Wellness

Dr. Annapoorna Kini, the Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and Interventional Cardiology Fellowship Program at The Mount Sinai Hospital is a leader in promoting yoga to physicians and staff at the hospital. In 2020, she was appointed Associate Director of Wellness for Mount Sinai Heart. She has hosted yoga sessions for each year for International Yoga Day on June 21st, a 5k Run & Yoga event in Central Park for the last 7 years and several holiday yoga sessions for Mount Sinai Heart employees and their families. She is now beginning a yoga program for Fellows to encourage balance, wellness and education. Last December Dr. Annapoorna Kini debuted her “Yoga for the Interventionalist” video series, as you can see in the videos on this page.

“It was obvious to me how the heavy lead suit and long hours of performing stressful procedures would take a toll on me. There are so many interventional cardiologists who have needed spinal surgery of the notorious L5-S1 segment. Many more endure daily back pain, have restricted mobility with time. Of course, to continue this difficult profession that we love, we have to stay in good shape. A good posture, daily exercise and avoiding rotation of the spine while wearing lead - these are all important and they contribute to longevity in the cath lab. Over two decades, I have noticed how much yoga helps me to focus and to have concentration. It is also my best anti-stress tool. Without yoga, I could never have reached the heights that I have attained. It is as simple as that. Physical injury and mental anguish would have taken their toll. Yoga has kept me healthy and happy in the cath lab, and at home, where I seamlessly switch roles to a loving wife and a mother. I believe that yoga is particularly beneficial to the interventional cardiologist. I am also convinced that it helps patients, in particular, the cardiac patient.”

The goal of this video series is to demonstrate yoga poses that are particularly beneficial for interventional cardiologists. They are specifically directed to help the neck, back and mind.

Dr. Kini’s goal is to motivate, share her knowledge and passion for yoga with other Interventionalists to improve their quality of life while they work long hours in the Cath Lab.