Chronic stress takes a toll on the body, raising the risk of heart disease by increasing inflammation and blood pressure. So, you need to relax — but easier said than done, of course. Heart doctors often prescribe stress-reduction techniques for patients, but how do they reduce stress in the ir own busy lives? For Dr. Annapoorna Kini, a cardiologist at the Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital in New York, one “calming” practice in particular is a must, she tells TODAY.com. Heart health tip of the day: Do yoga to calm the mind and body Kini calls yoga her “best anti-stress tool.” “Without yoga, I could never have reached the heights that I have attained. It is as simple as that,” she writes on her website. “Physical injury and mental anguish would have taken their toll. Yoga has kept me healthy and happy in the cath lab, and at home. … I am also convinced that it helps patients, in particular, the cardiac patient.” The cardiologist aims to do yoga every day, practicing it on her own for 10-15 minutes daily during the week and with a yoga teacher for 45 minutes on the weekends. She likes the flow style of yoga. Why it matters The health benefits of yoga are powerful and varied, including improved flexibility, strength and coordination; relief from stress and anxiety; plus enhanced balance, mobility and joint health. “The most important benefit in the heart is the breathing technique. So it’s very important people learn how to breathe,” Kini tells TODAY.com. “Slow breathing, deep breathing — the natural movement changes the length of the phrenic nerve and can control your heart rate. So that’s good for everybody and good for the heart patient.” Yoga breathing is more deliberate and controlled than routine daily breathing done on automatic pilot, explains Stephanie Mansour, a TODAY Fitness contributor who is a certified personal trainer, and a yoga and Pilates instructor. Kini also appreciates yoga’s mental health benefits. “Especially if you can meditate, listen to music and get your mind off the busy schedule and don’t look at the phone for the 45-50 minutes that you’re doing yoga,” Kini says. “All this helps the stress release.” How to get started Choose your style of yoga — slow, fast, gentle, restorative — and go for it. You could start with this easy 10-minute flow for beginners. Most anyone can do yoga. It’s low-impact and doesn’t require intense exertion — unless you go for power yoga, which can be a powerful workout. Kini recommends chair yoga for heart patients and other people who need to ease into a workout or have mobility issues. The cardiologist demonstrates the yoga poses and breathing techniques she practices on her website. Besides yoga, Kini also does Pilates, weights and cardio. Any kind of moderate-intensity exercise helps to release endorphins, dopamine and serotonin, she says. “All these good hormones get released, and that (creates) stress relief, makes you a happy person,” Kini notes. Download the Start TODAY app for full-body yoga flows that incorporate meditation and breathing exercises. You’ll also find meal plans and workouts designed for every fitness level. This story first appeared on TODAY.com. More from TODAY: This Is the First Question a Therapist Asks When Diagnosing Depression. Here’s Why Here’s Exactly How Often to Eat Fish to Support Brain Health, According to a Dietitian The 4 Biggest Red Flags to Look for in Your Family Medical History ...read more read less