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How Yoga Can Improve Your Heart Health

yoga blog postOriginating in India thousands of years ago, the art of yoga continues to inspire people around the world today. Yoga is a meditative practice that uses physical postures and breathing techniques to enhance the mind, body, spirit connection. In addition to these benefits, yoga can also improve your heart health.

According to the American Heart Association, yoga can help lower blood pressure, increase lung capacity and improve blood circulation. It can also be a good form of stress management for those who have suffered from cardiac arrest, heart attack or other heart related events. After experiencing a traumatic event like this, some patients may develop anxiety or depression about their health. Yoga helps combat these feelings by managing the body’s stress response through its stretching and breathing techniques.

There are a plethora of yoga poses ranging from beginner to expert level. For those who are just getting started, try some of the below postures designed specifically for first-time yogis.

  • EASY POSEEasy pose. This pose helps strengthen your back and calm your mind as you begin your yoga session. Start by sitting with your legs crisscross on the floor. Make sure to sit up straight, but don’t overarch your back as this can interfere with your breathing. Rest your hands on your knees and slowly breathe in and out, concentrating only on the present moment. Hold this position until you feel ready to move on to the next pose.
  • COBRA POSECobra pose. This is a great stress relieving pose that also opens your heart muscle to promote better blood circulation. Position yourself on the ground where you are lying on your stomach. Pressing your palms on the ground underneath your shoulders, use your hands to slowly lift your chest off the floor. Hold the pose for 10 – 20 seconds, and then exhale as you lower yourself back down.
  • STANDING FORWARD BENDStanding forward bend. Another mind calming pose, the standing forward bend can help with depression, anxiety and even high blood pressure. Stand up straight with your hands on your hips. Exhale slowly as you bend forward, making sure to keep your knees straight. Hold the position for 30 seconds, taking a deep breath as you raise yourself back up.

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