Yoga Poses for Heart Disease

Published on February 3, 2009

Because of their effects on both the physical and energetic bodies, specific types of yoga postures can be used to control and prevent heart disease.

Upper back-bending poses open the chest to improve heart function and respiration. Side-bending poses open the energy channels of the liver, gallbladder and heart to help remove physical and energetic blockages in the heart and chest. Spine lengthening poses promote good posture to reduce compression on the heart and lungs and to facilitate proper functioning of the heart. Shavasana (corpse or relaxation pose) is deeply calming and has been shown to reduce high blood pressure in just a few weeks, and other calming restorative poses will also help reduce stress and blood pressure. Inversions help to rest the heart muscle and improve blood circulation, but are contraindicated with unmedicated high blood pressure.

Click on an image or posture name for detailed instructions, contraindications and modifications.

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One response to “Yoga Poses for Heart Disease”

  1. jagmohan Avatar
    jagmohan

    I like to know yoga posture for heat

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Timothy Burgin Avatar
About the author
Timothy Burgin is a Kripalu & Pranakriya trained yoga instructor living and teaching in Asheville, NC. Timothy has studied and taught many styles of yoga and has completed a 500-hour Advanced Pranakriya Yoga training. Timothy has been serving as the Executive Director of YogaBasics.com since 2000. He has authored two yoga books and has written over 500 articles on the practice and philosophy of yoga. Timothy is also the creator of Japa Mala Beads and has been designing and importing mala beads since 2004.
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