How far Yoga is effective in the management of blood pressure?:

Yogic way is not only subsidizing the external symptoms, but also combats the causes of blood pressure. It helps to regularize the blood flow and balance the autonomous nervous system.

High blood pressure adversely affects various systems in our body viz. respiratory, nervous systems, heart, lungs etc. The regular practice of asanas, pranayamas, mudras, and bhandas all influence the blood circulation, but without taxing the circulatory system. Many scientific studies have proved that during the practice of yoga, the blood vessels get relaxed, heart rate reduced and thus blood pressure comes to the normal level.

Asanas which are most suitable for the management of blood pressure include forward bends (for regulating high blood pressure), inverted postures (for regulating low blood pressure), relaxation techniques, breathing techniques (without retention). However, the forward bends should be done with utmost caution. Regular yoga practice brings a feeling of inner happiness, contentment and tranquility. Such people will never feel stress in their life; even in stressful situations they can manage themselves well with a serene mind.

The most important technique using in yoga for BP management is relaxation postures and particularly shavasana (corpse posture). In shavasana the cells get a conscious sleep and no agitation occurs in the cell-level. The horizontal position of the spine in shavasana allows the heart to slow down. The sympathetic nervous system gets rested and this has a positive effect on the other systems. Blood pressure becomes stable when the sense organs, the brain and the sympathetic nervous system are relaxed.

Next to asanas, pranayama (regulated breathing techniques) also play a vital role. There are various breathing techniques in traditional yogic practice. All are not suitable for blood pressure patients. Nadishodhana (Nadi Suddhi) (Anuloma-viloma), Sitali/Sitkari/Sadanta is found very effective. It has been observed that the workload on the cardiac function is less in padmasana/vajrasana than that of sitting on a chair. Pranayamas remove tension from the ribs and the intercostal muscles. This helps the person to breathe easily.

Shavasana and pranayama helps to control the automatic nervous system and the sympathetic tone gets reduced. As the mind and senses of perception are withdrawn, the blood pressure regularizes.

But it should always be remembered that those who are suffering from any kind of disease should not start practicing yoga by their own self; they should consult a competent yoga therapist.