Diabetes mellitus has reached epidemic proportions worldwide as we enter the new millennium. WHO has commented there is ‘an apparent epidemic of diabetes, which is strongly related to lifestyle and economic change’. Diabetes represents a spectrum of metabolic disorders, which has become a major health challenge worldwide now-a-days. The unprecedented economic development and rapid urbanization in Asian countries, particularly in India, China and Sri Lanka has led to a shift in health problems from communicable to non-communicable diseases. Of all the non-communicable diseases, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases lead the list. Yoga being an ancient and eternal science, having its different approaches including spiritual, therapeutic and developmental. However, the underlying premise of mind–body exercise modalities like yoga is that the physiological state of the body can affect emotions, thoughts, and attitudes, which in turn have a reciprocal effect on the body. The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive overview of the situation regarding yoga for diabetes mellitus, and explore the possible strategies that could be effective in combating the spread and focus on human being for healthy life. Various Medical researches approve yoga therapy as effective complementary therapy for several common ailments. Hence it has been concluded that Yoga cannot “cure” diabetes, but there are several ways yoga can be beneficial in controlling diabetes. Due to the potential impact glucose levels, and overall body function, regular practice of yoga may prevent and control the status of diabetes mellitus and produce optimum healthy population.

Keywords: Yoga; Diabetes Mellitus; Ayurveda.