Yoga to Improve Blood Circulation

Written by Dr. Minakshi Welukar.

Blood circulation, running of blood in heart and blood vessels, is an important arm of the body to function well. More substantial is the blood circulation the stronger is our heart and healthy is our body. Yogic asanas and breathing techniques facilitates a flow of blood to and from each single part of the body. Hence yoga contributes immensely in betterment of overall health of human being.

headstand yoga

The pumping action of the heart provides oxygenated blood enriched with vital nutrients to every cell throughout our blood vessels. Whereas de-oxygenated blood full of metabolic waste material is brought back as a venous, that's returned from cell to heart for oxygenation. Such action of circulatory system to distribute pure blood and drain out impure one, improves functioning of body parts and subsequently body health.

Poor blood circulation is a reason for lack of energy, shortness of breath, varicose veins, and tingling and numbness in hands and fingers. Moreover, poor blood circulation is a major risk for heart diseases such as high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and abnormal cholesterol profile, landing human life in danger.

Stretching, muscle relaxation, and deep breathing techniques performed under yoga have a positive impact on heart, blood circulation and blood pressure. Yoga Vidya Gurukul reported how yoga poses, and breathing techniques helps to improve blood circulation.

Warrior Pose - Virabhadrasana I

Warrior pose stretches the muscles of arms, shoulders, neck, legs, and groin favoring muscle contraction and relaxation. Such tone up muscles encourages circulation. Furthermore, the joints of the legs, the waist and those of spinal cord and neck get curved exactly in opposite direction, regulating the blood circulation in those joints.

Shoulder Stand - Salamba Sarvangasana

Shoulder stand is a part of Hatha yoga, where all pressure is exerted on the neck, shoulders and back of the head.

As the body remains straight from feet up to shoulder with legs at the 90- degree angle from the floor, blood flows from lower part of the body towards heart for oxygenation.

Peculiar shoulder stand position improves supply of fresh blood to the brain, eyes, ears, nose and throat.

Inversions

Leg's Up Pose - Viparita Karani

Inverted body position with leg's up is just opposite to our normal standing or sitting posture. Gravity effect pushes impure blood from legs and pelvis towards heart and improves circulation.

Leg's Up Pose - Uttanpadasana with Both Legs

Vertical position of both legs stretches thigh muscles facilitating blood circulation. In this pose, you raise both legs up without the support of a wall.

Corpse pose - Shavasana

Shavasana is one of the best relaxing poses, where a body looks like a dead body. Whenever a body is in action, it requires more oxygen, which is gained through increasing circulation. Increased circulation favours increase in respiration.

In shavasana, the relaxing effect calms down the speed of body's activities, which lowers down the demand for blood and oxygen. This gives a break to respiratory and circulatory cycle useful for improving heart function. Moreover the relaxing effect of shavasana decreases high blood pressure. All of which favours strengthening of circulatory system.

Deep Breathing

While breathing in, the diaphragm, a major respiratory muscle is pulled down. This minimizes the chest pressure and increases abdominal pressure. An increased abdominal pressure compresses the abdominal veins, a type of blood vessels and pushes blood upward in chest and heart.

While breathing out, the diaphragm reverts back in its normal position, which minimizes abdominal pressure. Reduced abdominal pressure drains blood from both legs toward abdomen and improves venous return to the heart.

Skull Shining Breath - Kapalbhati

Kapalbhati, a process of fast exhalation and jerky inhalation is another type of breathing useful in maintaining a flow of blood. Peculiar exhalation and inhalation contracts and relax the abdominal muscles and diaphragm.

Unlike in deep breathing, during exhalation, blood is pushed from an abdomen upward in the heart. While in inhalation, the blood from legs drain into abdomen and go to the heart in next round.

Deep breathing and kapalbhati play a vital role in increasing blood flow to the heart for oxygenation. However, jerky inhalation in Kapalbhati may raise blood pressure and hence contraindicated in those suffering from high blood pressure.

Yoga to Increase Circulation: VIDEO - Yoga postures are amazing to increase blood circulation throughout your whole body. When blood is flowing smoothly, you can ensure unobstructed oxygen flowing to every part and organ in your body.

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