In addition to building lean muscle mass, increasing flexibility and relieving stress, a regular yoga practice can aid in the treatment of numerous medical conditions, including high blood pressure. Many yoga poses can help to alleviate both the causes and the symptoms of high blood pressure, according to renowned yoga master B.K.S. Iyengar, as reported on Yoga.com. Iyengar explains that the right yoga practice can help to regulate and stabilize your blood pressure by balancing the autonomous nervous system, which is the stress control center in your body. In addition to the physiological effect, yoga can have a positive mental and emotional impact from taking time out to focus on your breath, which can help you to lower your blood pressure by forgetting about your stress and problems for a while.
The Right Yoga for You
Step 1
Practice yoga two to five times per week to maximize the mental and physical benefits. The more you do yoga, the greater impact it will have on your body and mind.
Step 2
Find the right type of practice that fits your needs. Everyone requires something different when it comes to relieving stress. If you prefer to slow down and need a chance to catch your breath, try a gentle or restorative yoga. On the other hand, if you prefer to burn stress off through vigorous activity, then you may like vinyasa flow or ashtanga yoga.
Step 3
Learn how to do a few of the poses that are beneficial for high blood pressure on your own so that you are able to practice them at home whenever you feel an overwhelming sense of stress.
Forward Bend
Step 1
Practice forward bend. Along with high blood pressure, forward bend can help to stretch your hamstrings and lower back while stimulating your kidneys, liver and digestion system, and relieving sinus issues.
Step 2
Stand with your feet together and face forward.
Step 3
Bend at your hips and bring your chest toward your knees and your head toward the floor.
Step 4
Place your hands on the floor beside each foot. If you cannot reach the floor, you may bend your knees or place each hand on a yoga block.
Step 5
Hold the pose for 30 to 60 seconds and then slowly roll back up to standing position.
Bridge Pose
Step 1
Try bridge pose, which is beneficial for high blood pressure, abdominal organs, lungs, thyroid and stretching the entire front of your body.
Step 2
Lie on your back on a yoga mat with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor, about hip-width apart.
Step 3
Extend your arms alongside your torso, palms facing down.
Step 4
Press your feet, shoulders and arms into the floor as you lift your pelvis and thighs toward the ceiling.
Step 5
Hold the pose for 30 seconds. Repeat for a total of three to five rounds.
Bow Pose
Step 1
Complete three rounds of bow pose. Along with blood pressure, bow pose can help with your digestion and posture while stretching your shoulders, hip flexors and chest.
Step 2
Lie facedown on your yoga mat with your legs extended straight behind you.
Step 3
Lift your head and shoulders toward the ceiling. Simultaneously lift your legs off the floor.
Step 4
Bend your knees while you reach back and take an ankle in each hand, so that just your pelvis remains on the floor and your body is in a bow shape.
Step 5
Kick your feet back to intensity the stretch in your shoulders and on the front of your body. Hold for 20 seconds Complete a total of three rounds.
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