Yoga Benefits for Heart Health: Did you know that practising yoga regularly can do more than improve flexibility? It can strengthen your heart, improve circulation, and reduce stress. Cardiologist Dr. Bimal Chhajer from SAAOL Heart Centre highlights six key yoga poses that specifically support heart health, helping you stay strong and energetic.
Yoga Benefits: 6 Key Poses For Heart Health
1. Tadasana (Mountain Pose)
Tadasana is a foundational pose that improves posture and spinal alignment. By standing tall with feet together and arms at your sides, you engage your core and promote better circulation. This pose helps in reducing LDL (bad cholesterol) and increasing HDL (good cholesterol), contributing to overall heart health.
2. Vrikshasana (Tree Pose)
This balancing pose involves standing on one leg while the other foot rests on the inner thigh or calf of the standing leg. Vrikshasana enhances stability and strengthens the lower body. It also calms the mind, reduces stress, and improves heart rate variability, which is crucial for heart health.
3. Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)
Lying face down and lifting the chest upward, Bhujangasana stretches the spine and opens the chest. This pose increases lung capacity, improves oxygen intake, and stimulates the heart. Regular practice can help in controlling blood pressure and supporting heart function.
4. Veerbhadrasana (Warrior Pose)
Veerbhadrasana strengthens the legs, opens the hips, and stretches the chest and lungs. This dynamic pose boosts circulation and endurance, enhancing cardiovascular health. It also helps in improving posture and balance.
5. Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Lord of the Fishes Pose)
This seated twist massages the spine and stimulates abdominal organs. Ardha Matsyendrasana aids in detoxification, improves digestion, and enhances metabolic function. By promoting better blood flow, it indirectly supports heart health.
6. Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)
Dhanurasana involves lying on your stomach and lifting your chest and legs off the ground, holding your ankles. This backbend stretches the entire front of the body, strengthens the back, and stimulates the heart. While beneficial, it should be practiced cautiously, especially by those with existing heart conditions.
Integrating Yoga Into Daily Life
Incorporating these yoga poses into your daily routine can significantly benefit heart health. Dr. Chhajer recommends practising these poses regularly, along with maintaining a balanced diet and managing stress. He emphasises that yoga, combined with lifestyle changes, can be a potent strategy for preventing and managing heart disease.
Yoga offers a holistic approach to heart health, addressing both physical and mental well-being. By practising poses like Tadasana, Vrikshasana, Bhujangasana, Veerbhadrasana, Ardha Matsyendrasana, and Dhanurasana, you can enhance circulation, reduce stress, and strengthen the heart. Remember to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new exercise regimen, especially if you have existing health conditions.
Watch Dr. Bimal Chhajer’s video on yoga for heart health, included in the article!
