Heart is a beautifully designed machine which beats about 2.5 billion times over the average lifetime, pushing millions of gallons of blood to every part of the body. This steady flow carries with it oxygen, fuel, hormones, other compounds, and a host of essential cells. It also whisks away the waste products of metabolism. When the heart stops, essential functions fail, some almost instantly.

Given the heart’s never-ending workload, it’s a wonder it performs so well, for so long, for so many people. But it can also fail, brought down by a poor diet and lack of exercise, smoking, infection, unlucky genes, and more.

Today, there is no age factor that determines heart ailments. People in their 20’s are falling prey to heart attacks. This generation is moving so fast into adulthood that they feel the whole world rests on their shoulders.

Stress levels in general have reached peak levels. One of the biggest reasons for this is media and internet. Youngsters, professionals and other tech savvy people are continuously bombarded with acceptable norms of style, looks and other scales of being successful. If you do not fall in this bracket you are not the cool kid.

All these factors combined is putting our health at risk and increasing chronic heart problems. Hence it is imperative that we understand what impacts our heart adversely and take steps towards a healthy lifestyle.

For a long time now, medical experts have suggested, regular practice of Yoga is good for a healthy heart. Since it is known to relax the mind and body, Yoga is often seen as the ideal solution to reduce stress, anxiety and depression.

Here are some simple and effective yoga asanas for a healthy heart:

1. Mountain Pose (Tadasana) – The mountain pose helps strengthen the vertebral column and the heart. The deep breathing involved also expands the lungs.
   
   How to do it:
   • Stand straight with your feet together and keep your back straight
   • Now, bring your palms together and interlock them
   • Inhale and stretch your arms up with your palms facing downward
   • Hold for around 5-10 seconds and repeat 1-2 times
     
     
2. Chair Pose (Utkatasana) – In the chair pose, you can feel the heart and respiration rate increase. This posture stretches the chest and stimulates the heart.
   
   How to do it:
   • You can start with the Tadasana and slowly bend your knees and move your hips backwards as if you are sitting on a chair
   • Now, raise your hands upwards. Touch the ears and soften the shoulders
   • Hold the pose for 5-10 breaths and try stretching upwards if possible
     
     
3. Tree Pose (Vrksasana) – The tree pose helps in developing a firm and balanced posture. It broadens the shoulders and opens the heart, making one feel confident and happy.
   
   How to do it:
   • Stand straight and place your arms at the side of the body
   • Bend your right knee while lifting your right leg
   • Place it on the inner thigh of your left leg
   • Now, raise your arms over your head into a ‘namaste’
   • Keep your back straight and hold this position for a few breaths
   • Exhale and return to the initial position
   • Repeat the same process with your other leg
     
     
4. Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) – This yoga pose is known to improve balance and offers various calming benefits as well. The Adho Mukho Svanasana involves your shoulders, knees and may be one of the best yoga poses for heart blockage.
   
   How to do it:
   • Get on all fours and place your wrists under the shoulders and knees under the hips
   • Lift your hips off the floor and push them back towards your heels
   • You can try to straighten your legs while pushing your hips back
   • Now, press through your palms and rotate your inner elbows towards each other
   • Keep your legs engaged and hollow out your abdominals
   • Hold for 5-8 breaths and then release
     
     
5. Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana) – This pose facilitates deep breathing. It stretches the spine and the chest. It also improves blood flow to the chest region.
   
   How to do it:
   • Lie down on your back and place your feet wide apart
   • Now, press down your feet firmly and lift your buttocks off the mat
   • You can place your arms to the side with your palms facing down
   • Push your hips upwards, hold for 3-4 breaths and release
     

Conclusion

Yoga is a group of physical and mental practices that can be included in your daily life without making any drastic changes in your routine. Start your practice today with expert trainers at BeZiva.com.

While Yoga will help you create a disciplined mind and a strong body, it is also important to focus on your diet. Eat food which is fresh, organic and served in right quantities. Overeating, junk and instant food has no nutrient value. Learn what works for your body and build on it, for a blissful and stress-free living.