, with movement. I experimented with that. In addition, I also use a strong breathing, the Bhastrika breathing. It intensifies the effect of the exercises and acts in different positions intensively on all glands and organs that must be stimulated in diabetics: the pancreas, the thyroid gland, the adrenals, the pituitary gland and the liver.
What's in it? Are there already studies available?
Not yet. For me it is very difficult to do such an investigation. I would like to have the support of a university. However, participants of my workshops report that their blood sugar level drops as a result of practicing. You can observe that if you measure yourself regularly.
Does it take a long time to get started?
I was amazed at how quickly my first successes came about. I did not expect that at first. But what has turned out: The results depend on how often you practice. It would be good to do the exercises daily. Four or five times a week are fine too. Twice a week is too little.
And if you stop practicing, does the blood sugar level rise again?
Yes, you have to practice so that the glands are stimulated. I have developed two series of exercises, one for beginners, one for advanced. If you master the program, it does not take more than 30 minutes. Half an hour for the health.
Do people who do their exercises need fewer medicines for diabetes?
The doctor must decide that. He makes the diagnosis and sets the therapy: medication, diet and exercise. My hormonal yoga makes patients healthier and improves their quality of life. It is a good supplement to medical treatment. Especially because it has a double effect: The metabolism is boosted, comes back into balance, and at the same time stress is reduced.
Why is that so important?
Because stress, especially in women, has a negative impact on hormone production. The level of sex hormones is falling, blood sugar levels are rising. Reducing stress is therefore important. Through psychological intervention and targeted exercises. It is not enough to sit down and concentrate on the flame of a candle.
Is the Diabetes Prevention Program suitable for anyone over 40?
Especially those who have a family history and those who already have a slightly elevated blood sugar level can prevent the exercises. But we should not practice too much and not constantly think about what diseases we could get later. We should just do something for ourselves to stay healthy and comfortable. Otherwise, yoga will also be stressful.
Effective yoga exercises for diabetics
Lateral knee-head posture (Parsva Janushirshasana)
1. Sit straight with your legs straight.
2. Angle the left leg, the sole of the foot touching the right thigh. Raise your arms over your head
3. Turn the upper body to the left so that you are looking to the left leg. Bend straight across the right leg with a straight upper body.
The fingers of the right hand grasp the toes of the right foot, the thumb reaches for the big toe. Place the left hand in the lower back. The ribcage should be wide.
4. In this position, you breathe breath seven times, a noisy bellows breathing. In doing so, move the navel outwards when inhaling, and expel the air powerfully through the nose when exhaling.
Then circulate the energy in the abdominal area towards the liver (top right): inhale, hold your breath, lay tongue on the palate, count to three and concentrate on the liver.
In the end, breathe in, raise your arms, put your hands together and return to the starting position.
Ankle the right leg and repeat the exercise to this side. In doing so, circulate the energy towards the pancreas (in the middle of the stomach).
Dynamic "Seal of Yoga" (Yoga Mudrasana)
1. Sit on your knees so that your legs are straddled and the buttocks are between your heels. Stretch your arms back and fold your hands behind your back. Turn the upper body to the left, ...
2. ... breathe in, exhale and bend over the left knee as far down as possible.
3. Make Bhastrika breathing seven times and let the energy circulate towards the pancreas. Then inhale, stand up carefully, exhale and turn the upper body to the middle.
Bend straight forward with the exhale. If you can do it, you can put your forehead on the floor.
4. In this position, also do breathe with Bhastrika seven times and let the energy circulate again towards the pancreas. Then inhale, stand up carefully, exhale and turn the upper body to the right.
Bend over the right knee with the exhale and do another seven breathers. This time, let the energy circulate in the direction of the liver.
Finally, inhale and sit up carefully. Alternatively, you can do the exercise cross-legged.
Sri Ram
Sit comfortably and relaxed, but with your back straight, if possible with your legs straight, feet in front of each other.
Put your thumbs in your hands and close your fingers with your fist. Then place the fists in front of the upper abdomen in the area of the solar plexus (solar plexus). The forearms should be kept parallel to the ground.
Close your eyes, concentrate on the tip of your nose and breathe deeply and deeply in and out. Now sing the Mantra Ram. Let the tongue vibrate on the palate.
As you exhale, pull your navel toward your spine every time. Do this exercise for a few minutes.
Finally, let the energy circulate back to the pancreas.
Lie on your back with your legs straight, your arms long beside your body, your shoulders loose.
Lift the rib cage, resting on your forearms and stretching your feet. Breathe in and out, open your chest, lay your head back in the neck and do not move it.
Now do three deep Ujjayi breaths: To do so, breathe in and out with your lips closed; The throat is slightly narrowed, so that a gently rushing sound is created.
After this breathing exercise, let the energy circulate towards the thyroid gland. Then carefully return to the starting position and relax the head.
Dynamic Inversion (Viparita)
1. Lie on your back. When inhaling, bring your legs straight into the air and lift the pelvis halfway (not into the shoulder stand). Support your hips with your hands, your thumbs in front of your hipbones. The feet point in the direction of the eyes. The neck is relaxed.
2. Make Bhastrika breathing seven times, turning your feet to the right as you inhale.
3. Then let the energy circulate in the direction of the thyroid gland and pituitary gland (the pituitary gland sits in the middle of the skull at the level of the nose). Then breathe Bhastrika seven times, turning your feet the other way. Finally, let the energy circulate towards the thyroid and pituitary glands
Now bend your right leg and place your right foot on the left knee. Bring the bent leg as close to your face as possible. Make Bhastrika breathing seven times and let the energy circulate in the direction of the liver.
4. Switch the page, bend the left leg and repeat the exercise. Let the energy circulate this time towards the pancreas. Finally, lay down the legs.
If reversal posture is unfamiliar to you, you should start carefully and slowly increase the duration. It is best to stay in this position for five minutes. You can also repeat it until this time is reached.
