5 yoga asanas that are good for your heart

Your heart loves movement, and what better way to serve it than through mindful, rhythmic yoga? Your heart is a hard worker. Imagine beating 100,000 times in one day! Keeping your heart strong and healthy is important, and yoga is a powerful path. Yoga may help lower blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood glucose levels, all of which contribute to a healthy heart. Here are five yoga asanas that can give your heart the care it deserves.

Tadasana, also known as the mountain pose, is good for your heart. To practice this pose, stand tall with feet together, arms relaxed at your sides, and spine elongated. This pose includes deep diaphragmatic breathing. Bring your palms together and interlock them. Now inhale, and stretch your arms up, facing downwards. You can practice this for 1-2 minutes daily.

Utkatasana, aka the chair pose, can improve respiration, which in turn improves circulation and heart health. Start with the Tadasana pose, now slowly bend your hips backward like sitting on a chair. Next, raise your hands. Don’t stress, soften your shoulders, and touch your ears. Hold this pose for 5-10 breaths. If possible, you should stretch. Now slowly return to the initial position.

Also known as the tree pose, this is an easy asana that is linked to improved posture, better stability, and also works on your core. This pose is just as easy as the mountain pose, but elevates heart rate by engaging the core and lower body. Stand in Tadasana, and now shift your weight onto one foot. Place the sole of the other foot on your thigh. Bend your knee outward, now raise your arms above your head into a 'Namaste' pose.

Also known as the bridge pose, this yoga move opens the chest and improves blood flow. To practise this, lie on your back with your knees bent. Now lift the hips while pressing into your feet and shoulders. Practice for 3 to 5 times a day, depending on your fitness level.

This seated forward pose is good for the heart, but requires flexibility to practice. Sit down with your legs joined. Now place your arms by your hips and stretch forward from your waist. It is time to engage your lower abdominal muscles and try to touch your stomach to the top of your thighs. Go as far as you can, and hold the pose for 8-10 breaths, and then release. This forward bend eases anxiety and stress, both closely linked to better heart health.