7 Yoga Asanas For Healthy Heart

It is estimated that more than 80 million people in India are at risk of cardiovascular diseases. You would be surprised to know that this is more than the population of the entire United Kingdom!

As you delve deeper into this alarming number, you will find that about 30% of our countrymen suffer from high cholesterol. And, 1 in every 5 young adults suffer from high blood pressure. These lifestyle diseases are major contributors to a great number of Indians suffering from heart ailments early on in their lives.

While Health Insurance for high blood pressure and Health Insurance for high cholesterol are a great step towards managing these lifestyle diseases, so are some lifestyle changes. For instance, regularly following certain breathing exercises and increasing the capacity of your lungs is a great way towards bringing your heart health back on track.

It is well known by now that two of the biggest contributors to poor heart health in India are high blood pressure and cholesterol. Cholesterol can be reduced by Yoga as well as high blood sugar. As India grows younger by the day, it is important to ensure healthy hearts across all age groups. In such a scenario, it is important to ensure that you diagnose these lifestyle diseases, to start off early management of the chronic diseases.

In recent years, many studies have been conducted that point towards the 5,000-year-old practice of Yoga as one of the exercises that complement with for a stronger heart. Yoga both as an exercise and a lifestyle choice has brought about greatly positive changes for heart patients.

Recently, the International Day of Yoga was celebrated on the 21^st of June 2019. In keeping with the spirit of healthy living, we bring to you a few ways in which the practice of Yoga benefits your heart health. Yoga and mindfulness go hand in hand as it is all about gaining power over and training your mind to focus on self-care to gain long-term benefits.

How These Yoga Asanas Help To Keep The Heart Healthy:

Improve your endocrine system and build your stamina Supta Padangusthasana.
Help you shift from a sedentary to an active lifestyle with desk Yoga asanas like Ardha Chakrasana and Ardha Katichakrasana.
Reduce your bad cholesterol and effectively remove toxins from your body as well as help you lose weight with the Pruthvi Mudra or the ‘Yo’ Mudra.
Strengthen your spine muscles and increase the flexibility of your body with Padangusthasana.
Relieve your stress and help you relax with Gaumukhasana.
Improve your nervous system and help you breathe better with Janu Sirsasana.
Lead to better breathing and improved blood circulation.

Function Of The Heart In The Body

The human body has a network of vessels that carries blood to all the organs. The blood carries the necessary nutrients and oxygen to keep our organs functioning properly. The function of the heart is to pump blood through these vessels so that every part of the body receives oxygen and nutrients. It is a strong muscle that practically keeps us alive.

Daily Habits That Are Harmful To The Heart

You need to avoid some habits that are harmful to the heart. These include:

Smoking
Heavy drinking
Eating out too frequently
Having a stressful lifestyle
Being inactive and avoiding exercise

Risks Of Heart Diseases

Here is a list of risk factors for heart disease:

Smoking
Drinking
Family history
Unchecked high blood pressure
Untreated diabetes
Obesity
Inactive lifestyle
Constant depression and stress
High cholesterol
Unhealthy diet

Which Yoga Poses Are The Best For Heart Health?

Vrikshasana

Known as the tree pose, this yoga asana for a healthy heart supports you in developing a balanced, strong posture. It opens up your heart and helps you lead a healthier, happier life.

Tadasana

This is yoga for heart health. This pose strengthens the heart and vertebral column. It also helps expand your lungs, as it involves deep breathing. Another name for this yoga is the mountain pose.

Trikonasana

This triangle poses yoga for good heart health is a great cardiovascular exercise. Apart from making the heart stronger, it will also improve your stamina.

Utthita hastapadasana

This pose improves your heart health by promoting weight control. To practice this pose, you have to extend your feet and hands. It also improves body balance.

Utkatasana

This posture, also known as chair pose, is another effective yoga asana for a healthy heart. It stimulates your heart and expands your chest. When practising this yoga posture, you will feel your respiration and heart rate increasing.

Veerabhadrasana

Practising this yoga to keep the heart healthy will lower your stress and improve blood circulation, which, in turn, will make your heart stronger. It also increases stamina and balance.

Marjariasana

Known as the cat pose, this yoga posture can improve blood circulation, leading to a healthier heart. It also helps settle the heart rate.

Apart from these yoga poses pranayamas for asthma can also help the elderly with critical illnesses. Now that you are aware of the many benefits of low-intensity Yoga for the heart, combine it with lifestyle changes and achieve good health to stay fit. Take a look at our blogs on health and fitness to gain more knowledge on wellness.