There are three types of breathing exercises that can help alleviate, or even cure, diabetes.

Aalom vilom (AV)

Aalom vilom (AV) is a single-nostril breathing exercise. Begin with a minute of deep but slow breathing. In all breathing exercises the hands must rest on the knees. It helps to close the eyes.

Inhale through the left nostril while keeping the right nostril pressed with the thumb of the right hand. Follow this by exhaling through the right nostril while keeping the left nostril pressed with the middle fingers of both hands. The aim is to achieve 100-120 inhalations and exhalations over a five-minute period. Stop for a moment if you are tired.

Kapalbharti (KB)

Kapalbharti (KB) is a double-nostril exercise of exhalations done at the rate of one per second. Mentally focus on exhalations and not inhalations, which will happen automatically. The idea is to throw the bad breath loaded with carbon dioxide out. This ensures quick replacement of the toxic gas with the refreshing oxygen needed for cellular metabolism.

Both AV and KB are done for five minutes each by the beginners. They need to be extended up to fifteen minutes or more over a period of time through practice.

Agnisar

Agnisar is yet another type of pranayama. Sit quietly with the eyes closed. Stretch the arms and rest the hands on the knees, like in other breathing exercises. Take a deep breath and also inflate the belly. Stop now for a few seconds and then exhale while gradually deflating the belly. Stop again for another couple of seconds and, immediately afterwards, shake the belly in a rhythmic motion. In gentle strokes, the belly moves in and out. Exercise contraction and expansion of the belly muscles as long as possible, before stopping and allowing air to fill up the lungs to the full. A minute of this is enough.

Focus on the Pancreas

While performing the breathing exercises to control diabetes, one should focus on the pancreas. Imagining the normal secretion of insulin while concentrating on the left part of the belly under the lungs, the position of pancreas, helps in achieving maximum results too.

Followed by or during the two to three minute intervals in between the five-minute breathing sessions one can perform a set of physical exercises or sukshmavyayama. These exercises involve posture, and through the appropriate postures one can give enough exercise to the affected organ.

Sukshmavyayama or Physical Exercise for Diabetes >>