Effect of asanas on blood sugar level
Yogic exercises cause the muscles to absorb the excess glucose in the blood, thereby reducing the blood sugar level. They help the pancreas and liver to function effectively, which regulates the blood sugar levels. Asanas help in rejuvenating the pancreatic cells, thereby assisting insulin secretion. The muscular movements also help in bringing down the blood sugar levels. Asanas induce relaxation, which also plays a key role in the healthy functioning of the internal organs of the body.
Yogic exercises are perhaps the only exercises that bring us close to the inner being or the soul, which is essentially spiritual in nature. Practitioners of yoga, pranayama and meditation, usually find a shift in their attitude towards life. They radiate good health and positive energy.
A profound understanding of yoga enables introspection. When attention is turned inwards, it effects a radical change in our beings, manifest as inward balance and poise.As peace fills our being, the body begins to function in harmony, which is a sign of good health.
The results of yogasanas are best when they are executed without exertion, in a non-striving manner. Ideally, the movements should be fluid and harmonious. The ease, with which yoga must be practiced, is perhaps best expressed by Deepak Chopra, a renowned leader in the field of mind-body , who has said,
- Grass doesn't try to grow, it just grows.
- Fishes don't try to swim, they just swim.
- Flowers don't try to bloom, they simply bloom.
- Birds don't try to fly, they simply fly.
The natural poses assumed in yoga practice bring peace to the mind of the practitioner. Asanas can be practiced with any classical music played at the background. They make the practice enjoyable. It is important to be conscious of the movements and understand the limits of ones own flexibility. Straining beyond ones own means is certainly not recommended.
