Can Forward Bends in Yoga Help High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure seems to be running rampant in this country. It is estimated that 1 in 3 Americans suffer some form of high blood pressure, whether mild to severe.

Stress is one of the leading causes of hypertension. In today's rat race, everyone is in a hurry. The crime rates in our cities and lack of moral values often send our stress levels in a down ward spiral.

Other factors leading to high blood pressure include being over weight, high consumption of alcohol over a period of time, and lack of exercise and physical activity.

Yoga practice can help alleviate two of the causes; reducing stress and getting you active, both of which will help you lose weight with continued practice and can lower your blood pressure.

Yale University concluded that a certain yoga practice had more impact on lowering blood pressure than diet and may work better than some medications prescribed for hypertension.

Iyengar Yoga is the practice suggested by the study because it is a gentle form of yoga and less aerobic than other forms. B.K.S. Iyengar devised several props for people to get the greatest benefits of yoga. Iyengar understood that some people have physical limitations and he wanted those people to reap the benefits of yoga as well. It is hoped that over time, one would be able to lessen the use of props as their strength and flexibility flourish.

Seated twists and gentle back bends are recommended to avoid putting any added stress on the arteries. People with high blood pressure should avoid inverted poses as well because of the pressure placed inside the head.

Advanced backward bends are cautioned as well because of the stress put on the chest wall. Excess stress on the chest wall does effect stress on the heart.

Good poses to use for hypertension include; Bharadvaga's Twist, Marichi's Twist, Reclining Bound Angle Pose, Plow Pose, Head of the Knee Pose, and Seated Forward Bend.

Daily meditation is also recommended. Studies show that hypertension patients who meditate on a regular basis maintain better control over their condition than those who don't meditate at all.

Daily meditation and a simple easy yoga practice can help you be on your way to lowering your blood pressure naturally. Please check with your doctor before starting any new exercise program and keep your blood pressure monitored for changes. Mild to moderate cases of high blood pressure may be alleviated enough to reduce medication. This is another reason you need to keep your blood pressure monitored.