WEE CUMBRAE LIGHTS UP FOR WORLD DIABETES DAY - TRUST TO HOST 100,000 FREE YOGA CLASSES

The iconic 7th century castle keep on the Scottish Island of Wee Cumbrae will be lit up on the 14th November, joining other historical monuments and famous buildings around the world which will be illuminated in blue in recognition of World Diabetes Day.

The Wee Cumbrae castle illumination is being organised by the Patanjali Yog Peeth UK Trust, which is collaborating with the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), to raise awareness of the escalating health threat.

To coincide with World Diabetes Day, the Patanjali Yog Peeth UK Trust is hosting over 100,000 free yoga classes around the world to raise awareness of how practising yoga and promoting a healthy lifestyle can help prevent the disease. The charity is also airing messages of support and guidance on the Aastha network [Sky Channel 807 in UK] which is televised in 170 countries around the world, and promoting interactive online advice through its websites, www.pypt.org and www.weecumbrae.org

Diabetes currently affects more than 250 million people worldwide and it is the fourth leading cause of disease-related deaths around the world, with one person dying from diabetes-related complications every ten seconds. The IDF also estimates that an additional 300 million people worldwide are at risk from type 2 diabetes, which the organisation says can be prevented in the many cases by maintaining a healthy weight and take regular exercise.

Explaining how yoga can be beneficial in reducing the risk of developing and managing the chronic medical condition, Mr Sam Poddar, master yoga teacher for the Patanjali Yog Peeth UK Trust said, "Practising yoga and ‘pranayam’ otherwise known as breathing exercises is very effective in helping reduce blood sugar levels, reducing adrenalin and cortisol levels which increase blood glucose levels, and enhancing feelings of general wellbeing.

"Patanjali yoga is a very light form of exercise which focuses more on breathing and therefore it is suitable for people of all ages and abilities and its free. Our aim in supporting this campaign is to raise awareness of how yoga can help prevent and control Type 2 diabetes, and demonstrate that by adopting yoga into your daily routine you can make a significant difference to your life and those around you.”

Statistics from the WHO show that diabetes hits the poorest hardest. India has the highest number of people with diabetes, with 50.8 million people in the country now living with the disease and the Patanjali Yog Peeth Trust has been seeking to reverse this trend along by providing preventative advice, education and free medical consultations.

The Trust’s founders Swami Ramdevj Ji and Acharya Balkrishna Ji have established what is reputed to be the World’s largest Yog Institute in Hardwar in Northern India. As well as receiving free medical treatment, in the region of 6000 people travel from throughout India to attend Swami Ramdev Ji’s free daily yoga classes which are also televised to millions of viewers around the world.

"Swawi Ramdev Ji is bringing the benefits of yoga to poorer communities and the masses” said Mr Poddar. "And in doing so, he is helping to improve the general health of the world’s population and the spread of this pandemic.”