5 Yoga Poses for Heart Health 

Yoga is beneficial for many reasons when it comes to overall health. Although it is typically known for increased flexibility and balance it also can also improve cardiovascular health by increasing blood flow and circulation resulting in lowering blood pressure, blood glucose levels, cholesterol and heart rate- which then lowers the risk of heart disease, strokes and hypertension. Try these yoga poses to target heart health! 

1. Bridge Pose: Lay down on your back, put the soles of your feet on the floor about hip width distance, press into the bottoms of the feet while you lift the hips towards the ceiling, continue to press the back of your head and shoulders into the ground beneath you and allow your arms to lay by your side. This pose can be therapeutic for someone with high blood pressure. Pause here for 3-5 full breaths.

2. Child's Pose: Begin by kneeling on the floor in a table top pose (all fours) bring your big toes to touch and bring your knees a bit wider than hip width distance, then bring your sits bones to rest on your heels as you draw your chest towards the floor and then relax your forehead and arms on your yoga mat. This pose is great for stretching the hips, low back as well as relaxing the mind and reducing stress. Pause here for 5-10 full breaths. 

3. Legs Up The Wall: Lie on your back and bring both legs up the wall so your heels can relax on the wall, if you aren’t near a wall just lie on your back and bring your feet towards the ceiling allowing the legs to float in the air. This pose is recirculating blood back to the heart allowing your body to meet a deep relaxation. This pose is great to do before bed. Pause here for 5-10 full breaths. 

4. Supine Spinal Twist: Start by laying on your back and hug your right knee in towards the chest, allow the left leg to stay long and relaxed to the floor, take a big breath in and as your breath out draw your right knee across your chest coming into a twist. This pose is good for releasing tension in the spine, allowing the nervous system to settle.  Pause here for 5-10 breaths and then repeat on the second side.

5. Easy Seat: Find a comfortable seat, you can sit on a folded blanket, pillow or somewhere on the floor with the back resting on the wall. You’ll lengthen through the spine and then draw the shoulers away from the ears. You can close your eyes down or pick something to stare at. Bring the hands on your thighs and turn your palms up to face the ceiling, from here begin to take full deep breaths, focusing fully on the breath. This pose is great for reducing stress and tapping into a deep relaxation. Stay here for 3-5 minutes.