The heart, arteries, veins and capillaries all work to keep the cells nourished. Any compromise in the circulation to an area of the body means that blood supply to a tissue is decreased which could lead to disease.
The heart is a muscular pump located behind the sternum in the chest. The beating of the heart provides the force necessary to pump the blood throughout the body. This blood is pumped through the arteries. The veins carry the impure blood from the tissues back to the lungs to be re-oxygenated.
Good circulation at any age is therefore required for healthy tissues. As we age our blood supply decreases so various tissues and organs may not get the required blood it needs.
Yoga asana can help keep the blood circulating to every corner of the body with its many movements.
The poses also help to keep the arteries stretched so they maintain their elasticity and do not become hard. The capillaries remain open and the heart is stretched.
The postures also help the venous blood return from the legs back up to the lungs and heart so circulation in the lower body is improved.
So, take some time today to not only bend and stretch with your yoga poses, but also do a few supported forward bends and chest openers to support the heart that beats day and night to keep us alive.
Include viparita karani (legs up the wall) to rest the legs. Here gravity helps to bring the blood back to the heart.
Then of course end with savasana, the remover of fatigue.
Geeta Iyengar writes about savasana - Savasana is a link connecting the body and the mind. It connects asana and pranayama and leads one to the spiritual path.
Breathing in savasana should be subtle, smooth, and quiet as the flow of water in a river so that the mind remains undisturbed."
Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
www.plnyoga.blogspot.com
plnyogastudio@gmail.com
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