Yoga and High Blood Pressure

What is Blood Pressure? Every living animal on the planet has blood pressure; there is no exception to this rule. The blood flows through the body with certain pressure, but if the pressure is higher than the normal range then it is a disease, which is called High Blood Pressure or sometimes the blood pressure drops below the normal range, then it is called Low Blood Pressure. For the blood to reach all parts of the body, it has certain pressure. This pressure is created because of contraction of heart. Sometimes for various reasons these blood pressure increases, for example fearful situation, anger, anxiety, excessive thinking, mental tensions or even for physical exertion. During these situations the heart comes under extra workload. But when the situation changes and comes to normal, so also the blood pressure. This temporary change in Blood Pressure is not disease but when this Blood pressure remains high always, it becomes a disease.

Measuring BP The BP is not same everywhere; it is maximum close to heart from where the blood comes out and lowest where blood comes in to the heart. So always the BP is measured on the hands. There are 2 types of pressures, systolic and diastolic. Systolic Pressure is higher and indicates the contraction of heart and diastolic is when heart expands. The BP in healthy person is 120 mm / 80 mm, that is systolic 120mm and diastolic is 80mm. If the BP is greater orless by 15 mm to 20 mm than the normal range, it is considered as disease. There are various reasons for this high BP. Sometimes because of improper functioning of  kidneys, heart related problems or diabetes BP can go high, so if these diseases are treated then BP also comes to normal. But in 80 % of the cases there is no apparent reason, then  it is called "Essential Hypertension". The reason for this High BP is cannot be found on physical plane but can be traced to mental activities. High mental strain results in high BP. Modern medical science treats the BP but not the underlying reason that is mental strain. When you take medicines, the BP comes to normal  for sometime but when the effect of the medicines is over, the BP again rises. So the best remedy is to remove all underlying reasons for mental stress and strain. Yoga certainly helps achieve the stress free mind. There is no solution except removing all the strains on mind and control the mental activities. Yogasanas (Yoga Positions and Postures), Pranayama, Meditation, Yoga Nidra definitely help achieve the mental peace.

Yogasana - (Yoga Positions or Postures) Yoga Guru Patanjali has defined Yoga as 'Steady and comfortable state of Body and Mind means Asana'. || Sthirsukham Asanam || During any exercise the strain on muscles increases, the requirement for blood and oxygen increases but in Yogasanas the requirement goes down as there are no strains and every muscle is relaxed, the requirement for blood and oxygen goes down. This also reduces the strain on mind, the mind also becomes stable and focused. Also because of twists and stretched postures, the functioning of endocrine glands, digestive organs, heart and otherorgans improves. To achieve this even simple Yogasanas are helpful, one can easily practice these yogasanas and get the best for himself.

Pranayama Pranayama is control of breath, breathing & blood circulation system, heart have close relation between them. Also these are dependant on mental activities. If mental strain increases the breathing rate is affected. In Pranayama the breathing is controlled and the rate is reduced, which reduces the strain on heart and also the rate. This increases the stability of mind and mental activities are also controlled. Even simple breathing exercises like Deep Breathing, Quiet Breathing help reduce the mental stresses and strains. Also the Pranic force in the body is balanced with the regular practice of Pranayama, which restores the physical and mental balance. Some Pranayama techniques affect the functioning of nervous system, which again help restore the balance. Pranayama reduces the need of oxygen, so also the production of carbon dioxide. So the respiration rate reduces. In various Pranayama techniquesUjjayi Pranayama balances the Pranic flow of energy in the body. Ujjayi also affects carotid sinus, which help reduce BP. Nadishodhan Uncontrollability the Pranic flow. But people suffering from BP should not practice Kumbhaka (retention of breath) but only inhalation and exhalation.

Meditation Meditation is study of concentration. One should try to keep mind focused on one point or object, this concentration of mind has very effects on body and mind. Lot of research is going on around the world about the meditation and its effects. Some of the observed facts are listed below. 1. Balance is achieved in the functioning of nervous system. 2. Complete body is relaxed, which gives enough rest to the muscles and various organs. 3. Concentration, grasping power, memory increases and so also the will power. 4. One can handle stressful situations in efficient ways. 5. Balance is achieved in the functioning of Body Mind complex. 6. Brain functioning is improved. The basic meditations help achieve these results, it includes Omkar Meditation, Omkar chanting, Prana Meditation. Especially for High BP patients, Omkar chanting for 15 minutes everyday shows miraculous results.

Yoga Nidra Yoga Nidra is psychic sleep, this process is designed by Paramhansa Swami Satyananda Saraswati of Bihar School of Yoga. This process helps remove physical, emotional and mental strains very easily and effectively. It also helps focus the mind and removes negative elements. This Yoga Nidra is easy to practice and given results in short time.Even ½ hour daily practice helps.