The practice of yoga asana and pranayama is effective both as a preventive measure and also a treatment for Type 2 diabetes, where the causes are generally attributed to unhealthy lifestyle choices and stress.

Unlike any most other forms of exercise, yoga involves a unique set of poses (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama), and meditation techniques that can help you deal with diabetes.

Here are just a few of yoga’s many benefits:

• • Decreases stress, which may help make blood glucose levels more manageable in people with Type 1 diabetes or Type 2 diabetes
• • Decreases the risk of injury from daily activities
• • Helps promote relaxation and a feeling of wellness
• • Improves balance, strength, and coordination
• • Increases range of motion
• • Keeps joints flexible and healthy

Yoga practice will also teach you how to cope with your condition because it gives you the necessary tools to put you in greater control of your diabetes. Breathing and meditation techniques can be especially powerful, enabling you maintain a positive attitude.

Yoga Asana Practice Speeds Nerve Impulses

One of the major problems for long term diabetes sufferers is nerve damage due to constant high sugar levels in the body. This nerve damage leads to the slowing of nerve impulses, decreased sensation, numbness of the feet (neuropathy), and poor bowel function.

How does yoga help? Scientists at Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital, in Delhi, India, studied a group of 20 Type 2 diabetic subjects between the ages of 30-60 years. Their goal was to see whether certain Yoga asanas had any effect on nerve conduction. The Yoga asanas included Suryanamskar Tadasan, Konasan, Padmasan Pranayam, Shavasan, Pavanmukthasan, Sarpasan and Shavasan. These asanas were performed for 40 minutes every day in succession for 40 days in the above sequence. The subjects continued their normally prescribed medicines and diet. Blood sugar and nerve conduction velocity of the median nerve (in the hand) were measured and then repeated after 40 days of the Yogic regime. Another group of 20 type 2 diabetes subjects of comparable age and severity (called the control group), were kept on prescribed medication and diet but only engaged in light physical exercises like walking. Their initial and post 40 day’s parameters were also recorded for comparison.

At the end of the 40 days, those who practiced the yoga asanas had improved the nerve impulse in their hands. The measurements showed hand nerve conduction velocity increased from 52.8 meters per second to 53.8 m/sec. The control group’s nerve function actually deteriorated over the 40 day period of study, indicating that diabetes is a slowly progressive disease involving the nerves. The authors conclude that yoga asanas have a beneficial effect on blood sugar control and improve nerve function in type 2 diabetics who have mild nerve damage. This study conclusively shows that yoga asana practice not only slows the progression of the disease but also increases nerve conductivity.

Yoga Asana Practice Lowers Blood Sugar in Diabetics

Certain yoga asanas, when practiced regularly, are now known to have a host of beneficial effects on human body including diabetes. Researchers at the University College of Medical Sciences, in Shahdara, New Delhi studied 24 patients aged 30-60 years old who had non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (aka, Type 2 diabetes). Type 1 diabetics require insulin, while Type II diabetics are commonly treated with diet, exercise, and oral medications that lower blood sugar. These researchers then evaluated the baseline fasting blood sugar levels of the patients in the study, and they also performed pulmonary function studies that measure lung capacity including the amount of air that can be exhaled within the first second of a rapid exhale.

After these basic tests were completed, yoga experts gave these patients training in specific yoga asanas. The yoga asana practice, which included breathing exercises (pranayama), was done for 40 minutes a day and continued for 40 consecutive days. These asanas consisted of 13 well known and common postures, always done in the same sequence. After 40 days of this yoga asana regimen, the testing was repeated. The results indicated that there was significant decrease in fasting blood sugar levels (from about 190 initially to 140) after the 40 day period of yoga asana practice. Fasting blood sugar in people without diabetes is normally 120 or below.

The pulmonary function studies showed an average improvement of about 10% in total lung capacity. These findings have shown that better blood sugar control and overall pulmonary function can be achieved in diabetics when they stick to a regular daily schedule of yoga asana practice combined with pranayama.

The precise mechanism as to how these asanas and controlled breathing interact with physio-neuro-endocrine systems affecting blood sugar and pulmonary functions remain elusive thus far.

10 Yoga Poses for Defeating Diabetes – a few poses to get you started from Rodale News, click on: https://www.rodalenews.com/yoga-diabetes 

Rae Indigo is ERYT 500

Anyone who’s interested in personal development really needs to learn how to constantly emit higher levels of thought vibration; although we can conveniently call it something else like “happiness”, “peace of mind,” or an “abundance consciousness” for example.

There are several techniques that we use to get our thinking back on track when we’ve fallen into low frequency thought patterns including; depression, sadness, negativity, anger and/or apathy. First step is to find out what works and then keep doing it.

