7 Best amazing Yoga poses for improving blood circulation: One of the most important functions in the body is the circulation of blood. This supplies blood, oxygen and nutrients to the brain and other organs. Good circulation promotes healthy skin, cell growth, energy and cognitive ability. Poor circulation may cause numbness, dizziness, nerve damage, tissue damage, muscle cramps, blood clots, varicose veins and can lead to peripheral artery disease (PAD).
Virabhadrasana – Warrior Pose –
Warrior pose for improving blood circulation. Warrior pose stretches the muscles of arms, shoulders, neck, legs, and groin favoring muscle contraction and relaxation. Such tone up muscles encourages circulation. Furthermore, the joints of the legs, the waist and those of spinal cord and neck get curved exactly in opposite direction, regulating the blood circulation in those joints.
Salamba Sarvangasana – Shoulder Stand –
Shoulder stand pose for improving blood circulation. Shoulder stand is a part of Hatha yoga, where all pressure is exerted on the neck, shoulders and back of the head. As the body remains straight from feet up to shoulder with legs at the 90- degree angle from the floor, blood flows from lower part of the body towards heart for oxygenation. Peculiar shoulder stand position improves supply of fresh blood to the brain, eyes, ears, nose and throat.
Viparita Karani- Leg’s Up Pose –
Legs up pose for improving blood circulation. Inverted body position with leg’s up is just opposite to our normal standing or sitting posture. Gravity effect pushes impure blood from legs and pelvis towards heart and improves circulation.
Uttanpadasana with Both Legs
Uttanpadasana with Both Legs for improving blood circulation. Vertical position of both legs stretches thigh muscles facilitating blood circulation. In this pose, you raise both legs up without the support of a wall.
Shavasana- Corpse pose –
Shavasana improving blood circulation. Shavasana is one of the best relaxing poses, where a body looks like a dead body. Whenever a body is in action, it requires more oxygen, which is gained through increasing circulation. Increased circulation favors increase in respiration.
Deep Breathing
– While breathing in, the diaphragm, a major respiratory muscle is pulled down. This minimizes the chest pressure and increases abdominal pressure. An increased abdominal pressure compresses the abdominal veins, a type of blood vessels and pushes blood upward in chest and heart.
– While breathing out, the diaphragm reverts back in its normal position, which minimizes abdominal pressure. Reduced abdominal pressure drains blood from both legs toward abdomen and improves venous return to the heart.
Kapalbhati -Skull Shining Breath –
Kapalbhati improving blood circulation, Kapalbhati, a process of fast exhalation and jerky inhalation is another type of breathing useful in maintaining a flow of blood. Peculiar exhalation and inhalation contracts and relax the abdominal muscles and diaphragm.
Unlike in deep breathing, during exhalation, blood is pushed from an abdomen upward in the heart. While in inhalation, the blood from legs drain into abdomen and go to the heart in next round.