Yoga for Wellness: Supporting People Living with HIV & NCDs

Mona Balani 25 June, 2025

As the world recently celebrated International Yoga Day on June 21, it’s an apt moment to reflect on how this ancient practice continues to transform lives, especially for people living with HIV (PLHIV) and those managing non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Numerous studies published in journals such as The Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research and BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies have highlighted the positive impact of yoga on physical, mental, and emotional health. These benefits are especially relevant for individuals facing chronic health conditions.

I recall a day from 2006, when I was working at a Drop-In Centre (DIC) as a peer counsellor. We frequently organised support group meetings, often inviting resource persons to share their expertise. One day, a yoga professional conducted a session. That’s when I first learned Surya Namaskar, Anulom Vilom, and several other asanas. The experience was transformative. Motivated by its impact, our community began practicing yoga everyday. After three months of consistent sessions, I was trained as a yoga facilitator and began leading daily morning sessions for PLHIV visiting the DIC. For many, it worked like a miracle, improving not only physical health but also emotional resilience.

In today’s world, where chronic health conditions are a daily reality for millions, yoga offers a holistic path to wellness. For PLHIV and individuals dealing with NCDs, yoga provides more than just physical benefits—it nurtures the body, mind, and spirit.

Why Yoga Matters for PLHIV and NCD Communities

Living with HIV or an NCD is not just about managing a diagnosis; it’s about navigating a new lifestyle. Regular medications, medical appointments, and societal stigma often leave little room for emotional well-being and self-care. Yoga fills this gap.

Yoga supports physical health by:

• Boosting immunity: Regular practice enhances blood circulation and strengthens immune responses, crucial for PLHIV and others with compromised immunity.
• Reducing inflammation: Yoga has been shown to lower inflammatory markers, benefiting those with conditions like arthritis, cardiovascular disease, or diabetes.
• Improving flexibility and strength: Asanas counteract fatigue and muscle weakness, often caused by illness or long-term medication.
• Enhancing digestion and metabolism: Many yoga postures stimulate internal organs and support metabolism, aiding individuals with gastrointestinal or metabolic disorders.

Supporting Mental and Emotional Well-being

Stress, anxiety, depression, and internalised stigma are common among both PLHIV and those with NCDs. Yoga offers powerful tools to address these challenges:

• Mental clarity and emotional balance: Pranayama (breathing exercises) and meditation techniques help reduce stress and stabilise emotions.
• Improved sleep quality: Mindfulness and relaxation practices promote deeper, more restful sleep.

• Greater self-acceptance: Yoga fosters compassion and self-love, important for those dealing with trauma, shame, or fear.

A Tool for Community Empowerment

Yoga can be a powerful community-based intervention. Group sessions offer safe, stigma-free environments where people can heal together. These spaces foster peer support, encourage routine and discipline, and offer alternative paths to resilience and wellness beyond medical care.

Yoga is Accessible and Inclusive

Yoga doesn’t require costly equipment or memberships. It can be practiced anywhere, at home, in clinics, or in community settings, and adapted for all ages and fitness levels. With the help of trained community instructors, even individuals with limited mobility can benefit through modified forms such as chair yoga or gentle stretches.

Yoga is a powerful companion to medical treatment. For those living with HIV or chronic conditions, it offers peace, self-care, and strength. It reminds us that healing is not just physical, but deeply emotional and spiritual too.

Inhale courage. Exhale fear. Heal with every breath.