Yoga

Yoga arrived in the U.S. from India in the late 1800s, where it has been part of religious philosophy for more than 5,000 years. Most of us think of yoga as exercise, but in India, yoga is a life discipline. Yoga students learn moral and ethical development, postures called asanas, breathing patterns, meditation, self-discipline, and spiritual teachings. Teachers called gurus share wisdom and yoga practices with their students.

Today in the U.S., you can choose from many types of yoga and most have been changed for Americans. Hatha, Iyengar, Astanga, Kripalu, Bikram, and Kundalini are common forms that can be done by new or advanced students. A good yoga teacher will support change at your own pace—you don't have to be able to become a pretzel on the first day.

Benefits of yoga

Many Americans enjoy doing yoga poses to keep the body strong and flexible, and to calm the mind. Yoga practice can:

• Strengthen muscles and increase flexibility
• Lower heart rate and blood pressure
• Unlock congestion
• Improve blood flow and nervous function
• Massage inner organs
• Change brain waves

Focus during a yoga pose can deepen awareness of your emotional and mental states. Over time, the postures, rhythmic breathing, and focused mind create more overall balance in the body, making it possible to do harder poses.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) are studying the benefits of yoga for insomnia. They believe that yoga will help people to fall asleep, because it relaxes the mind and body.

You can buy a yoga video, but it's best to start by taking a class. Yoga postures are learned slowly, with subtle adjustments to the body. A teacher can show you how to move your body to avoid strain and gain the health benefit of the yoga pose.

Yoga, diabetes, and CKD

People who do regular yoga often say they feel better and are more able to deal with life stress. Their bodies and minds react less to daily events, which can translate to fewer swings in blood sugar—and better use of insulin. With less stress, the organs work better.

While most yoga enhances health and well-being, some types of yoga might create stress for some health problems:

• Kundalini yoga uses rapid breathing patterns. These help purify the body, but may be stressful to the kidneys.
• Modern types of yoga are sometimes done in a very hot room. This creates a detoxification response that can be hard for the kidneys to handle.
• Power yoga may be too strenuous.

Before joining a yoga class, ask the teacher if the style, level, and room are suitable for your health. Also be sure to mention any other health problems you have, like back, knee, shoulder, or neck pain.