Author:- Mr. Ritesh Sharma
In the hustle and bustle of life, stress has been inevitably putting strain on the heart. To steer clear of stress yoga is a great option. However, one must wonder which Yoga is best for the heart. While improving physical health through exercise and a good diet can substantially enhance your mental health, to take care of even more Yoga is a must. Techniques like yoga and meditation have been practiced a lot by people who are involved in the corporate world or anyone remotely stressed about anything.
Since Yoga is slowly but surely becoming an integral part of our lives, we might as well examine which yoga is best for the heart. To do so, we present this blog. Here, we will discuss the substantial impact of yoga on heart health and which Yoga practices will benefit your heart the most. So, delve into the world of Yoga and uncover some empowering insights that would benefit your heart in every possible way.
Understanding the Role of Yoga in Heart Health
Before delving into the conundrum of which Yoga is best for the heart, let us try to understand why yoga benefits the heart so much. Yoga is not just a physical exercise, it encompasses a holistic approach to well-being that addresses the body, mind, and spirit. There are many yoga practices that contribute to relaxation, stress reduction, and mindfulness. Hence, it doesn’t let the aforementioned risk factors contribute to heart problems.
Furthermore, research has shown that yoga can help lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol levels, improve blood circulation, and enhance overall cardiovascular function. Therefore, it doesn’t let your heart receive any kind of strain which leads to the heart pumping blood with more force leading to heart palpitations and cardiac arrhythmias of different arrhythmia classifications.
Apart from all this, yoga has been found to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the body, both of which are implicated in the development of heart disease. By promoting relaxation and reducing the body’s stress response, yoga can also contribute to better heart health outcomes.
Which Yoga is Best for the Heart?
Now, let’s explore different styles of yoga that can benefit your heart health. These styles include hatha yoga, vinyasa yoga, restorative yoga, and kundalini yoga. All these yoga styles enhance your cardiovascular health in different ways. We shall try to get a detailed look into all these practises of yoga below.
Hatha Yoga
If we speak of the traditional forms of Yoga, hatha yoga is very highly revered. Not only this, but this Yoga also serves as the foundation for many modern yoga styles. The main motive of this Yoga practice is to find the balance between the body and the mind. For this, it focuses on physical postures (asanas) and breath control (pranayama). This style of yoga is easily accessible in its approach and extremely gentle. Therefore, it is suitable for individuals of all fitness levels.
If we speak of its benefits on heart health, the gentle stretching and controlled breathing techniques practiced in Hatha yoga can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve circulation. Through this yoga practice, individuals can evoke a sense of calmness and relaxation in them that supports heart health.
Vinyasa Yoga
This yoga is often referred to as flow yoga. It involves a dynamic and fluid sequence of poses coordinated with breath. The main focus of this yoga practice is to link movement with breathing so that there is a constant flow of energy throughout the body. Vinyasa yoga is often high-intensity exercise and is mainly done to strengthen the cardiovascular system and improve the endurance of the heart.
There are rhythmic breathing patterns in this type of yoga. This helps in increasing the volume of oxygenated blood in the body. Therefore, less and less strain is put on the heart. Apart from this, the dynamic nature of this exercise makes it fitting for increasing heart rate variability which gauges cardiovascular health.
Restorative Yoga
Restorative Yoga veers away from the conventional Yoga style. In this type of Yoga, a passive approach is focused on relaxation and rejuvenation. In this, people typically hold supported poses for extended periods, allowing the body to release tension and stress gradually. This type of yoga is uniquely tailored to people who have experienced chronic stress or the ones recovering from any kind of illness or injury.
From the perspective of heart health, restorative yoga activates the parasympathetic nervous system of humans. The activation of the parasympathetic nervous system promotes rest and digestion, enhancing the heart health of the practitioners.
Kundalini Yoga
This yoga practice is an amalgamation of dynamic and spiritual approaches towards yoga. It is a combination of physical postures, breathwork, chanting, and meditation to awaken the dormant energy at the base of the spine (kundalini). The main aim of this yoga practice is to balance the energy centers aka chakras and stimulate the flow of life force aka prana throughout the body.
If we speak of this yoga practice from cardiovascular perspective, then it focuses on breathwork and movement can help improve circulation, balance the autonomic nervous system, and reduce stress levels.
In conclusion, there is no definitive answer to the question of which yoga is best for the heart. There are different yoga practices that enhance heart health in different ways. The combination of hatha yoga, vinyasa yoga, restorative yoga, and kundalini yoga will ensure the optimal state of your cardiovascular health. However, before opting for any yoga practice for heart health, you must consult your healthcare professional, especially if you have any pre-existing heart condition.
Ultimately, the key is to find a yoga practice that resonates with you and fits your lifestyle. By committing to a regular yoga practice and combining it with other healthy habits such as a balanced diet and regular exercise, you can support your heart health and cultivate a greater sense of vitality and harmony in your life.