Poses for Your Heart

Forget “traditional” forms of cardio. These three yoga practices are proven to improve heart health.

Trust us, it sparks joy.

Because in order to navigate a chaotic world, you need to begin with nurturing yourself.

Recent studies have shown the benefit that yoga can have on hypertension. Here's a gentle practice to get you started.

You can't avoid sadness and trauma, but your practice can help you move from pain to peace.

These postures will move your heart space in every direction.

A modification of Plank Pose, Forearm Plank strengthens and tones the core, thighs, and arms.

How to avoid falling into autopilot while practicing this basic—but beneficial—stretch.

Bitilasana is an easy, gentle way to warm up the spine before a more vigorous practice.

Purvottanasana counteracts the effects of Chaturanga by stretching the pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, and anterior deltoids.

Bound Angle Pose, or Baddha Konasana, opens the deepest part of the hip muscles.

It might look straightforward, but there's more to Dandasana than meets the eye.

When was the last time you gave thanks for your ability to move through your yoga practice?

It's time to find your center. This practice for the full moon brings you back to your truest source of strength and stability—you.

Don't let the name fool you. If you're used to sitting in chairs, Easy Pose (or Sukhasana) can be quite challenging.

Setu Bandha Sarvangasana can be whatever you need—energizing, rejuvenating, or luxuriously restorative.

Utkatasana powerfully strengthens the muscles of the arms and legs, but it also stimulates the diaphragm and heart.

Bend back into the shape of a bow to feel energetically locked, loaded, and ready to take aim.

Try this gentle sequence to attune to your body and heart wisdom

Strengthen your back and open your shoulders and chest as you move step by step into Dhanurasana.

Need a boost? Expect this sequence from Valerie Sagun (aka Big Gal Yoga) to open your heart, silence negative thoughts, ease stress—and show you everything there is to love about your body.

This heart-opening pose is perfect for Valentine’s Day. When you are open and available, you are present to truly give and receive love.

Grab a partner and celebrate American Heart Month with this chest-opening sequence from Two Fit Moms.

Here's how yoga not only opens your heart, but also protects your ticker in the long run.

According to Reuters, recent studies conducted in Sweden and India show that yoga can reverse biochemical changes associated with high blood pressure, obesity, and high blood sugar. Waist circumference, blood pressure, blood sugar, and triglycerides were significantly lower, and "good"...

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A cross between Child's Pose and Downward-Facing Dog, Extended Puppy Pose lengthens the spine and calms the mind.

Can you practice Wheel with straight arms and Headstand without strain? Then, you're ready.

In Extended Hand-to-big-toe Pose, maintaining solid grounding through the standing foot helps keep you steady.

Kapotasana invigorates your body and gives your spirits a lift. This extremely deep backbend is appropriate for advanced practitioners only.

Ease up into Half Frog Pose, called Ardha Bhekasana in Sanskrit. This pose strengthens the back while gently opening up the shoulders, chest, and thighs—a loving treat for the entire body.

Sphinx Pose is the infant of backbends. It can be practiced with either an active or passive approach.

This pose gently lengthens and strengthens even stubbornly tight hamstrings.

Dolphin Pose strengthens the core, arms, and legs, while also nicely opening the shoulders.

A classic restorative posture, Supta Baddha Konasana or Reclining Bound Angle Pose can be modified for any level of hip and groin resistance.

Practicing Anjali Mudra is an excellent way to induce a meditative state of awareness.

By providing a conscious opening in the chest and stretch in the shoulders, Cobra Pose, called Bhujangasana in Sanskrit, fights fatigue and relieves lower back pain, boosting both the energetic and the physical body.