Yoga's Role in Heart Health With Yoga Therapist Nicole DeAvilla! by Donna John

February is American Heart Month. Don’t wait until your doctor tells you that your heart health numbers are too high! Be informed and learn how to prevent and reverse symptoms of heart issues. At this week’s #30Seconds Twitter chat, we welcomed our very own Nicole DeAvilla! Nicole is a pioneer yoga therapist and creator of the yoga-coaching program “Release the Pressure, Feel the Love.” She’ll helped us learn how to manage heart health in our busy, fast-paced, hard-on-our-hearts culture.

Q: How does yoga have a positive effect on our heart health?

• Stress can wreak havoc on our hearts. Yoga is well-documented to reduce the effects of stress.
• Yoga breathing reduces heart rate and blood pressure.
• Exercise, including yoga, helps to reduce stress.
• Yoga meditation also reverses the stress response and improves heart health.
• Some forms of yoga are aerobic and improves cardiovascular health.
• Yoga breathing is good for cardiovascular health.

It truly is the best. From the hot power to the restorative healing yoga.. and, of course, yoga therapy! #30seconds https://t.co/rtVa0xyC19

— Dr. Shayna Mancuso (@DrShayna30) February 2, 2017

Q: Can you briefly explain the difference between a yoga teacher and a yoga therapist?

Yoga therapists have A LOT more training on health conditions of all types. Yoga therapists usually see clients in private sessions. I was part of the  IAYT movement to certify yoga therapists and accredit yoga therapy schools.

@donnas92 A2 I feel like I need a #yogatherapist.... maybe they work with your inner self centering more #30Seconds

— Trina Angele (@TrinaAngele) February 2, 2017

Q: Can yoga help reverse heart disease?

Not long ago it was thought that heart disease could only be managed, not reversed. Dr. Dean Ornish did studies showing that a yoga lifestyle and yoga practices not only manage, but reverse, heart disease. Yoga lifestyle includes healthy eating, nurturing relationships, exercise yoga postures, breathing and meditation. Yoga therapists work not just with yoga postures, they are trained in lifestyle strategies.

@NicoleDeAvilla I do feel less stressed after yoga, like my problems are not as big as I thought! #30seconds

— CosmoFrank (@cosmoravirie) February 2, 2017

Q: Can you give us an example of a simple yoga technique for heart health?

• Sit tall and relaxed. Take a deep breath. Make your exhalations longer than your inhalations. Practice for 2 minutes.
• Do 2-minute yoga practices, where you MOVE, BREATHE and CENTER . A yoga pose, deep breathing and focus on the present moment.
• The best yoga is yoga that is appropriate for your level and abilities. Find an instructor whom you love!
• Practice 2-minute yoga throughout your day! Kids can do it with you.

A good #yogainstructor keeps you SAFE, Happy & doing appropriate #yoga for you #30seconds https://t.co/iVvkkw2rf9

— Nicole DeAvilla (@NicoleDeAvilla) February 2, 2017

Q: Can you really practice yoga “anywhere, anytime?”

Yes! If you can breathe and control your breath you can do yoga! Any chance you get to move, breathe and center you can practice yoga. On a plane you can close your eyes and meditate – others will think you are sleeping! While you watch your kids play at home or at the playground you can practice yoga. I did yoga breathing, meditation and worked on my yoga energy centers and chakras while I nursed both my babies.

Q5: oh yes! @NicoleDeAvilla taught me how home, car. My neck and shoulders would be so tight I would get headaches. Love Nicole! #30Seconds https://t.co/6XV9oXct9z

— Meredith Schneider (@Merber38) February 2, 2017

Q: Can you explain what you mean by chakra and can it help heart health?

Chakras are energy centers in your body. For example, the heart chakra is located in front of your spine in the chest area. The heart chakra is said to work with your lungs and heart and relates to love, compassion and courage. Think of the saying “he/she has a broken heart.” We feel emotions in certain areas of our body and this is the love center. Yoga helps us identify where we are in balance emotionally or not and can work on the chakras to help create balanced emotions.

@NicoleDeAvilla that's absolutely amazing! didn't realize how beneficial yoga is! I always felt I was to silly to take it serious #30seconds

— 🎀Jessi🎀 (@idatchica87) February 2, 2017

Q: Where do you practice yoga therapy?

In person and online. With over 35 years of experience I can work effectively via Skype with my clients. I have new programs to help people target what they need most, including "Release the Stress, Feel the Love" for heart health. I work with moms, people who are busy and need fast effective results over the long run. You can DM me though Twitter, visit my website and get on my email list  here and find me on Instagram at @NicoleDeAvilla for inspiration and tips. Mention this chat and I will give you a 30 percent discount on any one service you choose!

Be sure to follow  @NicoleDeAvilla, like her on Facebook, visit The2MinuteYogaSolution.com and check out her 30Seconds page!

@NicoleDeAvilla thank you for sharing! I'm excited to learn more a yoga after tonight #30seconds chat

— 🎀Jessi🎀 (@idatchica87) February 2, 2017