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According to the American Heart Association, coronary
heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the
United States, causing about 1.5 million heart attacks each year. Recent
research has shown yoga and meditation to reduce blood pressure, lower the
pulse rate, improve the elasticity of the arteries, regulate heart rhythm, and
increase the heart’s stroke volume. Yoga, in short, is good for your
heart.
Stress is considered a major contributing factor in heart
disease. Stressful situations raise your heart rate and blood pressure, and
release stress hormones, which all can injure the heart and the blood vessels,
especially during prolonged or repeated exposures. Yoga is widely known for its
ability to reduce stress and promote a calm relaxed state, which in turn
reduces stress hormones, decreases the heart rate and lowers blood pressure,
helping to control and prevent heart disease.
The breath has
a strong influence on the rhythm of the heart through the inner connections in
the central nervous system. Slow deep breathing is encouraged by hatha yoga,
pranayama (yogic breathing exercises) and verbal recitation of mantras.
And this smoothing and lengthening of the breath slows the heart rate, regulates
the heart rhythm, oxygenates the blood, and induces a feeling of calm and
well-being. All of the benefits of establishing a slow steady breath rhythm
have been shown to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Because of
their effects on both the physical and energetic bodies, specific types of yoga
postures can be used to control and prevent heart disease. Upper
back-bending poses open the chest to improve heart function and
respiration. Side-bending poses open the energy channels of the liver,
gallbladder and heart to help remove physical and energetic blockages in the
heart and chest. Spine lengthening poses promote good posture to reduce
compression on the heart and lungs and to facilitate proper functioning of the
heart. Shavasana (corpse or relaxation pose) is deeply calming and has
been shown to reduce high blood pressure in just a few weeks. Inversions
help to rest the heart muscle and improve blood circulation, but are
contraindicated with unmedicated high blood pressure. Findings show that people
who practice yoga and meditation at least three times a week may reduce their
blood pressure, pulse and their overall risk of heart disease.
Meditation is
renowned for its ability to calm the mind and reduce stress. It also can
reduce heart-harmful emotions, such as anxiety, hostility and
hopelessness. And studies have shown that a daily meditation practice can
reduce the amount of fatty deposits in the arteries, as well as lower blood
pressure.
Practicing yoga naturally leads one to
choose a healthier lifestyle, which most often eliminates or minimizes heart
disease’s dietary risk factors of refined sugar, alcohol, high cholesterol and
fat rich foods, and caffeine.
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