To learn to think regularly at a higher level of frequency is hardly ever an overnight change, instead, it’s a case of gradual improvement combined with frequent practice. Notice when you feel blue or down and then address it by trying some of the following ideas to pick yourself up.

Fortunately, the more we’re able to practice these techniques, the more happiness and higher levels of thought vibration will be our natural state of being. All we have to do is choose to operate at a higher level, in fact, even thinking about thinking at the higher level tends to get you there, how about that for a nice little coincidence!

Here are 5 methods to practice:

1. 1.Visualization: Visualization may well be the fastest way to operate at a higher level of thought vibration. Simply relax, shut your eyes, and actually visualize yourself being as happy, positive and friendly as you can possibly imagine. Take note of how you feel and what you can see, hear and smell. Notice what sort of thoughts are running through your mind. Observe how people respond to you when you’re feeling like this. Realize how good it makes you (and those around you) feel. Enjoy feeling like this! Practice this for a few minutes every day for three weeks and your self-image and thought patterns will change dramatically.

2. 2.Meditation: Meditation helps you the step out of the frantic, fast paced throes of modern life, and enables you to take time for quiet reflection, peace of mind and total relaxation. Naturally, this automatically helps you to raise your level of vibration.

3. 3.Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP): NLP is loaded with tools to help you feel better about yourself and subsequently it can help you to increase your thought vibration accordingly.

4. 4.Acceptance and the “Now” Presence: A powerful spiritual way of increasing your thought vibration is to practice being present in the present moment, and to learn to accept whatever comes across your path, as it comes across your path, without reacting to it. When you can get the hang of this, it may be far more powerful and transformative than the other options.

5. 5.Gratitude: Gratitude is the 5^th tip for raising your level of thought frequency. By being grateful for what you already have in your life you will establish a powerful practice and it will have an extraordinary effect on your thought vibration. Close your eyes and review all that’s good in your life, and really dive deep into the feelings of thanks. You’ll be amazed at how “win-win” this simple (but grossly overlooked) technique is!

Rae Indigo is ERYT 500

First, we need to begin by determining whether a thought we are thinking is empowering or disempowering. We can check in with our thoughts by simply asking ourselves, “Are the thoughts that I am thinking empowering or disempowering?” When we change our thoughts, we can then change our feelings. Thoughts lead to feelings, feelings lead to actions and actions lead to results. This is basis of the “Law of Attraction.” If we practice thinking thoughts that have a higher vibration, we tend to get more of what we desire in life, plus we’ll feel better about ourselves too.

Ordinarily, thoughts that vibrate at a higher level are more likely to be strong, positive and empowering. On the other hand thoughts that vibrate at a low level are liable to be negative, harmful and disempowering.

The general consensus is that what we think about most is what we will manifest in our life; so if we’re operating from a higher frequency, we are more likely to attract the life we desire. We’re also more likely to be happier and in a better state of mind.

Recognizing High and Low Levels of Thought Vibration:

If we stop for a second and take a look at our own personal thought patterns, we may realize that we instinctively understand the concept of thought vibration, at least at a subconscious or even unconscious level. We begin to view all thoughts as energy, and good thoughts vibrate differently from bad thoughts. This will make immediate sense if we compare what being in a good mood feels like compared to being in a bad mood.

When we are “operating at a higher level of thought vibration”, it clarifies our thinking, making it positive and focused. We also tend to be in a more relaxed state and be more focused on opportunities than on problems. When our thinking is such, our whole body feels good, and positive emotions like excitement, anticipation and happiness become the norm.

Whenever we are in this state of mind, we may find that people (and even animals) tend to respond well to us. We’re less likely to encounter various problems, and we may even stumble upon a bit of good fortune that we wouldn’t normally anticipate. When we’re operating from a higher level of thought vibration, people may subconsciously pick up on the fact that we are sending out “good vibes,” and that’s all higher thought vibration is; good vibes.

Just the opposite is true when we are operating at a lower frequency of thought vibration, we are sending out “bad vibes” or perhaps we’re feeling sorry for ourselves, rehashing things that have already happened, feeling miserable and depressed, and emotions like anger, fear and discontent can become the norm. People will then subconsciously avoid us, or worse, will be drawn into conflict with us. This is a dreadful way to live; but ironically, many people will live like this for the majority of their existence.

The Benefits of Generating a High Level of Thought Vibration

Operating at a higher level of thought vibration is extremely liberating, regardless of how briefly we do it. Not only will we feel happier and more positive about life, but we are much less likely to be judgmental or disrespectful of other people, or to engage in worthless negative activities like gossiping and complaining.

We’ll experience a strange sense of heightened energy, which draws us to other like-minded people. In fact, we’re much more inclined to want to spend time with friends and colleagues. We’ll probably find ourselves meeting new and interesting people too.

