An Observational Study on the Effect of Yoga and Sudarshan Kriya in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

IntroductionOne of the major health problems in many countries including India is type 2 diabetes. Yoga is being explored as an alternative therapy for the management of diabetes.MethodsAmong the total of 137 participants who successfully completed the ‘Living Well’ workshop by the Art of Living, 84 with type 2 diabetes were assessed for change in random blood sugar levels, systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels (SBP/DBP), and pulse rate over seven days. In the Living Well workshop, the participants performed a comprehensive Yogic Breathing Program that included yogic movements and postures (Asana), relaxation practice, three-stage Pranayama, Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY), breathing techniques, and discussion of stress relieving principles over those seven days. The parameters were recorded at the time of enrollment and after the completion of seven days of the workshop.ResultsThere was a greater (p0.05) in diabetics and non-diabetics. The percent reduction in the pulse rate however was greater (p