#HealthBytes: Yoga asanas that can reduce the risk of stroke
A stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures or there is a blockage in the blood supply to the brain. To reduce the risk of stroke, a person needs to reduce their stress levels, manage their cholesterol and blood pressure, among other things. These yoga asanas can help in all the essential factors needed for preventing the stroke.
Tadasana, the mountain pose
Stand straight, with your feet hip-width apart, hips in a neutral position, and tailbone tucked just slightly under. Relax your arms by your sides with your palms faced outward. Keep your neck long, and the back of your skull lifted up. Bring your shoulder blades toward each other, and keep your legs straight. Take three deep breaths. Then, relax and repeat.
Shalabhasana, the locust pose
Lie on your abdomen with your feet kept together. Keep your arms straight, and close to your body. Then, take a deep breath, and lift your chest and feet off the ground. If you are a beginner, just lifting your legs is fine. Stay in this position for 30 seconds, and then release. Relax for 10 seconds, and repeat the asana.
Bhujangasana, the cobra pose
Lie down on your stomach with your legs extended straight out. Then, bring your palms on the sides of your chest. Next, lift your chest off the ground by using your back muscles and putting the pressure on your hands. Keep your elbows slightly bent, and hold the pose for ten breaths. Relax for a while and repeat this 7-10 times.
Utkatasana, the chair pose
Stand upright and stretch your hands in front of you. Do not bend your elbows. Then, bend the knees and gently push your pelvis down as if you are sitting on a chair. You can either keep your hands parallel to the ground, or lift them above. Gradually, keep going down till you sit down in a cross-legged posture, and relax.