So we need to smile more, laugh more and try not taking ourselves so seriously. When we are happy with the present moment as it is, and we won’t waste time and energy wishing we were doing something else.

We’ll be more motivated to achieve our goals, more positive about achieving them, and be genuinely happy and joyous, enjoying the wonder that life truly is. Good vibes are most definitely the way to go!

Rae Indigo is ERYT 500

Coming next, “How to Use Thoughts to Vibrate at a Higher Level.” So stay tuned…

Modern science has concluded that everything that exists in the universe is made of vibration” – Hiroshi Doi-sensei…

Raising our vibration is an extremely effective way to insure we’re living a balanced and happy life It’s also a way to send positive energy out into the universe. Whenever we emit a lower vibration (or frequency), we block ourselves from truly arriving at the harmony and balance that’s necessary to experience a more peaceful and happy life. It is easy to observe how a life of discord/dissonance facilitates a lower vibratory energy, and sense its negative manifestation in today’s world.

It does take a bit of work however to raise our personal vibrations, so a consistent effort is required both to raise and to maintain these vibrations. The following tips have proven useful in the effort to raise our vibration.

Being mindful of our thoughts

It is vital to keep a close eye on the habitual negative thoughts and tendencies that arise. In the beginning it can be difficult to be aware of the seemingly endless thoughts that constantly bombard our minds all day long, but by noticing unwelcome or negative thoughts we can then start to replace them with a positive thought. We can introduce positive thoughts in our mind, thoughts that we know will make us happy, ones that we can substitute for any negative thoughts that comes into our mind.  The key here is to spend as much time as possible thinking positive thoughts, leaving less time to think negative thoughts. When we spend more time engaged in balanced, positive and rational thoughts our vibration level will be raised.

Always think before you speak

Thinking before speaking can be quite challenging for a lot of people. For instance, if you’re looking for a new relationship, resist saying things like “I’ll never find the right person for me.” If you talk like this, this is exactly what you will attract. You will likely get just what you say and think. By changing your words you’ll increase your chances to change your life in a positive way.

Beware of negative, ungrounded individuals

These types of people are running on a very low vibration level, and their low vibration can have an adverse impact on your vibration level if you allow it. Remember, a person’s bio-energy field (aka, aura) can extend out several feet from them. If you feel that another’s energy may have a negative effect on you and you can’t distance yourself from them, imagine being surrounded and protected by white light.

Spend time daily practicing meditation

Take a walk in the woods or through a nature center, away from the city and the noise. Find a place in the country and take a long walk, concentrating on the surroundings, keeping your mind off your usual thoughts. This is a great way to clear your head and subsequently raise your vibration. If you can’t get away, try listening to some relaxing music or ambient sounds and concentrate on the sounds.

Become aware of your thoughts, words and actions

Everything we do will come back to us in some way so it’s good to always be wary of how we treat others and how we act in different situations. How we treat others usually determines how we will be treated and by doing right by everyone we come into contact with will naturally help to raise our vibration prompting others to do the right thing by us. Treating everyone compassionately will attract positive people and provide many positive opportunities in our life.

Avoid TV, radio and media in general

It’s especially important to avoid most news programs because they often do much more harm to your vibratory level than good. When watching TV we end up taking in so much negative energy and it becomes confusing to our subconscious mind and some of that negative imagery and energy gets absorbed by your subconscious, triggering a feeling of fear from within. Most of the mainstream media relies on fear mongering, they want to shock you into a state of fear so you keep on watching and the more you watch, the more addicted you become. This can have a disastrous impact on your vibratory level.

Strive to remain as optimistic and as rational as possible

This can be difficult to do especially whenever a crisis arises, but when we are in a crisis situation, this is when it’s most important to stay positive. By remaining positive and rational, we’ll keep our vibration high, and when we are vibrating at a higher rate our challenges will be reduced much quicker or we may even find it wasn’t really a problem at all. Positive people, things and events are attracted to positive people. Surrounding ourselves with positive, sensible and rational people is a great way to arrive at (and maintain) a healthy state of mind.

Keep in close touch with your feelings/emotions

Feelings and emotions are our cosmic connection in regards to our entire life and the well-being of the planet. The universe understands the language of feelings and emotions. When we are feeling good about ourselves things residing on the same level of frequency will be the only things attracted into our lives. Our level of vibration runs parallel with our feelings, meaning we are in control of our life and the events that come into our life at any given moment. If there is one important point in relation to raising your vibration it would be to stay on top of your feelings.

Summary: Our personal vibration could be the one factor holding us back from a life of abundance, happiness and success. When we discover how to raise it, we can finally start living from the vibration of love, peace and joy.

Next: “How to Raise Your Thought Vibration” So, check back soon…

Rae Indigo is ERYT 500