Whether it is caused by work, your kids or your spouse, stress can have many negative effects on your body, including high blood pressure. The MayoClinic.com reports that stress causes your body to release hormones; in turn your blood pressure rises and your blood vessels narrow, which cause your heart to beat faster. Stress may also lead to self-destructive behavior, which can contribute to high blood pressure, including smoking, drinking and eating unhealthy foods. Yoga can lower your blood pressure by helping you to release stress.
About Yoga
Yoga has been in existence for thousands of years; the MayoClinic.com refers to yoga as "a mind-body type of complementary and alternative medicine practice." The practice of yoga combines physical poses, which help to increase strength and flexibility, with breathing exercises and techniques. Along with reducing stress and therefore lowering blood pressure, yoga can increase your fitness level, aid in weight loss, calm anxiety, help with insomnia and boost your mood.
Big Toe Pose
Forward folds help to calm the brain and relieve stress, so poses such as the Big Toe Pose are often recommended for tension and high blood pressure. Yoga Journal instructs you to stand with your feet parallel and about 6 inches apart. Contract your abdominals and bend forward from your hip joints. Take hold of a big toe in each hand with your index and middle fingers; you may bend your legs if you need to. Try to hold the position for one minute and release, returning to a standing position very slowly.
Seated Forward Bend
Forward bends are also beneficial. To do this pose, sit on the floor with your legs stretched out in front of you, feet flexed. Engage your abdominals and again bend from your hips to reach for your feet. If you cannot reach, either bend your knees or use the assistance of a strap. Yoga Journal advises that you stay in the pose for one to three minutes.
Corpse Pose
Corpse Pose is a pose of total relaxation and usually done at the end of a yoga practice. To do this pose, lie on your back on a yoga mat. Spread your legs about hips' width apart with your feet relaxed and your arms relaxed by your sides with your palms facing up. Slowly breathe in and out through your nose. Try to stay in the pose for five minutes.
Yoga Class
People of all ages and ability levels can practice and benefit from yoga. If you are practicing in order to lower your blood pressure, look for a yoga class that is called Hatha, gentle or restorative. Be sure to talk to your teacher before class and let them know of your medical condition so that they are able to provide help, tips and modifications during class.
