Three yoga asanas to manage high cholesterol levels

Additionally, he shared that studies have shown to reiterate the many benefits of yoga, such as managing insomnia, anxiety, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and osteoarthritis.

Sarvesh Shashi, founder of Sarva Yoga Studios, also took to Instagram and shared that individuals can manage cholesterol levels better and improve overall well-being by incorporating yoga into their daily routine, as he listed three asanas one can begin with.

 

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Chakrasana: Also known as the Wheel Pose, Chakrasana is a full-body stimulator.

There are two ways to perform the pose, depending on the level of difficulty:

*Beginners, start with lying on your back with your knees bent on the floor. Place your hands near your ears. Then, lift your entire body by putting pressure on your palms and feet.

*Advanced practitioners can attain the posture by arching their back, opening the chest and reaching the floor with their palms.

This pose stretches the whole body including the spine, neck, abdomen, chest, arms and legs. (Source: Freepik)

This pose stretches the whole body including the spine, neck, abdomen, chest, arms and legs. It also betters your posture, improves spine flexibility and strength. However, Akshar recommended thoroughly warming up the body before practicing the asana. “Those who have an injury in the wrist or back, along with pregnant women should avoid attempting the asana,” he said.

Shalabhasana (Locust pose)

The pose looks like a locust resting on the field because of the extended torso and stretched hands. (Source: Freepik)

It is a back-bending asana, which helps relieve back pain and increase flexibility. The pose looks like a locust resting on the field because of the extended torso and stretched hands.

The spine gets a good stretch in this asana, however, to lift the hands and legs together, one needs to develop upper and middle back strength. Thus, Akshar advised people with a recent or chronic injury to the back, arms or shoulders to avoid the asana, as well as if you’re pregnant, menstruating, or have had a recent abdominal surgery.

Sarvangasana (Shoulder stand)

The whole body rests on the shoulders, making it the primary limb in the asana. (Source: Freepik)

In this pose, the back is an inverted position and is supported by the hands and shoulders. The whole-body rests on the shoulders, making it the primary limb in the asana. Since pressure also comes on the neck, it stimulates the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland helps in boosting metabolism, thus promoting weight loss, which in turn helps combating high cholesterol.

However, Akshar suggested practitioners with wrist, neck or shoulder issues to refrain from performing this asana, as well as during menstruation or pregnancy. At the same time, those suffering from enlarged thyroid, liver or spleen, cervical spondylitis, slipped disc and high blood pressure or other heart ailments must avoid it altogether. 

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