Ann West Yoga

  • Home
  • Ann West
  • Classes
    • Class Descriptions
    • Workshops
    • Yoga Therapy
    • Healthy Back
    • Private Classes
    • Class Fees
  • Online Classes
    • Online Yoga Classes
    • Private Online Classes
    • Free Online Practices
    • Online Class Fees
    • Online Class Tips
  • Yoga
    • What is Yoga
    • Why Do Yoga
    • Home Practice
    • Ashtanga Yoga
    • Yoga Class Tips
  • Blog
    • All Posts
    • Yoga Asana
    • Yoga Props
  • Resources
    • Study Resources
    • Testimonials
    • Useful Links
  • Newsletter
    • Past Newsletters
  • About
    • About
    • Contact
    • Location

Yoga for a Healthy Heart

February 1, 2015

heart“The way is not in the sky. The way is in the heart.” ~ Buddha

According to yogic philosophy, the heart chakra is the seat of the soul and the center for compassion. A pure heart is held in high esteem. Through modern medicine we know that the heart is the center of the circulatory system, pumping blood throughout the body, delivering oxygen to the cells, and carrying away metabolic waste.

Yoga for the heart studies

The physical heart is an essential organ and keeping it robust is a primary health goal. Recent research has found that yoga’s effect on cardiovascular health is similar to brisk walking and bicycling.

Studies specific to Iyengar Yoga have also shown it can help lower blood pressure and systemic stress levels to help prevent heart disease; as well as increase vagal tone, which balances the heart to beat within a safe range. And if you need another good reason to practice yoga for your physical heart health, this study found that poor trunk flexibility is associated with arterial stiffening.

The spiritual heart

The spiritual heart can be cultivated through mindful compassion, contentment and devotion. A good place to begin is by being compassionate with yourself during your yoga practice. Don’t force the poses aggressively and don’t expect perfection. Instead, honor your body with patience. Accept how it is today and know that with dedicated practice your poses will improve over time. Be devoted and practice with reverence. Yogis believe that the heart is the abode of the most central, sacred aspect of you – your soul. Cherish it.

The healthy heart yoga poses at  the links below will stretch, massage and calm your physical heart, as well as the surrounding trunk muscles. Practice them with self-compassion and devotion to cultivate reverence in your spiritual heart. There are options for both beginning and continuing level students.

Yoga poses to stimulate the heart
Yoga poses to calm the heart

Connect

For more yoga articles, updates, classes and workshops, sign up for my newsletter at the top of the page or like on Facebook at Ann West :: Iyengar Yoga. You can contact me directly by email or call (858) 224-2484.

© 2015 by Ann West. All rights reserved.

 

Filed Under: Anatomy, Heart, Iyengar Yoga, Yoga Asana

Archives

  • September 2020
  • May 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2019
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • January 2016
  • October 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014

Categories

  • Anatomy
  • Ankles
  • Balance
  • Brain
  • core
  • Feet
  • Heart
  • Hips
  • Iyengar Yoga
  • Knee
  • Knees
  • Posture
  • Psoas
  • Resources
  • Restorative Yoga
  • Standing Poses
  • Teaching
  • Travel & Yoga
  • Uncategorized
  • Yoga Asana
  • Yoga for a Healthy Back
  • Yoga for immune health
  • Yoga for the Core
  • Yoga Micro Tutorial
  • Yoga Props
©East West Yoga
(858) 224-2484 | info@eastwestyoga.com
Developed by Tiny Frog