Globally, heart disease is the leading cause of death, especially in developing countries. The scriptures say that the heart holds an important position in the human system. As it pumps blood throughout the body, the heart is not just one of the most important organs of the cardiovascular system, but is also considered the center of the body. The heart is believed to be the seat of divinity in all religious systems. According to scientific evidence, yoga appears to have the potential to improve a variety of cardiovascular disease risk factors such as stress, depression, and hypertension as well as positively impacting a number of biological risk factors, including hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes.
A major component of yoga practice is adopting and maintaining specific body postures and breathing techniques. Yoga is even recommended by the British Heart Foundation for people with heart disease. There are few yoga poses recommended for heart health. Utthita trikonasana or extended triangle pose helps to maintain a healthy heart by reducing stress. The Sanskrit words “utthita” mean extended, “trikona” mean triangle, and “asana” mean pose. Ardha Chakrasana, or standing backward bend, improves heart function and regulates blood pressure. This pose is also important for strengthening the back and abdominal muscles.
Uttanasana, or standing forward bend, challenges your heart to regulate blood flow. Janu Sirsasana, or head to knee forward bend, helps in heart rate reduction. Dhanurasan, or bow pose, will strengthen the heart region. Asana Bhujangasana, or cobra pose, helps to energize the heart-lung passages and stimulate the flow of blood. Setu bandhasana, or bridge pose, opens up the chest and serves as a therapeutic method for people with high blood pressure. Pranayama improves blood circulation and removes artery blockage.
The Anahata Chakra, also known as the heart chakra, is one of seven chakras. The Sanskrit word for the heart chakra, Anahata, literally means “unhurt,” implying that there is a source of wholeness, boundless love, and compassion hidden behind our stories of brokenness and pain. This chakra rests at the center of the chakra system, at the core of our spirit. Harmony and peace can be attained through the heart chakra. Having a strong heart is a testament to the quality and power of love in our lives.
Heart is typically higher than head in many backbends poses. Allowing the mind to drop from the top position and focusing instead on the heart is a pleasing experience. Forward bends are the best antidote for co-dependency, possessiveness, jealousy, heart disease, and high blood pressure, because they are grounding and foster introspection.
Many mudras have been developed by our sages to avoid disease and lessen its effects. Our fingers are used to create these Mudras. It is hand gesture yoga exercises that direct the flow of energy in a certain manner to balance the vital body elements. Yoga philosophy states that the human body is composed of five elements, which correspond to the five fingers of the hands: water, fire, air, earth and space.
According to Acharya Keshav Dev, the author of the book, Mudra for Healing: A way of Life, Apana Vayu mudra acts as an antidote to heart attack and other heart related emergencies. It saves precious human lives during cardiac arrest by relaxing and widening the blood vessels for better flow of blood. It works very fast. It can help the patient to pull back and relieve the symptoms within just 3 seconds. It works as good as Sorbitrate tablet during critical moments. Apana Vayu mudra is considered as a one for all type yoga mudra for various heart problems, including high blood pressure, breathing difficulties, angina pectoris, heart attack, and heart failure. Spend 15 minutes a day increasing it to 45 minutes a day once you get comfortable with it. It could be done three times daily for 15 minutes each
Improve your heart health by practicing yoga daily.
Puspadevi Armugham
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