Yoga is a type of mind-body alternative medicine practice. One of the core components of yoga is to relax your body and teach you how to deal with stress and anxiety through breathing, poses and stretching exercises. Yoga can be especially helpful for your heart health. This low-impact exercise can reduce your risk of certain types of chronic illness and promote physical activity.
Significance
Keeping your heart healthy takes more than just following a healthy diet. You need to reduce stress and get your daily amount of recommended exercise. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that healthy adults get up to 30 minutes of cardio each day up to five days a week to maintain health. Yoga can be a part of your daily exercise. Yoga uses poses or postures as ways to promote flexibility, but they also help you control you breathing, which can lower stress levels, reduce blood pressure and promote a healthier, more relaxed heart.
Types
There are several different types of yoga poses along with methodology. Yoga Journal shares some of the most common, including core, standing, seated and twist, arm balances, back bends, inversions and restorative poses. These poses may help with your heart health because they also increase fitness levels by improving your balance, muscle strength and range of motion. This can also help you as you take on more intense cardio activities by making your heart stronger and reducing your risk of injury.
Benefits
Yoga can help you reduce weight by being more physically active. Keeping your weight in a normal range will help keep your heart working its best. It is easier on your joints than many intense cardio exercises. Yoga also puts you in tune with your body and helps you focus on poses that can be completed through precise movements and stretching. The peacefulness of practicing yoga can be a stress reliever but also a great tool for preparing for a run or jog as part of your daily exercise routine. Because you are getting physical exercise, you may also reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol.
Potential
Yoga not only helps clear your mind and ease anxiety, it can also help manage or reduce your risk for certain health conditions, notes MayoClinic.com. Insomnia, depression, chronic pain, high blood pressure and chronic fatigue can all wear on your body -- especially your heart. Practicing yoga three to five times a week may help reduce these conditions and the stress they place on your heart and cardiovascular system.
Considerations
Yoga is generally considered a safe form of exercise. But if you already have a chronic or pre-existing condition such as heart disease, diabetes, spinal cord injury, hypertension or history of stroke, you should consult with your family doctor before enrolling in a yoga class or practicing yoga at home.
