You’ll feel better and lower your risk of injury and soreness if you take it easy at first and gradually work your muscles up to the state of a more experienced yoga student. “Listen to your own inner teacher,” recommends Beryl Herrin. “You know intuitively how much energy to use and when to go easy.”
Once you get started practicing yoga, you’ll discover that its benefits aren’t limited only to class time. Yoga’s benefits are long-lasting, and yoga techniques are accessible at any time. The next time you feel your heart racing because you’re angry or anxious about something, start to take deep, gentle breaths and see how it helps to calm you down. When you’re stiff from sitting in front of your computer all day, get up and do some simple stretches. Standing in line at the grocery store, note whether you’re holding any of your muscles tightly; if so, gently release them. Not only will practicing these yoga techniques make you feel better, but you also may find that by reducing your stress level, they help you keep your blood glucose in better control, too. Yoga — building connections between mind and body — is a great tool for anyone trying to successfully manage his diabetes.
