It is important to have a healthy Circulatory System. Make sure that nothing obstructs the blood vessels and arteries which transport oxygen and nutrients to the whole body. Have a healthy lifestyle in order to avoid Circulatory ailments which can affect the normal operation of your system. This section covers Yoga Poses that can help you in dealing with several ailments and illnesses such as Hypertension and Coronary Artery Disease:

A lot of things can bring stress to our mental, physical, and spiritual self, but there's nothing a good Yoga couldn't fix.

We may not be aware that even the simple things we encounter everyday that bring stress to us can cause major complications like instantaneous surge in heart rate, high blood pressure, sweating, shallow breathing, muscle tension, and reduction of blood flow to the internal organs. Thanks to Yoga Exercises, just deep breaths and relaxation of the skeletal muscles will allow the blood to travel to the digestive, reproductive, glandular, and immune systems. Thus, giving way for a better circulation of blood and nutrients in the body.

Yoga requires the practitioner to take long deep breaths, conscious relaxation, and concentration, which has been proven to decrease the level of stress hormones and cortisol in the blood. Other poses in the Yoga exercise can also enhance the circulation of blood and body fluids in the different parts of the body to maintain the normal functioning of the immune system. This will allow the body to heal by itself. Yoga also promotes a healthier lifestyle to the practitioner since it requires discipline and self-awareness during the session.

We could avoid disorder in the body if the blood flow to the organs is well kept up. Here are some points on how Yoga can be beneficial in regulating a healthy circulation of blood and nutrients in the body:

• Standing Poses - In these poses, the lateral wall of the heart is completely stretched and toned up so that there would be a healthy blood flow on the walls.
• Inverted Poses - Since the body is used to standing erect all the time, the lymphatic system of the legs and muscles that help in pumping the blood upward can get rest in this position. These exercises will also avoid tissue degeneration because it allows proper circulation of blood in the brain.
• Horizontal Poses - The blood pressure can be reduced in performing horizontal poses since the heart and lungs are rested, rejuvenated, and well-ventilated.
• Bending Poses - When these poses are done without strain, they can improve blood supply to the myocardium and will surely tone up the cardiac muscle.

If one could learn the proper way of doing the Yoga exercises, it will definitely help in preventing serious complications due to restricted blood flow in the body. Instead of taking lots of medication, try to do the natural way of enhancing the mental, physical, and spiritual self through these Yoga Exercises.

Hypertension

Hypertension happens when the pressure in your system gets high enough leading to risks in your system. It is also commonly known as high blood pressure, which refers to the amount of pressure in your arteries. In diagnosing hypertension, several readings must be taken. If the rate of blood pressure reaches to as high as 140/90, then hypertension is present. Hypertension is also related to other diseases like stroke, heart attack, Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), and may also lead to death. The two types of high blood pressure are as follows:

• Primary Hypertension – also known as essential hypertension; commonly caused by stress and injury, primary hypertension has no specific symptom. Other causes comprise emotional disturbance, heredity, race, climatic condition, Obesity, smoking and alcohol intake.
• Secondary Hypertension – may lead to kidney infection, malfunctioning of the Endocrine Gland, arterial problems like arteriosclerosis, and even Pregnancy.

Since hypertension has no specific symptom, it became known to be a silent killer. If not detected at an early stage, it may lead to arterial cardiac and renal damage. Nevertheless, hypertension can be detected if people experience some mild and pounding headache, giddiness, hazy vision, ringing in the ears, and disturbed kidney functioning. If experienced continuously, it may lead to heart attack, heart failure, stroke, or paralysis.

In order to manage hypertension, lifestyle management, one of which is Yoga lifestyle, helps treat and prevent hypertension through mind and body activities.

The following are the Poses you may follow to help you manage Hypertension. Note that Yoga is not the only treatment for Hypertension, Seek doctor’s advice before starting Yoga practices.

Yoga Poses for Hypertension

Easy Pose (Sukhasana)

This is one of the classic Meditative Poses and is usually performed after doing the Corpse Pose. The Easy Pose helps in straightening the spine, slowing down metabolism, promoting inner tranquility, and keeping your mind still.

