Keywords
Cardiovascular health; Disease; Stress; Yoga Therapy
Abstract
Background: Yoga as a mode of therapy has become extremely popular, and a great number of studies and systematic reviews offer scientific evidence of its potential in treating a wide range of psychosomatic conditions. Healthy life can be considered as a by-product of practicing yogic techniques since it has been observed that yoga practitioners are physically and mentally healthier and have better coping skills to stressors than the normal population.
Aims and objective: This review paper details some of the health promoting benefits of yoga with regard to cardiovascular health and discusses mechanisms for such beneficial physiological, biochemical and psychological effects. Psycho-neuro-endocrine changes including correction of Gamma Amino-Butyric Acid (GABA) activity, and parasympathetic activation coupled with decreased reactivity of sympathoadrenal system and Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis are highlighted.
Conclusion: Though most studies and reviews suggest a number of areas where yoga may be beneficial for cardiovascular health, more research is required to establish these benefits conclusively. It is important to develop objective measures of various mind-body therapies and their techniques while including them in intervention trials. In conclusion, we can say that yoga has preventive, promotive as well as curative potential as an adjunct therapy and that a yogic lifestyle confers many advantages to the practitioner.
Citation
Bhavanani AB. Yoga and Cardiovascular Health: Exploring Possible Benefits and Postulated Mechanisms. SM J Cardiolog and Cardiovasc Disord. 2016; 2(2): 1007s2.