Dr. Chamashi Damindra Ranaweera
Ayurvedic General Physician | Acupuncturist
Yoga is an ancient Indian practice that connects the body, mind, and soul through controlled breathing, body postures, and meditation. Its practice has many health benefits. Many people wonder if a few sun salutations or calming yogic breathing can help in becoming healthier.
The prevalence of lifestyle diseases like diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and obesity has increased in the modern world. They are brought on by an unhealthy lifestyle, which includes not getting enough exercise, eating poorly, and being stressed out. The number of people suffering from lifestyle diseases has been rising as a result of an increase in sedentary jobs, a decline in physical exercise, and bad diets. Yoga is a long-standing, traditional practice that dates back thousands of years.
Yoga emerged in India and has spread throughout the world as a result of its health advantages. To promote both physical and mental health, it integrates physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation techniques. Our lifestyles have become more sedentary as a result of the development of technology and modernization, which has contributed to an increase in lifestyle diseases.
A variety of health issues, including lifestyle diseases, can be prevented and managed with the help of yoga. Through this blog, you will learn what is the role of yoga in preventing lifestyle diseases.
When you start practicing yoga, you promise yourself the following health benefits that prevent lifestyle diseases:
* Improves posture
Sitting at the work desk for long hours can hurt your spine. It can also make you feel exhausted. Some yoga asanas help to improve your posture and keep neck and lower back pain at bay. Thus, this helps in the yogic management of common diseases.
* Builds muscle strength
Yoga asanas strengthen the weak muscles of the body. They tone the muscles, thereby preventing frequent straining of the muscles.
* Yoga benefits heart health.
Regular yoga practice may reduce levels of stress and body-wide inflammation, contributing to healthier hearts. Several of the factors contributing to heart disease, including high blood pressure and excess weight, can also be addressed through yoga.
* Enhances flexibility
When you practice different yoga asanas regularly, your body’s flexibility improves. For example, you can hope to touch your toes while bending forward. Over time, yoga lets you perform complex asanas. Thus, this is essential for yogic management of common diseases.
* Lowers blood sugar
If you’re wondering how can yoga help in preventing diabetes, you must know that it can lower blood sugar, lower bad cholesterol, and boost good cholesterol. In addition, performing various asanas help in weight loss and improve the body’s sensitivity to insulin.
* Avoids diseases
Yoga for diseases helps in boosting the body’s immune system. It helps in destroying different viruses the body can contract during season change. Moreover, it can boost immunity to ward off diseases.
* Increases blood flow
Yoga helps to regulate blood flow to all parts of the body. Yogic postures like handstands help in flowing venous blood from the lower part of the body to the heart. From here, the body pumps blood back into the lungs for oxygenation. Therefore, practising yoga for disease control and prevention is beneficial as blood flow increases in your body.
* Improves sleep
The number of diseases cured by yoga is plenty. The practice also helps you develop a routine that leads to a more disciplined sleeping pattern. It reduces stress and anxiety. When your body is relaxed, you enjoy a deeper and more peaceful sleep.
* Increases lung capacity
Breathing exercises help in improving lung function. By establishing a routine and practising breathing exercises in the long run, you can avoid many respiratory conditions. Likewise, yoga helps to increase your lung capacity. Thus, doing yoga for diseases is one of the ways to stay away from them.
Yoga poses / Asanas for diseases :
* Gout : Dhanur, Paschim Uttan, Pawan Mukta, Trikone, Parvat, Gomukh, Ardha Matsyendra, Janu Shir Asanas.
* Sciatica : Vajra, Gomukh and Hanuman Asanas.
* Constipation : Tarha, Chakra, Janushira, Mayur, Bhujang, Dhanur, Bhoomi-Pada-Mastak, Supta-Vajra, Karna-Peerha, Pada Hasta, Matsya Asanas.
* Worms : Nauka, Vrishchik, Matsyendra, Mayur, Sarvang, Shirsha, Pashchim Uttan, Asnas.
* Acidity : Shalabh Asnas.
* Sour Eructations : Bhujang Janushir, Chakra, Ushtra, Hasta-Pada-Angushtha, Pashchim Uttan Asnas.
* Frigidity and Sterlity : Bhujang, Shirsha, Pashchim Uttan, Sarvang, Matsaya and Supat Vajra Asanas.
* Weak Sexual Power : Chakra, Sarvanga, Garurh, Vatayan, Bhujang, Pashchim Uttan, Shirsha Asanas.
* Coryza : Shirsha, Hala and Sarvanga Asanas.
* Throat Infections : Singha, Sarvang, Shirsha, Hala, Chakra, Bhujang, Supta-Vajra and Matsaya Asanas.
* Menstrual Disorders : Hala, Dhanur, Shava, Vajra, Sarvanga, Bhujang, Matsya, Parvat, Shalabh and Shirsha asanas.
* Piles and Fistula : Sidha, Gomukh, Bhadra, Chandra Namaskar, Janushira, Sukh, Sarvnga, Uttan Pada Asanas.
* Fatigue : Shava, Matsya and Dand Asanas.
Sources :
* John Hopkins Medicine
* Tataaig.com
* Science of Art amd living
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