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Yoga and Arteriosclerosis
Healthy arteries are flexible and elastic, but over time, the walls in your arteries can harden, a condition commonly called arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the heart arteries.
– Mayo Clinic
Arteriosclerosis can happen in the arteries of the heart, resulting in coronary heart disease associated with pain, called angina.
Studies are being conducted, such as Reversal of Coronary Atherosclerosis by Yoga Lifestyle Intervention (the terms arteriosclerosis, and atherosclerosis are often used interchangeably), where scientists and yogis alike are working very hard to uncover and validate the reason and logic behind the healing benefits of yoga through scientific methodology.
But, until that happens, yoga teachers will still be teaching what they have been teaching for tens of thousands of years with great success to increase longevity and prevention.
Here’s the scoop on yoga and arteriosclerosis, specifically that affect angina.
1. Stress affects your heart.
In our society, stress is known as the “epidemic of the 21st century”, (HCA Today).
Increased stress can be one cause of angina. Stress can make your blood pressure go up, and high blood pressure is a risk factor for angina because it can harm arteries and make them more likely to develop atherosclerosis.
– Honor Society of Nursing
2. Healthy arteries are supposed
to be flexible and elastic.
To increase the elasticity and flexibility of the heart, yoga poses that flex and contract the heart muscles are recommended. Poses like forward fold, cobra, rabbit, camel, plough, fish, and wheel all are poses that increase the flexibility of the heart region, compressing and contracting the heart region. Twisting through the thoracic region of the spine is also a great way to increase the flexibility of the heart. Poses like revolved easy pose, revolved crescent lunge, revolved side angle pose, revolved triangle supine twist, and thread the needle are recommended.
Stretching enables your heart muscles to work more effectively, increases blood flow to the heart muscle, and releases the tension in and around the heart.
3. Relaxation is the
opposite of tension.
We hold stress physically in our bodies through tension. Mindful relaxation is a great way to let go of tension. Active relaxation, yoga nidra, and body scans are a few ways to noticeably increase your overall relaxation, and prevent the hardening of arteries of the heart. Try it.
