Our Heart is one such organ that keeps working continuously even while we are resting or at sleep. This involuntary action is pivotal since it keeps us alive by pumping blood throughout the body. Nowadays, it’s quite clear that there is no age for having heart difficulties, even people in their 20’s are falling prey to some kind of cardiac problem. Sedentary lifestyle, dietary choices, stress, and anxiety are a few things that can disturb the normal functioning of the heart and can increase the risk of cardiovascular problems. Also Read: World Heart Day: 5 Simple Ways To Care For Your Heart
Though it may sound difficult, reforming your lifestyle by adding a few healthy habits, like good food choices and a few stretches and breathing exercises are bound to make you feel good and active. Here comes Yogasanas, an age-old traditional technique that brings your redemption. Also Read: Immunity Booster: These Yoga Postures Ensure Both Your Mental and Physical Wellbeing
Besides bestowing one with wisdom and philosophy, yoga is a relaxing combination of asanas, breathing techniques, and meditation that is the ultimate answer for most of the health anomalies. By improving breathing, yoga enhances heart health by normalising blood pressure, improving heart rate, diminishing bad cholesterol levels, and boosting blood circulation.
How Does Yoga Help Our Heart?
According to statistics and several researches, yoga plays a quintessential role in improving blood circulation and also significantly reduces blood cholesterol level and the accumulation of lipid build-up within the blood vessels thereby reducing the risk of atherosclerosis, heart attack, stroke, heart blockage etc. Although there are different styles of yoga like power yoga and vinyasa yoga, the ones which uplift the functions of the heart usually fall under the restorative yoga form that makes use of props like cushions and quilts to promote relaxation, thereby initiating your parasympathetic nervous system, which eventually stimulate other bodily processes like sleep, digestion, respiration, and tissue rejuvenation.
Practicing yogasanas’ on doctor’s advice is even beneficial after a cardiac event as it not only facilitates gradual recovery but also remedies other underlying symptoms like anxiety, stress, depression and insomnia.
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This article brings forth a few asanas that improve cardiac functioning and keeps carious heart problems at bay.
Tadasana (Mountain Pose):
Stand straight on the ground, with the heels touching each other and feet slightly apart. Keep the soles grounded at all times and your hands straight on either side. Look in the forward direction and hold this position for 5 minutes. Take a minute of break and repeat 3-4 times.
Benefits:
Being one of the easiest yoga postures, this is extremely helpful in upsurging breathing, relieving tension, and enhancing blood circulation. It also helps in strengthening the vertebral column and the heart. Practicing this asana regularly not only does increases the stamina and energy but also normalises blood pressure levels.
Vrikshasana (Tree Pose):
Stand straight on the floor. Bring both your arms in front of the chest and join the palms in a prayer position. Now keeping the palms joined, stretch both your arms upwards. Bend your right knee and place the sole of your right foot on the interior side of the left thigh. Keep your left leg straight and hold the position as long as you can. Relax for a minute and do it on the other side with the left foot. Repeat 5 times.
Benefits:
The Tree Pose has numerous benefits. Not only does it improve the spinal column and enhance both balance and poise but also expands the shoulders and opens the heart, making one feel confident and happy. Practicing this regularly improves blood circulation and keeps heart ailments at bay.
Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose):
Lie flat on your stomach and place your head on the ground. Keep both your hands on either side of your shoulders. Slowly, put pressure on your palms and lift your body up from the torso while stretching your back and belly muscles. Straighten out your arms and keep your shoulder blades pressed against your back. Fix gaze at a point on the ceiling and hold this posture for about 15-30 seconds and exhale as you return to the starting position.
Benefits:
One such pose that helps in relieving a lot of diseased conditions. The cobra pose not only helps in getting rid of belly fat but also stretches the chest cavity and invigorates the heart muscles.
Veerabhadrasana (Warrior pose):
Stand straight on the ground looking in the forward direction. Move your feet about 4 inches apart in the forward direction. Turn your left foot out by 90 degrees and right foot in by about 15 degrees. Lift both the arms sideways till it levels with the shoulders. While breathing out, bend your left knee. Slowly turn your head and look to the left. Keep breathing and stretch your hands further apart. Gently push your pelvis down and hold the posture with the determination of a warrior. Repeat with the other side with the right foot forward. Do it 3-4 times keeping a minute in between for relaxation.
Benefits:
The warrior pose improves balance in the body and increases stamina. It also relieves stress and enhances overall blood circulation. By keeping the heart rate at a check, it reduces the risks of arrhythmic conditions.
Ardha Matsyendrasana (Sitting Half Spinal Twist):
Sit straight with your legs stretched out and feet together. Bend your right leg and place the heel of your right foot beside your left hip. Now, take the left leg over your right knee. Place your right hand on your left foot and your left hand behind you. Twist the waist, shoulders, and neck to the left and look over the left side shoulder. Hold the position and continue breathing in and out gently. Slowly come back to the original starting position and repeat in the same manner on the other side.
Benefits:
The twisting of the upper side of the body works on the whole spine and opens the sides of the chest when performed on the left and right sides. It also stimulates the heart muscles, removes stiffness from the vertebral column, and normalises the pulse rate. Practising it regularly prevents cholesterol build-up in the blood and reduces the risk of heart attacks and heart blocks.