Yoga as Medicine

---

YOGA FOR BACKPAIN

ARTHRITIS

Many forms of arthritis, especially autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, involve inflammation, a process that causes joint swelling, redness, and pain and eventually destroys the joint components. Yoga may be a gentle, soothing form of physical activity for someone with RA or a similar disease, but can regular yoga practice actually help reduce inflammation

• Surya namaskara
• Veerasana
• Vrukshasana
• Sukhasana
• Veerabhadrasana

DIABETES

Yoga postures for diabetes switch back and forth between asanas (poses) that contract specific areas of the abdomen and asanas that relax those areas. This alternation between abdominal contractions and release stimulates the pancreas, increasing blood and oxygen supply. As a result, the pancreatic cells, buffeted by nutrients and fresh blood flow, undergo a rejuvenation that improves the organ’s ability to produce insulin. Yogic breathing practices also work in a similar way to stimulate healthy pancreatic function.

In addition to postures that directly stimulate the pancreas and aid in insulin production, the exercise yoga provides reduces blood sugar levels and helps relieve one of the main symptoms of diabetes: hypoglycemia. Yogic exercise has also been shown to reduce LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and triglyceride levels, both of which are often accompanying symptoms for diabetes.

• Vrukshasana
• Halasana
• Dhanurasana
• Arda matsyendrasana

HYPERTENSION

Yoga lowers blood pressure naturally by inducing deep relaxation in the body, which is associated with reduced nervous system activity and a feeling of well-being, probably due to an increase in antioxidants and lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol

• Uttanasana
• Paschimottanasana
• Halasana
• Sethubandusarvangasana

INSOMNIA

yoga can improve physical strength and flexibility, improve breathing, reduce stress and enhance mental focus and promotes sleep

• Halasana
• Balasana
• Uttanasana
• Viparitakarani
• Arda matsyendrasana

Specific yoga poses can target tension and stress, which may be contributing to your migraines. Certain poses can help boost circulation and improve blood flow to your brain

• Utanasana
• Paschimotanasana
• Matsyendrasana
• Janusirasana
• Setubandasana

OBESITY

Aside from the physical side of it that helps you burn calories, the main reason yoga can help you lose weight actually comes from the mental side of it. We all know that stress leads to a poor diet. Yoga helps to greatly reduce stress, which not only helps you make better decisions but also lowers cortisol levels.

• Bhujangasana
• Naukasana
• Pavanamukthasana
• Ushtrasana
• Paschimotan asana
• Parshvakonasana

IBS

Yoga is a good choice for IBS because it can help lower your stress levels ,certain poses can help relieve certain symptoms of IBS like gas and bloating

• Arda Matsyendrasana
• Pavanamukthasana
• Dhanurasana
• Ananda Balasana

BENEFITS OF YOGA

• Increased flexibility.
• Increased muscle strength and tone.
• Improved respiration, energy and vitality.
• Maintaining a balanced metabolism.
• Weight reduction.
• Cardio and circulatory health.
• Improved athletic performance.
• Protection from injury.