Table 2. Some of the Beneficial Effects of Yoga Practices on Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Yoga practice	Effects
Surya namaskar sun salutation	Stimulates insulin production through brain signalling [8]
A series of dynamic yoga postures in a specific sequence	Significantly decreases hip circumference, exerting beneficial effects on glycaemic outcomes [10]
Yoga asana (yoga postures)	Rejuvenates of pancreatic cells through the alternating abdominal contractions and
	relaxations involved in yoga practice
	Improves blood supply to muscles
	Enhances insulin receptor expression in the muscles, causing increased glucose
	uptake by muscles [2]
	Has positive effects on glucose utilization and fat redistribution in type 2 diabetes [11]
Forward bend	Massages and pressurizes the pancreas, stimulating insulin secretion
Backward bend	Exerts stimulating and energizing effects
Twisted poses	Squeeze the intestines to prevent stagnation of colonic contents
Inversions	Improve blood circulation
Shuddhi kriya cleansing processes
Kapalbhati (frontal brain purification): breathing technique with forceful exhalations and automatic inhalations	Abdominal pressure created during exhalation improves the efficiency of β-cells of the pancreas
	Helps in the production of insulin and controlling glucose levels in the blood
Agnisar kriya (stimulating the digestive fire): pulling the abdomen in (uddiyan bandha) and snapping it backwards and forwards while holding one's breath	The ‘vacuum’ effect of this action massages the internal organs and increase blood flow to the area
	Boosts metabolism and facilitates proper functioning of the abdominal organs [11]
Vaman dhauti (stomach cleansing with induced vomiting)	Increases glucose uptake, minimizes insulin resistance, and promotes the function of insulin by reducing levels of circulating free fatty acids in the body
	Marked reduction in fasting and post-prandial blood sugar levels
Shankhaprakshalana (intestine cleansing)	Significantly reduces blood glucose levels
	Increases insulin production [8]
Pranayama (regulated breathing)
Slow pranayama, anulom vilom, chandrabhedan, sitkari, and bhramari	Augment cerebral blood flow and oxygenation, improving neuronal activities in the brain centres, including those present in the limbic areas, hypothalamus, and medulla, and improve sympathovagal outflow [15]
Anulom vilom (alternate nostril breathing)	Improves components of health-related fitness, i.e., cardiorespiratory endurance, flexibility, and body fat percentage [16]
Bhramari (humming bee breath)	Soothing and calming effect on the mind, improves mental and physical health [17]
Sheetali/Sitkari (cooling breath)	Lowers blood pressure, cooling effect
Chandra bhedan (left nostril breathing)	Parasympathetic stimulation
Surya bhedan (right nostril breathing)	Sympathetic stimulating effect; may be recommended in people with diabetes [18]
Bhastrika (bellows breath)	Regulation of pineal, pituitary, and adrenaline glands, important role in the regulation of metabolism [19]
Bandha (lock)
Constricts a certain part of the body	Re-directs the flow of blood and lymph to other body parts
Uddiyan bandha (abdominal lock): creation of negative pressure in abdomen and contraction of abdomen	Negative pressure created in the abdominal cavity may improve pancreatic function
Hasta mudras (hand gestures)
Apan mudra, gyan mudra	Promote deep relaxation and eliminate stress
Linga mudra, surya mudra, prana mudra	Boost metabolic rates, promote weight loss, and reduce sugar levels
Dhyan (meditation)	Beneficial psychological effects, such as faster reactions to stimuli and being less prone to various forms of stress [24], anxiety reduction, and blood pressure control [25]
Meditation on the manipur chakra (solar plexus), visualization of pancreas during meditation	Positive effects on sugar levels
Mindfulness	Better sleep, greater relaxation, more accepting approaches to illness and the illness experience in people with diabetes and coronary heart disease [26]
“Aum” chanting	Stabilizes the brain, removes negative thoughts, increases energy, improves mind and body relaxation within minutes of practice [20]
	Chanting in the supine posture produces an integrated relaxation response [21]
Yoga nidra (yogic relaxation)	Improved symptom score, reduction of fasting blood glucose and postprandial blood glucose levels [27]