Impact of Yoga and Ayurveda on Cardiovascular Health
Cardiovascular health is becoming a major concern nowadays. In recent decades it has become a major cause of death in America, Australia, UK, and now it is rising its head in India too. As per a report, it takes globally 17.9 million lives each year. Alone in America, 1 out of 4 deaths are caused by heart disease.
Cardiovascular disease is a group of heart diseases that includes the following :
– Heart Attacks
– Heart Failure
– Valvular Diseases
– Pericarditis
– Arrhythmias
– Rheumatic Heart Diseases
– Congenital Heart Disease
– Cardiomyopathy
– Myocarditis
In this article we will discuss Ayurveda on Cardiovascular Health and how can it impact your life positively.
Ayurveda on Cardiovascular Health and the importance of the Heart:
The heart is the most important organ in the human body. We can’t survive without our hearts functioning properly. There are hundreds of reports showing the raising death numbers due to cardiovascular diseases. But here we are, to discuss how Ayurveda takes its stand in Heart health.
Ayurveda signifies the heart as the most vital organ of the body. It is a critical energy hub of the body that operates as a junction of energetic & physical pathways. It has a vital connection with the whole body and holds a primary seat managing the Vata, Kapha, Pitta, and Ojas. All these play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy body.
The heart is connected to Shrotamsi (internal body channels), a subtle body through Nadis in the physical body, and has Heart Chakra as well.
Doshas, Srotamsi, Nadis, and Chakras:
1. Doshas:
Ayurveda mentions Doshas as primary elements of the body. They are three- Vata Doshas, Pitta, and Kapha. They decide our nature, and our body type, and impact several health issues and mental capabilities. Each person has a unique combination of all three doshas and acts according to them. It is said that for a healthy body & mind, one must attain balance among three elements. Doshas play an important part in the functioning strength of the heart system. It also improves the emotional digestion in the heart.
2. Shrotamsi:
Shrotamsi is the internal bodily channels that are the pathways of different energy or matter. Ayurveda explains thirteen different pathways in the human body. Notable is that three of them are connected to the heart. No organs else are that deeply connected to the body at this level. These three different pathways connect the heart to the body at three different layers and set up the most intimate relationship of the heart with other cells & tissues.
– Mano Vaha Srotas:
This is the channel of the mind and is responsible for thinking, feeling, discernment, memory, and communication.
– Prana Vaho Srotas:
It is the respiratory channel and is responsible for circulating Prana or the life force throughout the body. It also plays a role in thinking, emotions, and communication.
– Rasa Vaho Srotas:
This is the channel responsible for delivering lymph and plasma. This is responsible for delivering refined nutrition to each cell of the body.
3. Nadis:
Ayurveda on Cardiovascular health mentions about 72000 Nadi in the human body. These Nadi have channeled the life energies flow through. Note that the Nadi does not refer to a nerve. Among these 72000 Nadis, 3 are the primal ones and others are the extension parts of it. These three primal Nadis are 1. Ida Nadi 2. Pingala Nadi and 3. Sushumna Nadi.
1. Ida Nadi: This Nadi is sometimes referred to as feminine Nadi or the lunar. It is present in the left spine, associates with the left body, and connects with the left nostril.
- Pingala Nadi:
This Nadi is the muscular Nadi or the solar Nadi. This is present in the right side of the spine, associates with the right side of the body, and connects with the right nostril.
3. Sushumna Nadi:
Sushumna Nadi connects with both nostrils simultaneously and is present at the center of the spine.
4. Chakras:
Ayurveda highly focuses on the functioning of Chakras. These chakras represent spiritual health more than physical health. Chakras are the energy centers of the body and function to control the mind, body, and soul to their optimum health. There are a total of 7 chakras that influence our organ functioning, overall mind, intellect, emotion, and spiritual activity at its best. The heart is the seat for Heart Chakra. It is placed on our chest and controls various emotions such as compassion, joy, forgiveness, empathy, love, and empathy.
Importance of Ayurveda on Cardiovascular Health:
Though there is no efficient proof of Ayurvedic being much effective in treating cardiovascular diseases, Ayurvedic therapies, and lifestyle holds great value in world health standards. Heart diseases are a result of bad sleep, inappropriate diet, a lazy lifestyle, and stress. Emotional health also plays a critical part in heart disease.
Fun Fact- As per modern reports, a heartbreak can literally cause you sudden Heart Attacks.
Ayurveda on cardiovascular health does not depend only on herbs but includes all segments of a healthy lifestyle. The therapies include reducing stress, managing mental & emotional well-being, detoxifying your body channels, tissue nutrition, and supporting Ojas. Following are the methods Ayurveda suggests all people go for as heart patients.
1. Pranayama:
Pranayama is the subject of channeling life energy or the breath. It includes types of breathing exercises that play important roles in the energising body, supporting the nervous system, pushing organs to their best functioning, helping to digest and remove ama, purifying the mind, and activating several channels present in the heart.
2. Yoga:
Yoga is considered a holistic exercise that emerged in Indian ancient culture. The subject includes several asana & mudras, and standing positions to improve the body’s flexibility, strength, and activeness. This asana helps in revitalizing each cell of the body including the heart & mind.
Note- Be careful while practicing Yoga. Tell your condition to an expert for prior safety.
3. Meditation:
Meditation is an integral part of Yoga. Ayurveda suggests practising meditation after yoga to get the best results. Yoga Nidra is a bridge between the two stages. Meditation calms your mind, improves the blood flow in the body, and balances your emotions. It also improves digestion, and rational thinking, and balances doshas.
4. Diet:
Ayurveda on Cardiovascular health highly focuses on diet. Our heart health actively depends on the type of food we eat. It promotes a vegetarian diet including natural proteins, fibers, and other essential elements. Mindful eating also improves the digestive fire or the Agni. Maintaining our diet along with our eating schedule improves heart health.
Conclusion:
Ayurveda on Cardiovascular Health is not limited to medicines and herbs but it promotes a significant improvement in overall lifestyle. In this blog, the team of ‘Ayurveda Sahi Hai’ have discussed a detailed understanding of Ayurvedic understanding of the heart’s importance and the treatment of several heart diseases. Hope you like this article.
Accept Ayurveda, and Be Healthy 🙂