Yoga Day 2025: How this ancient practice aids diabetes and heart health
Every year on June 21st, the world pays tribute to yoga, an ancient Indian practice that has not only stood the test of time but also evolved into a cornerstone of modern-day wellness. For medical professionals, June 21 holds significance beyond its cultural roots; it serves as a reminder of how lifestyle interventions like yoga can effectively complement conventional medical care.With the growing burden of diabetes, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome, yoga is being recognised as a safe, accessible, and effective tool in both prevention and treatment. Far from being limited to stretching or breathing techniques, yoga is a holistic system that integrates the body, mind, and breath—elements that are crucial for addressing chronic lifestyle-related conditions.In 2025, the International Day of Yoga will embrace the theme 'Yoga for Self and Society.' This theme highlights not only the importance of personal health and mental well-being but also the broader aim of fostering community harmony. Individuals of all ages are encouraged to incorporate yoga into their daily routines for both personal and collective benefit.Many healthcare providers recognise that yoga serves as a valuable complement to patient care, particularly in managing common health issues encountered in modern medical practice. For expert insights, we turn to Dr. Koulsoum Houssein, a Consultant in General Medicine at Holy Family Hospital in Mumbai, who holds an MBBS, an MD in General Medicine, and a Diploma in Tropical Medicine from Paris, France.
Yoga Day 2025: How this ancient practice aids diabetes and heart health
YOGA AND MANAGING DIABETES:advertisementType 2 diabetes is primarily a lifestyle disorder that responds well to regular physical activity. Practicing yoga can improve insulin sensitivity, helping to lower blood sugar levels and reduce cortisol, which is known as the stress hormone. Specific asanas, such as Ardha Matsyendrasana (half spinal twist), Dhanurasana (bow pose), and Pavanamuktasana (wind-relieving pose), stimulate the pancreas and enhance digestive function.Additionally, yoga helps alleviate stress, which is a hidden contributor to poor blood sugar control. Breathing techniques like Bhastrika pranayama, along with mindfulness-based interventions, help reduce sympathetic nervous system overactivity. This can lead to fewer cravings, decreased fatigue, and more stable blood sugar levels.YOGA AND HYPERTENSION:
My patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension show excellent improvements if they take yoga up regularly. The slow, deep breathing of pranayama calms the nervous system and vascular resistance. Shavasana (Corpse pose), Sukhasana (Easy pose), and Viparita Karani (Legs-up-the-wall pose) asanas slow down heart rate and allow for complete relaxation. Yoga then helps in better BP control and less dependence on medications (under guidance) and fewer manifestations of stress-related symptoms like palpitations or headaches.METABOLIC HEALTH AND YOGA: advertisementMetabolic syndrome, which includes obesity, insulin resistance, high triglycerides, and abdominal fat, is now increasingly common. Yoga, in this regard, offers multifaceted help: processing digestion, regulating appetite, waking the body from boredom, and toning up the muscles. It also assists in balancing hormones, such as cortisol and insulin, which are principal actors in metabolism-user ana. Unlike high-intensity gym workouts, yoga offers a subtle approach, sustainable and adjustable enough for senior citizens or people with some sort of physical limitation. If coupled with a healthy diet and routine medical exams, yoga could be promoted as a core management strategy for metabolic health.
Yoga Day 2025: How this ancient practice aids diabetes and heart health
This International Day of Yoga 2025, I urge all my patients and peers to consider yoga not just as a workout fad but as a vital ally in preventive and curative healthcare. It goes well with medical treatments, develops mental health, and builds long-term well-being. Be it working with a chronic disease or simply to feel a little toward balanced, yoga is a window for everybody. As doctors, we're learning that the future of medicine isn't just going to be about pills but about the intelligent blend of ancient wisdom and modern science. Yoga is the perfect example.
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