Shoulder Stretches

Shoulder Stretches are great in relieving stress and tension on your shoulders, as well as your entire upper back. Practice them daily for several weeks and notice the changes.

Stand Spread Leg Forward Fold

Practicing the Standing Spread Leg Forward Fold can strengthen and stretch your inner and back legs and your spine. People with lower back problems should avoid doing the full forward bend. For beginners, you may use props like a folding chair to support your forearms.

Cat Pose (Bidalasana)

The Cat Yoga Pose teaches you to initiate movement from your center and to coordinate your movement and breath. These are two of the most important themes in Yoga practice. Keep in mind that the Cat Pose may not be advisable if you have any chronic or recent back pain or injury.

Half Spinal Twist (Ardha Matsyendrasana)

If done properly, the Half Spinal Twist lengthens and strengthens the spine. It is also beneficial for your liver, kidneys, as well as adrenal glands. Practice this Yoga Pose under the supervision of a Yoga instructor.

Wind Relieving Pose (Pavanamuktasana)

The term Pavanamuktasana comes from the Sanskrit word 'pavana' which means air or wind and 'mukta' which means freedom or release. The Wind Relieving Pose works mainly on the digestive system. specifically, it helps in eliminating excess gas in the stomach.

Double Leg Raises

A Double Leg Raise is similar to a Single Leg Raise, only this time, you will raise both legs. In doing this Yoga Pose, make sure that the full length of your back is resting on the floor and your shoulders and neck are relaxed.

Anuloma Viloma

Anuloma Viloma is also called the Alternate Nostril Breathing Technique. In this Breathing Technique, you inhale through one nostril, retain the breath, and exhale through the other nostril.

Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is the most common form of heart disease. This is caused by the buildup of cholesterol in the inside layers of the arteries. As a result of the blockage, the blood flow will slow down and the muscles will not get enough supply of blood. The plaque also weakens the arterial wall which may lead to a crack and the formation of blood clot. The blood clot and block in the arteries often lead to heart attack.

CAD may also be associated with aging together with some other reasons. Men and women who are past the Menopausal Stage or those who has a family history of CAD have a high risk of having this Heart Disease. Other factors include smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, High Blood Pressure, Obesity or a sedentary lifestyle. Stress and anxiety are also common causes of CAD. CAD progression may be gradual and may also occur at an early age. As teenagers, you may develop some "fatty streaks". Later, the blockage will go up to 50%, to 90%, and then to 100%. This gradual buildup is called atherosclerosis that can begin in your younger years and develop as you grow older. Once the vessel closed, a heart attack normally follows.

Heart Disease is the number one cause of death in the United States especially for Senior Citizens or people over the age of 60. Nearly half of CAD cases happen so gradually that it shows no symptoms and resulted to death. However, most people with CAD often experience Angina (pain, pressure, or burning in the chest, arm, or neck). The pain indicates that the heart muscle lacks blood supply. It may not be severe but patients who experience angina or a worsened usual pattern of angina should contact a physician. Other symptoms include irregular heart rhythms, shortness of breath, fatigue, low tolerance to exertion, and congestive heart failure. The worst case symptoms would be heart attack and "death".

Yoga improves the body's strength and flexibility which may help control blood pressure, respiration, and heart and metabolic rates. The change of one's lifestyle to Yoga Lifestyle which includes a vegetarian diet and a no tobacco lifestyle also makes the progression of CAD slower or make severe CAD patients recover faster. Yoga also helps you cope with stress and Anxiety which are also common causes of CAD. Yoga practice gives you a deeper knowledge of yourself which often lead to a healthy lifestyle and the elimination of the modifiable risk factors for CAD.

Basic Yoga Routine may help you cope with Coronary Artery Disease and Heart Ailments in general. However, remember that you cannot treat CAD or any other heart disease with Yoga. Yoga is not a cure; it only helps you improve your entire body, including your system, to be able to cope with your affliction.

You may start by practicing the Corpse Pose. This Yoga Pose will help you relax your body and relieve stress and tension which can cause or trigger CAD. If you feel that you have go further, you may try either of the following Basic Yoga Sessions. You do not need to do all the poses. If you feel tired, feel pain or you feel that the pose is too difficult, you may stop or move on to an easier pose.