Yoga serves as a prominent remedy for ischemic heart disease (IHD) as this ancient Indian healing therapy provides a holistic approach to maintaining the health of your heart through mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Through the various yoga asanas, stress-reducing practices, and mindful breathing techniques, yoga helps an individual enhance cardiovascular function, thus helping to improve the overall health and functioning of the heart. Yoga is known as the finest therapy for Ischemic Heart Disease that can help healthcare workers in the proper and effective management of ischemic heart disease. This ancient Indian technique is well known for its prominent results and aids the recovery process of the human being.
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What is Ischemic heart disease or IHD and how Yoga is Effective in this situation?
Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is one of the major causes of mortality throughout the world and it is characterized by arterial blockage. This blockage of arteries leads to a reduction in the supply of blood to the heart and in turn results in heart attack and even heart failure. However, with the evolution of medical science, healthcare workers are provided with various techniques to counter this situation but the importance of Yoga in Ischemic heart disease still can’t neglected. Yoga helps in the effective prevention and management of IHD. The science of yoga offers a magnificent approach to improving the health of the heart and its arteries through breathing exercises, physical postures or asanas, and meditation techniques. This article 200 hour yoga teacher training in rishikesh helps you to about the benefits of yoga in IHD prevention and management.
Yoga for Physical Health
Yoga Asanas that comprise physical aspects of yoga include the process of strengthening, balancing, and stretching. The Yoga Asana process helps in improving the muscle strength, flexibility, and overall fitness of the body which plays a major role in countering ischemic heart disease. Various physical postures such as Bow Pose or Dhanurasana, Cobra Pose or Bhujangasana, Tadasana or Mountain Pose are effective in reducing blood pressure, relieving stress on the heart, and enhancing the circulation of blood.
Breathing Techniques
Yogic breathing exercises or Pranayama are very effective in the management and prevention of ischemic heart disease. Various deep breathing techniques such as Humming Bee Breath or Bhramari and Anulom Vilom or Alternate Nostril Breathing help in enhancing the oxygenation of tissues, promoting relaxation, and reducing stress. Breathing exercises in a controlled manner helps in regulating the heart rate variability and helps in improving the condition of the heart.
Stress Reduction and Mental Well-being
Chronic stress is the main reason for ischemic heart disease that contributes to inflammation, hypertension, and endothelial dysfunction. In Yoga, one can get various stress reduction techniques such as meditation, Pranayama, and other Mindfulness activities that reduce stress, and tension, and promote mental well-being. The daily practice of yoga is useful in improving your mood, enhancing stress resistance, and lowering cortisol levels which ultimately helps in lowering the risk of ischemic heart disease.
Mind-Body Connection
Yoga is known to be the best technique to build a connection between mind, body, and soul. Yoga helps in building awareness of the human senses, physiological processes, and emotions. The connection between mind, body, and soul helps in detecting ischemic heart disease in the early stages which helps in choosing a better lifestyle for the management of heart disease.
Precautions and Consultation
For people with severe cardiac conditions, it is advisable to approach any exercise with proper precautions and consultations. Before starting your yogic journey, you must consult your healthcare. However, yoga is a profound way to take care of the health of your heart, still one must consult their healthcare person. The yogic consultation is very effective in avoiding and delaying ischemic heart disease. It is recommended that you join yoga under certified yoga teacher training in Rishikesh only who have worked with the person with ischemic heart disease before.
Adaptability and Accessibility
Yoga is the practice of overall well-being that fits people of every gender, age, physical ability, and level of fitness. Whether you are doing yoga in your home, in nature, or the studio, the benefits of yoga in countering ischemic heart disease remain the same. One cannot neglect the importance and efficiency of yoga in fighting against ischemic heart disease most effectively. It is suitable and safe for all individuals, however you must consult your doctor before starting your practice. Not only is the ability of the heart, but it also provides a healthy and good life.
Yoga Poses for Ischemic Heart Disease
As we know Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is one of the most prominent health challenges in the world which is caused due to the reduction in blood supply to the heart. It is caused due to the blocked or narrowed arteries that block or lower the blood supply to the heart. This results in heart attack or even failure of the heart. Yoga poses or exercises are the finest way to control or manage Ischemic heart disease as it provide relaxation, balance, and stability to the body and heart. Yoga poses are known for controlling the blood flow supply to the heart and helps in cleaning the arteries.
Yoga also helps in managing the symptoms related to Ischemic heart disease. By including yoga practices in their daily routine, a person with Ischemic heart disease can reduce stress, enhance overall well-being, and improve blood circulation. There are certain yoga poses that help in the holistic management of Ischemic heart disease. These are:
Tadasana or Mountain Pose
Stand tall with feet hip-width apart.
Transfer the weight evenly on both feet and include the core muscle
Lift the arms overhead, palms facing each other.
This yoga pose enhances blood circulation, improves overall posture, and reduces the stress level of the person.
Sukhasana or Easy Pose
Sit comfortably with your legs crossed.
Put your hands on knee with your palms facing up
Relax the shoulders, lengthen the spine, and keep your eyes closed
Sukhasana helps reduce anxiety, provides relaxation, calms down your nervous system, and supports overall heart health.
Ardha Matsyendrasana
Sit with your legs extended in front
Bend your right knee and place your right foot outside the left thigh
Twist the torso to the right, bringing the left elbow to the outside of the right knee
Ardha Matsyendrasana yoga pose helps in improving digestion, maintaining the proper circulation of blood, and massaging abdominal organs helps in fighting against IHD
Setu Bandhasana or Bridge Pose
Lie on the back with knees bent and feet hip-width apart
Press into the feet and lift the hips toward the ceiling
Interlace fingers beneath the body and roll the shoulders underneath
Setu Bandhasana strengthens the back, opens the chest, and improves circulation, supporting heart health.
Marjaryasana-Bitilasana or Cat-Cow Pose
Start on hands and knees with wrists aligned under shoulders and knees under hips.
Inhale, arch the back, and lift the head and tailbone (Cow Pose).
Exhale, round the back, tuck the chin to the chest, and draw the belly button towards the spine (Cat Pose).
Cat-Cow Pose improves spinal flexibility, massages the heart, and enhances breath awareness, beneficial for individuals with IHD.
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