Yoga Guru Sharath Jois Death: Which Asanas You Should Avoid if Suffering from Heart Disease

Celebrity yoga guru Sharath Jois - who garnered legions of followers by teaching Ashtanga, the popular style of yoga founded by his grandfather, died in Virginia. The 53-year-old yoga master suffered a heart attack on a hiking trail near Virginia university’s campus in Charlottesville, where he was visiting, his manager said.

Jois’s workshops were attended by thousands of disciples seeking a direct experience with the leader of the Ashtanga yoga tradition, which involves a demanding series of postures and dynamic movements. Ashtanga yoga is widely viewed today as one of the most accessible forms of exercise.

Sharat’s grandfather K Pattabhi Jois is credited with pushing Ashtanga yoga to mainstream popularity. Sharath is known for memorializing his legacy with millions of followers across the world, including A-list celebrities like Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow.

One of Ashtanga yoga’s breathing techniques – known as Alternate Nostril Breathing or Nadi Shodhana even reportedly helped former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton cope with the stress of losing the 2016 presidential election against Donald Trump.

Heart disease – which includes conditions like coronary artery disease, heart failure, or arrhythmia affects your body’s ability to handle physical stress. According to experts, while yoga is mostly recommended for its relaxation and stress-relieving benefits, many postures can be too intense for those with heart conditions. And the key to safely practicing yoga lies in selecting the right asanas that work for your heart rather than against it.

Experts say heart issues can make even the simplest exercises feel daunting and unsettling. And so, it is important to always consult a doctor before starting any new fitness regime – including yoga.

Even though yoga is often viewed as gentle, the wrong pose can put your heart at risk.

Twisting asanas helps stimulate blood circulation and aid digestion, but can also lead to compressing your heart, which increases blood pressure and heart strain. If you already have a heart issue, deep twists can increase the workload on your cardiovascular system.

And so, according to yoga practitioners, avoid doing Ardha Matsyendrasana, and Parivrtta Trikonasana asanas. However, if you want to indulge, make sure to do gentle and slow twists without any extra stress to your heart.

While backbends are extremely beneficial for your lungs and chest – helping improve circulation, they also place a lot of pressure on your spine and cause a rapid increase in heart rate.

Avoid Chakrasana, Ustrasana, and Dhanurasana as these can overstimulate your heart.

Inversions are poses where your heart is positioned above your head, and while they are extremely beneficial for your heart, these are not suitable for those with cardiovascular problems. Inversions lead to your heart rate spiking suddenly, leading to extra strain on an already compromised heart.

Completely avoid headstands or Sirsasana, Sarvangasana, and Adho Mukha Vrksasana, if you have any kind of heart trouble.

Any kind of yoga asana that involves lifting your arms above the head for a long time can significantly spike your blood pressure levels – causing danger for heart patients. So, either avoid or modify Virabhadrasana I and Vrikshasana by keeping your arms at heart level instead of raising them overhead.

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