09/07/2026
Yoga asanas for Cardiovascular Health🫁🫀
If you want to strengthen your heart, and thus your circulation, there's nothing better than indulging in a pose where your head is below your heart.
These poses open the lower ribcage, create more space for oxygen in the lungs and allow blood flow to shift direction. This action eases the workload on the heart and allows blood to flow with more ease back to the heart. These poses also help with lymphatic drainage and calm your nervous system.
I invite you to try taking just 5-minutes a day to practice these three poses. Take your time, modify where you need to, and have fun. Listen to your body and how it responds, and trust that it can do much more than you give it credit for.
I hope you enjoy these, and I'd love to hear your questions or comments below.
Please Note: If you have low blood pressure, consult with your doctor and practice all inversions with caution and mindfulness.
Downward Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
- Come to a tabletop position and walk your hands a little past your shoulders
- Spread your fingertips wide and bring your pinkies to the edge of the mat
- Curl your toes under and lift your hips toward the sky
- Don't worry about bringing your heels to the ground. Instead focus your attention on being strong in your shoulders and lifting your tailbone to the sky
- Bend your knees as much as you would like and let the back of your neck become loose
- Stay for about 5 breaths
Cat/Cow (Marjaryasana–Bitilasana)
- Come to a tabletop position
- Spread your fingertips wide and bring your pinkies to the edge of the mat
- Bring your knees under your hips
- Hide your feet behind your thighs
- On an inhale, let your belly drop toward the floor and tilt both your chin and your tailbone up toward the sky. Try to follow the cadence of your breath.
- On and exhale, start at your tailbone, round through the spine, and let your chin come to your chest.
- Complete 3 to 5 rounds
Supported Bridge (Setubandha Sarvangasana)
- Come to your back and bring your feet to the floor, knees bent
- Hike your heels up toward your sits bones, feet hip distance apart
- Roll your shoulders away from your ears/shoulders snuggled down back body
- Keep open in the throat, chin slightly lifted
- Bring a block, pillow, or bolster under your lower back. Make sure it is supporting your sacral spine, just above your tailbone
- Let your lower back rest on your support for at least 5 breaths
Book classes with me in the Cowichan Valley!
https://mummamagmayoga.com/yoga-classes/