Yoga moves our blood sugar: Chances for people with (pre-)diabetes
Why is Yoga an Opportunity for Modern Diabetes Management?
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared diabetes a pandemic in 2012. Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease that leads to persistent elevation of blood glucose levels and associated health complications. Type 2 diabetes (TD2) results from a combination of adverse factors and lifestyle habits. In Germany, approximately 11% of the adult population has the disease, while 20% have pre-diabetes, and the trend is increasing. The physical and emotional burden on the individual is considerable. As are the consequences for society in terms of exploding healthcare costs.
The American Diabetes Association has long recommended yoga as a complementary measure. In Germany, interest is growing, but we are still lagging behind.
The aim of this workshop is to understand the benefits of yoga for people with (pre-)diabetes and to illustrate them with short practices. Specifically, we will look at the glucose-lowering effects of exercise and the potential of yoga to support beneficial behaviors and discourage unfavorable ones. For example, through breath awareness and relaxation, we can create spaces that allow people with diabetes to make conscious choices about food and exercise, rather than following unconscious impulses. Common symptoms (e.g. shoulder pain, shortness of breath) are also presented and practiced together in the practices.