Stress is causing even young people to fall victim to heart attacks. Regular yoga asanas like Tadasana, Marjaryasana, Trikonasana, Virabhadrasana, and Utkatasana strengthen the heart muscles, improve blood circulation, and reduce mental stress.
Yoga for Heart: In today's fast-paced life and changing lifestyles, heart diseases are no longer limited to the elderly. Due to increasing work pressure, an unbalanced diet, and mental stress, young people and adolescents are also falling prey to heart disease. Recent research has revealed that cases of heart attacks at a young age have doubled. In such a situation, it is very important to adopt some easy and effective measures in time. Among these, the most effective measure is yoga.
Yoga not only helps in keeping the body fit, but it also reduces mental stress, which is considered a major cause of heart attacks. Practicing yoga improves heart function, balances blood circulation, increases oxygen supply, and reduces stiffness of the nerves. Regular yoga keeps both the body and mind healthy, which significantly reduces the risk of heart diseases.
Yoga and Heart Health
Yoga activates the body's muscles and internal organs. It improves blood flow, ensuring oxygen supply to the heart. Along with reducing stress and anxiety, it also helps in controlling blood pressure and cholesterol. Therefore, for young people, yoga is not just an exercise but a natural way to protect the heart.
Below are some easy and effective yoga asanas that can help keep the heart healthy with regular practice.
1. Tadasana
Tadasana is a simple but very effective yoga asana. It is performed standing and helps in increasing body height and improving balance.
Benefits:
- Activates the chest and shoulder muscles.
- Improves blood circulation.
- Increases oxygen supply to the heart.
- Reduces mental stress.
How to do it:
- Stand straight and raise both hands above.
- Take a deep breath and stretch the body completely.
- Stay in this position for 20-30 seconds and slowly bring your hands down.
2. Marjaryasana
Marjaryasana, or the cat pose, helps in making the spine flexible. It helps in reducing obesity and body fat, which is a major cause of heart diseases.
Benefits:
- Makes the spine flexible.
- Reduces obesity.
- Reduces stress and anxiety.
How to do it:
- Come onto the ground on your hands and knees.
- While exhaling, arch your back upwards and lower your head.
- While inhaling, lower your back and raise your head upwards.
- Repeat this 10-15 times.
3. Trikonasana
Trikonasana activates many major muscles of the body. It has a positive effect on the spine, thighs, knees, and chest.
Benefits:
- Improves blood circulation.
- Reduces mental stress and anxiety.
- Strengthens the heart muscles.
How to do it:
- Stand with your feet spread apart.
- Bend your right hand towards the direction of your foot and raise your left hand up.
- Stay in this position for a few seconds and then repeat in the opposite direction.
4. Virabhadrasana
Virabhadrasana increases the body's strength and flexibility. It improves blood circulation to the heart and reduces the possibility of blockages in the veins.
Benefits:
- Strengthens the chest, shoulder, and thigh muscles.
- Improves blood flow.
- Reduces the risk of heart disease.
How to do it:
- Keep one leg forward and one leg back.
- Raise both hands upwards and keep your gaze forward.
- Stay in this position for 30 seconds and then repeat by changing legs.
5. Utkatasana
Utkatasana strengthens the shoulders, back, and legs. It speeds up blood circulation and reduces the possibility of blockages in the chest.
Benefits:
- Helpful in burning calories.
- Strengthens the heart and lungs.
- Increases body strength and flexibility.
- How to do it:
- Keep your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Bend your knees and raise your hands up.
- Stay in this position for 20-30 seconds and slowly return to the normal position.
The risk of heart attacks at a young age is increasing rapidly, but by adopting yoga in time, it can be reduced to a great extent. Easy yoga asanas like Tadasana, Marjaryasana, Trikonasana, Virabhadrasana, and Utkatasana not only keep the heart healthy but also increase body strength, flexibility, and mental peace.
