Improve your cardiovascular system with yoga

The cardiovascular system is the system of the heart and blood vessels of the human body. It is made up of 3 major components:

1.          Heart - Hollow muscular organ made up of cardiac muscles. It pushes the blood through the circulatory system with great force. The push of the heart is a vital force in circulating blood throughout the human body.

2.          Blood vessels - In the human body, blood does not come in direct contact with body tissues. The restricted pathways that blood flows-in are called blood vessels. Material is exchanged between blood and blood tissues through the walls of blood vessels. There are three main types of blood vessels: arteries, capillaries and veins.

3.          Blood - It is a specialized tissue of body that exists in fluid form. It contains two major forms of tissues: blood cells and plasma. Plasma is the watery and is made up of 90% fluid. The remaining 10% in plasma are proteins, inclusions and waste products. There are three main types of blood cells: red, white and platelets.

The cardiovascular system is a pivotal system in the human body. It is essential for the existence of life. Without the flow of blood, there will be no life! The heart is the main organ of the system and is responsible for distributing blood all over the body.

Here are some yoga poses that can help your cardiovascular system:

·      Vrikshasana (Tree pose)

·      Tadasana (Mountain pose)

·      Setu Bandhasana (Bridge pose)

·      Ardha Matsyendrasana (Sitting Half Spinal Twist)

·      Dandasana (Stick pose)

Good blood circulation is essential to maintain a healthy body. If you are looking for a good cardio workout, surya namaskars (sun salutations) are a good starting point. Combine that with pranayama practices such as: kapalbhati, you are on your way to improving your cardiovascular system! If you have cardiovascular health issues, please consult a physician before practicing the above mentioned poses. Precaution is better than cure. Knowing your limitations is important to excel in your yoga practice.