Biography
Biography: Anouk Prop
Abstract
Nowadays many treatments are available in Health care to address the chronic condition of diabetes. An increasing number is focusing on a more holistic approach, encompassing a variety of methods and tools to help achieve, maintain and enhance a Healthy way of living, diet and exercise. Yoga and mindfulness as complementary Health practices are increasingly being used to help battling the physical and emotional challenges that come with living with diabetes and provide a Healthy outlet to cope with its daily life stressors. It is considered to be a promising, cost-effective option in the treatment and prevention of diabetes. Yoga has been used for thousands of years as a means of promoting physical, mental and spiritual Health and is seen as very beneficial in holistic Health care to help reduce levels of stress, enhance mobility, lower blood pressure and improve overall wellbeing. The benefits support improving posture, circulation, strength, flexibility and dealing with pains and discomfort. Breathing exercises, gentle motions and mindfulness enhance the function and efficiency of respiratory, neurological and endocrine organs, enhance energy levels and reduce stress. The improved circulation lowers blood pressure and increases oxygen flow to the brain that has a mood-altering effect on accompanying feelings of depression, anxiety or psychological distress. Self-awareness and self-discipline are enhanced through the practice of yoga and its full-on exposure therapy nature. An increasing number of diabetics are turning yoga and mindfulness in an effort to keep their condition under control and improve their quality of life. In addition, yoga and mindfulness practices focus on acceptance and compassion that are main principles in stress management that is one of the keys in diabetes treatment. In this workshop, best practices of yoga postures, controlled breathing techniques and mindfulness meditations as a tool to prevent and treat diabetes are demonstrated in combination with an overview of its theoretical background and benefits and implications for practice.