Abstract

RELEVANCE OF YOGA THROUGH PASCHIMOTTANASANA ON TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS - A LITERATURE REVIEW

*Dr. Sangeeta Patel, Dr. Mukund D. Bamnikar HOD, Dr. Manjiri Palnitkar and Dr. Sachin Upalanchiwar

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder of endocrine system and one of the most dreadful lifestyle disease conditions which is spreading as an epidemic across the globe as large number of individuals remain asymptomatic and unaware of having this disorder. Once regarded as a single disease entity, diabetes is now seen as a heterogeneous group of diseases, characterized by a state of chronic hyperglycemia resulting from environmental and genetic factors acting jointly. Unavailability of satisfactory treatment in modern medicine has led to alternative approach to this refractory and iceberg disease. Various alternative approaches such as lifestyle modification, Yoga, use of medicinal plants having multiple beneficial effects. Alternative methods not only take care of most of the metabolic abnormalities associated with diabetes but can also reduce the risk of developing or delay the onset of diabetes mellitus among susceptible persons. Yoga has always been an essential part of life in traditional system of treatment as it include physical activities like several postures in the form of Asana, breathing exercises in the form of Pranayama which can play a vital role to prevent such lifestyle related diseases. The system of yoga advocated by Acharya Patanjali consists of eight limbs. The third limb of yoga is asana. Asana brings steadiness, health and lightness to body. Nowadays large number of population is suffering from lifestyle disorder like diabetes mellitus, so for this the most excellent of all Asanas is the Paschimottanasana.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, yoga, Paschimottanasana.