Summary

Summary

• Yoga as a preventive measure. Unlike ordinary exercise, yogasanas slow the respiration and metabolism and help arrest catabolism, making yoga a gentle, sustainable way to prevent and manage the common lifestyle diseases of a sedentary, modern life.
• Obesity (3.1). Preventive asanas include Tadasana, Katichakrasana, Pavanmuktasana, Matsyasana, Halasana, Paschimottanasana, Ardha Matsyendrasana, Dhanurasana and Ushtrasana, along with Surya Bhedhana Pranayama — together they trim abdominal fat, aid digestion and improve flexibility.
• Diabetes mellitus (3.2). Asanas such as Bhujangasana, Shalabhasana, Supta-Vajrasana, Mandukasana, Gomukhasana and Yogamudra, plus Kapalabhati, stimulate the pancreas and abdominal organs and help control blood sugar.
• Bronchial asthma (3.3). Urdhwahastottansana, Uttan Mandukasana, Vakrasana and other asanas, along with Anulom-Vilom pranayama, expand the chest, improve lung capacity and ease breathing.
• Hypertension (3.4). Calming asanas and breathing practices — Uttanpadasana, Ardha-Halasana, Sarala Matsyasana, Makarasana and the deeply relaxing Shavasana, with Nadi-Shodhana and Sheetali pranayama — steady the nervous system, improve circulation and help lower blood pressure, the silent killer.
• Back pain and arthritis (3.5). Ardha-Chakrasana, Bhadrasana and the relaxing Makarasana, along with Nadi-Shodhana pranayam, strengthen the back and abdominal muscles, keep the hips, knees and ankles supple and relieve tension in the spine. …