The Truth About Yoga for Type 2 Diabetes (It’s Not What You Think!)

"Your excuses for why you can't do yoga are actually the exact reasons why you should start."

Welcome back to The Diabetes Podcast®!

When you hear the word "movement," what comes to mind? For a lot of us, it brings up feelings of guilt. We think about heavy weights, long runs, or sweating on a treadmill. And when we hear the word "yoga," we picture super flexible people twisting themselves into pretzels on Instagram.

But what if movement didn't have to be punishing? What if it could actually feel good?

Today, we sat down with Veronique Ory, an intuitive movement guide and yoga instructor. She completely changed how we look at yoga for Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. We learned that you don't even need to touch your toes to get the benefits!

Here are the biggest takeaways from our amazing chat with Veronique.

Why Yoga for Type 2 Diabetes Isn't What You Think

A lot of us have a list of reasons why we can't do yoga.I can't touch my toes. My balance is bad. I have a bum knee.

But Veronique points out something powerful:Your excuses are actually your reasons to start.

If your balance is bad, gentle movement will help fix it. If you can't touch your toes, stretching will give you more freedom to move. Yoga is really just about unity. It is about bringing your mind and your body together. You can practice mindfulness while folding your laundry or walking your dog. It doesn't have to be scary!

The Power of a Morning Reset (No Talking Before 8 AM!)

How do you greet the day? Do you wake up annoyed at your alarm? Do you instantly start worrying about your to-do list?

The way you start your morning sets the tone for your whole day. When we wake up stressed, our bodies release stress hormones. And as we know, high stress hormones can make our blood sugar spike!

Veronique suggests a simple rule:Protect your mornings.

• Try not to look at your phone right away.

• Spend five minutes in silence.

• Breathe and think about one good thing.

Amber and I joked that we need a strict "no talking about finances before 8 AM" rule in our house! Give yourself the gift of a quiet morning. It is a beautiful form of self-care.

Stop Claiming Your "Bum Knee"

This was a huge "aha!" moment for us. How often do you say, "I have a bad back," or "This is my bum knee"?

When we use that kind of language, we create a self-fulfilling prophecy. We tell our bodies that this part is broken and bad. Instead of judging your body, try just naming the feeling.

Instead of saying,"My bad shoulder is acting up,"try saying,"I feel some tightness in my left shoulder today."

Taking the negative label away helps you stop fighting your body. It gives your body permission to heal.

Eat Foods That Love You Back

We talk a lot about food on this podcast. Sometimes, we just want a sweet treat. That is totally normal! Food companies design junk food to make us crave it.

But Veronique shared a beautiful phrase:Eat foods that love you back.

Amber shared a great example. She recently wanted a dopamine hit from some ice cream. But she knew it might cause inflammation in her healing hamstring. So, she chose frozen cherries and dark chocolate instead. It was sweet, it was cold, and it was packed with antioxidants.

You don't have to be perfect. You don't have to follow strict, miserable rules. Just try to make choices that nourish you and show your body some love. Don't let the 14-year-old version of you drive the car!

Easy Ways to Move Your Body Every Day

You don't need a gym membership to start moving. Here are two easy things you can do right now at home to fix your posture and lower your stress.

The 5-Breath Wall Test

Gravity and time pull us forward. We hunch over our phones and steering wheels. This causes back pain and makes us feel tired.

• Find a blank wall.

• Stand with your heels, hips, and shoulders touching the wall.

• Try to get the back of your head to touch the wall while keeping your chin level to the floor.

• Take five deep breaths.

Do this every time you walk down your hallway!

The Kitchen Sink Stretch

We love using the kitchen sink for squats, but Veronique gave us a new trick.

• Stand with your back to the sink.

• Reach behind you and hold the edge of the counter.

• Gently step forward to open up your chest and shoulders.

• Breathe deeply.

Try this while your morning coffee is brewing!

Gentleness is Not Weakness

We can be so hard on ourselves. We beat ourselves up for not exercising enough or eating the "wrong" thing. But being gentle with yourself is not a weakness. Think about holding a baby. You have to use intentional restraint to be gentle. You are strong enough to be gentle with yourself.

If you mess up, you can always hit the reset button. Take a warm shower, wash off the stress, and start again.

Links

You can find out more information about Veronique and her practice at yogawithveronique.com

She is on Instagram @VeroniqueOry

Her book Shine On and Off the Mat is available on Amazon.

If you need additional help or resources, please reach out to us at [email protected].

Until next time, take courage! You can do this, and we can help.

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