Can yoga help lower the risk of heart disease?

PHOENIX - Can yoga really help lower the risk of heart disease?

One study conducted at the University of North Texas suggests that it does.

The study shows that middle-aged and older adults with limited flexibility are more likely to suffer from hardening of the arteries. This can lead to high blood pressure, stroke, and even heart attacks.

Harmony Fulton, a program coordinator at The Madison Improvement Club , supports the idea to maintain flexibility as we get older.

“The practice is beneficial to overall wellbeing, and I think that if we work on any area of the body we affect every area of the body, which includes our mind, our heart, our nervous system,” said Fulton.

There is no need to worry if you cannot touch your toes anymore. Fulton suggests that if you start off by doing simple stretching regularly three to six times per week that you will start seeing results.

Suzanne Zupancic, Instructor at Yoga Pura in Phoenix, says it's important to remember that forward-\bending poses are “calming” and back-bending poses are “invigorating”, so make sure you practice the right routine for you.

For overall heart health, it is still suggested by the Center for Disease Control to perform at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week. This can also be substituted for at least 75 minutes of high-intensity aerobic activity.