JoyFull Living by Louise Lavergne
From the Heart Fisrt published 2/09
February is when we can look forward to celebrating Valentine’s Day. This is not just a good excuse to eat chocolates, but a time to think about our heart – the romance of our emotional hearts and our physical hearts. Taking care of our daily stress is crucial to our hearts’ wellbeing. Let’s look at a few ways that stress is harmful to the heart specifically. (For more information on heart health from a a variety of medical journals, go to WebMed.com.)
· Acute stress has been associated with higher risk of serious cardiac events, such as heart-rhythm abnormalities and heart attacks.
· Sudden stress increases the pumping action and rate of the heart and causes the arteries to constrict, thereby posing the risk of blocking blood flow to the heart.
· Stress causes blood to become stickier, increasing the likelihood of an artery-clogging blood clot.
· Stress may signal the body to release fat into the bloodstream, raising blood-cholesterol levels, at least temporarily.
· In women, chronic stress may reduce estrogen levels, which are important for cardiac health.
Yoga has been proven to be very effective in relieving stress and improving cardiovascular health. This month in my classes we will practice the heart Mudra (hand position) as well as other exercises to ease tension and support heart health.
Another great way to take care of stress and celebrate Valentine’s Day is to share yoga with a partner or friend. Yoga can open the door to healthy communication. It can bring us closer as we cross over the turbulent waters of stress to arrive together to a peaceful inner place. Also, many yoga poses can be improved by working with a partner. Start by sitting back to back, if using chairs, sit sideways so your backs can lean on each other. Begin taking slow deep breath as you lean on each other sitting up. You may find that after a short time your breathing is synchronized. Then take turns leaning back and forth slowly, giving each other a chance to stretch a little more each time.
Remember to take time to breathe and say I love you, from the heart.
. © Louise Lavergne 2001-2010
www.joyfull-yoga.com; 541-899-0707 Louise is the owner of JoyFull Yoga LLC in Jacksonville where she offers group and private sessions. She is the yoga provider for Triune Integrative Medicine in Medford where she works with patients of Dr. Robin Miller. She is also a Motivational speaker. She has been practicing and teaching yoga and meditation for over 20 years.
