Contrary to popular belief, your age does not determine the health of your heart. Even people in their 20s fall prey to heart attacks as the stress of modern living gets to them sooner or later. Skipping meals and substituting them with junk foods that provide little to no nutrition also worsen the condition of your heart. There are quite a few things you can do to preserve the health of your heart and to cure many of its ailments. You can, for instance, incorporate yoga into your daily routine. It is the art of relaxing your mind and body in different postures while focusing on your breathing. As a result, yoga benefits your respiratory system, which in turn affects your heart. By practicing yoga regularly, you will be able to manage your blood pressure, increase your lung capacity, improve your heart rate, boost blood circulation, and lower your bad cholesterol levels. It is also a great way to deal with stress, which becomes a part of your life if you are dealing with heart disease. Here are some of the yoga asanas that rejuvenate your body and improve the health of your heart.
1. Utthita Hastapadasana (Extended Hands And Feet Pose)
For this pose, stand in Tadasana pose and extend your arms and legs outward as much as you can. Do not bend your knees or elbows. This pose improves your balance and your ability to focus. It controls your weight and boosts the health of your heart.
2. Trikonasana (Triangle Pose)
Stand upright and place your legs about 3 to 4 feet apart. Your right foot should face outward at a 90-degree angle and your left foot should be at a 15-degree angle. Your feet should be placed firmly on the ground and the weight of your body should be balanced on both feet. Touch the floor with your right palm, while stretching your left arm toward the ceiling. Look at your left palm and stretch to the fullest while focusing on stabilizing your body. This pose promotes cardiovascular exercise and increases stamina.
3. Veerabhadrasana (Warrior pose)
Stand with your feet hip-distance apart and place your arms at your sides. Exhale and extend your feet 4 to 5 feet apart. Lift both arms sideways at shoulder height. Bend your right knee at a 90-degree angle. Turn your head and look right. Keep your left leg straight and make a gentle effort to push your pelvis down. Come back to the original position and repeat the posture for the left side. This pose improves your balance, increases your stamina, improves blood circulation, and releases stress. It also helps to keep your heart rate in check.
4. Utkatasana (Chair Pose)
Stand with your feet slightly apart and stretch your hands in front with your palms facing down. Bend your knee and push your pelvis down as though you are sitting on an imaginary chair. Extend your arms over your head, stretch your spine, and press your palms together. This pose will increase your heart rate and your respiration rate. It stretches your chest and stimulates your heart.
5. Adho Mukho Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog Pose)
Come onto your fours. Lift your hips up, straightening the knees and elbows to form an inverted V-shape with your body. Your hands should be shoulder width apart and your feet should be hip width apart. Your toes should point straight ahead. Hold the pose and look to your navel. Bend your knees, relax, and return to the initial position. This pose increases your lung capacity and strengthens the chest muscles.
6. Paschimottanasana (Two Legged Forward Bend Pose)
Sit upright with your legs stretched out straight in front of you. Raise both arms above your head and bend forward from the hip joints. Stretch your arms and let them reach the furthest they can, possible till your toes. This posture brings your head lower than your heart, thus helps reduce your heart rate and respiration rate and allows your entire body to relax.
