Credit: Wikimedia Commons
This blog post is the latest in a series on the endocrine system. Previous posts explore poses for the thyroid and the adrenal glands.
The Pancreas
The Pancreas, which sits right behind the stomach, helps the body make digestive juices as well as maintain healthy blood sugar levels. It is primarily responsible for producing the hormones, insulin and glucagon.
First, the hormone insulin, which allows the absorption of glucose from the blood. Diabetes can occur when there is a lack of insulin (Type 1) or insulin resistance (Type 2).
Second, the hormone glucagon, which releases the glucose stored in the liver. This hormone prevents your blood glucose levels from dropping to low.
Yoga will not cure a person of diabetes but according to the American Diabetes Association, research has shown that a regular Yoga practice for those with Type 2 diabetes can reduce Body Mass Index (BMI), improve glycemic control as well as a reduce oxidative stress which has been implicated as the root cause underlying the development of insulin resistance. Even for those who don’t have diabetes, we still need to be aware of oxidative stress, BMI and blood sugar levels.
Yoga Poses
The following poses will massage the pancreas and have a toning or revitalising effect. By bending forward and twisting in these poses, the pancreas is getting ‘wrung out’ so to speak.
Supta Matsyendrasana or Spinal Twist
Navasana or Boat Pose
Paschimotanasana or Seated Forward Fold
Parivrtta Sukhasana or Revolved Easy Twist Pose
Do you know any poses that are good for diabetics? Or perhaps you would like a private yoga session to go through some of these and other poses that are good for the endocrine system. Feel free to contact me or leave a comment below.