Yoga Techniques for Heart Health

By Sangeetha Saran

The connection between yogic practices and superior heart health has long been established. People who practice yoga training regularly live healthier lives and report fewer debilitating conditions. While in practical terms this superficial explanation is not enough to recommend yogic medicine for heart problems specifically, delving deeper into these benefits provides greater clarity on the subject.

The heart is the hub of the circulatory system. From the heart blood flows blood to and from every major organ in the body. Since hatha yoga directly influences the circulatory system in a beneficial way, certain asanas have a positive impact on the circulatory system.

One asana said to be particularly good for the heart is the Bow pose. In the Bow pose, a person lays prone on the ground and slowly lifts their feet over their head until their hands and feet finally meet. This is an advanced position that is only completed after many hours of practice. During even elementary attempts at this pose, the heart pumps blood fully throughout the body.

Another asana, which helps the heart, is the traditional Downward Facing Dog pose. Gurus as well as beginners know this pose. Less stressful than the Bow pose, Downward Facing Dog still places a considerable amount of energy into the heart and circulatory system.

Upward Facing Dog, the reverse of the downward position, simply completes the alternate half of Downward Facing Dog. Practicing both poses in a regular routine insures that all the necessary muscle groups are worked evenly, and that the benefit to the heart is distributed in a uniform matter.

Yoga poses from the very basic to the most advanced all provide benefits to the heart and circulatory system. As these benefits are cumulative, the gains made from these poses increases over time. Since yogic science is a therapeutic one that can be applied in almost any situation, anyone can attain these benefits.

Modern science makes a distinction between the heart as the center of the circulatory system and the mind as the seat of reason and logic. Yogic science is not as concerned with this distinction. What this means in yogic terms are that asanas designed to have an impact on the physical heart are also capable of affecting the body, intellect, and the emotions.

Conclusion

Current medical practice is coming around to this holistic approach, which has been adhered to by yoga practitioners for many generations. The line between the body and the mind becomes less distinct as medicine matures and begins to accept this as fact. Other forms of exercise also seem as uniquely capable of improving the heart, but jogging may not be the best of choices for skeletal health. Additionally, Yoga training is a healthy lifestyle based upon eating in moderation, avoiding physical self-abuse, reducing stress, and self-discipline.

© Copyright 2013 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

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Yoga Asana Safety for Students with Ailments

By Kimaya Singh

Yoga asana is one of the safest forms of exercise known to man. Yogic exercises are generally less risky in comparison to any other exercise, but there is still some risk involved. The low intensity nature of yoga makes it a safe fitness choice for millions of people. Individuals of all ages and health conditions can practice yoga without fear of pain or injury. Yet, students are largely dependent on the yoga school, style and teacher who guides them.

Variety and Choices

Asana practice can be therapeutic or taught in a hot room by someone who has been trained to show students no mercy. At the same time, asanas are visually inspiring. Watching these poses performed motivates many people to attempt to copy the poses that they have seen. While asanas seem simple, beneath the surface a great deal is going on. Although yoga training can be practiced alone, it is advisable to learn the asanas from an experienced teacher before attempting them in private.

Since there are many forms of yoga, some forms are more suitable for specific individuals than others. In order to completely eliminate the risk of injury when practicing yogic exercise, a suitable yogic style should be chosen. Based on the capability and limitations of the user, various yogic asanas can be chosen.

The quality of flexibility from yoga practice stems from the asanas, or yogic positions. There are hundreds of unique asanas. Each of these positions has various modifications and intensity levels. While some asanas may be harder to perform than others, any yogic posture can be altered so that it can be performed more easily.

Students with Ailments

For older individuals and people with existing health problems, it is advisable to choose a therapeutic style with a certified hatha yoga teacher who completely understands modifications, anatomy, biomechanics, contraindications and student safety. In this modified practice, the kinds of asanas, which are performed, are of a low stress and low intensity in their variety. During this restorative or therapeutic workout, more emphasis is placed on positions, which can be performed regardless of one's health conditions.

Although yogic postures are generally safe for all, people with pre-existing medical conditions should be particularly careful when practicing asanas. Individuals with heart problems, or conditions like high blood pressure, should be sure to seek out a competent yoga teacher to develop their routines. These people should avoid holding strenuous poses, stay out of hot rooms, and skip poses where the body is inverted for long periods of time. For the best results, people with pre-existing medical conditions should consult with their doctor before practicing asanas.

Purpose of Asana

Each yogic posture has its own specific purpose and intended use. While it is possible to receive benefits from performing asanas individually, the real power of the asanas comes from performing them as a part of their intended sequence. In order to learn these sequences properly, it is advisable to study the asanas and their proper alignments as taught by a skilled teacher, who completely understands asana safety and how to teach students with ailments.

© Copyright 2013 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

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