5 Yoga Asans To Keep Your Diabetics Under Control

India is soon set to become the diabetes capital of the world and changing lifestyles are a major contributor to the epidemic. While blood sugar levels can be controlled to some extent, just with small changes in lifestyle, practising yoga regularly has also shown to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels. Watch this gallery to see what asanas can help:

# Child's Pose

Sit on the floor with your weight on your knees. Now flatten your feet onto the floor and sit on your heels. Spread your thighs apart a little. Exhale and bend forward from your waist. Let your stomach rest on your thighs and extend your back. Now stretch out your arms in front of you to elongate the back. You can also rest your forehead on the floor. This may require flexibility, so don’t push your body beyond its limit. You will get better with time.This is a resting pose so you should ideally breath at a normal pace. You can stay in this pose for as long as three minutes or as little as five counts. Tip: If you are pregnant, have a knee injury or have diarrhoea do not do this pose.

# Surya namaskar

Made popular by none-other-than Kareena Kapoor, this set of 12 yoga asanas has a number of benefits for the body. It not only gently activates the entire endocrine system but it also helps the pancreas work properly. Surya Namaskar also helps strengthen the spine, hips, lungs and chest while increasing circulation of blood throughout the body. It invigorates the facial tissues, and stimulates the nervous system to work properly.

# Ardhavakra asana

This asana is aimed at making the organs of the abdomen and stomach function properly. It activates the adrenal glands, ovaries, pancreas and testicles. Ardhavakrasana also helps relieve constipation, backaches, stiffness around the neck and other spinal disorders.

# Matsyendra asana

Also known as the fish pose, this asana is great for your pancreas, thyroid gland, andrenal glands and testicles. The fish pose also tones the muscles of the abdomen and relieves disorders of the kidneys, intestines, bladder and pelvic region. A great asana for people with diabetes this asana does take a little practice but gets better with practice.

# Suptavajra asana

This asana is an extension of vajrasana or the diamond pose. The sputa vajrasana as the name suggests is when you lie down while doing vajrasana. A little complex to do, this pose is great for diabetics. Suptavajrasana helps stimulate the cells of the pancreas and increases blood supply to the organ. This asana also helps resolve illnesses of the stomach, intestines, kidneys and spleen. It also relieves constipation and gas within the stomach.