Yoga Therapies
Yoga Remedies >> High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is another gift of our developing age. The more developed and more affluent nations have a larger number of people suffering from high blood pressure. One adult out of twenty is afflicted by high blood pressure. More than 25 million people in America are borderline hypertension patients. The largest number of such patients are in Australia. The credit for ending the largest number of lives goes to high blood pressure. Modern medicine has not been able to give any definite or satisfactory reason for the cause of this ailment. Of course, much research has been done, much literature written and many theories have been offered. But naturopathy believes that bad health habits and diet are primarily responsible for this disease.

What is Blood Pressure
The blood in the arteries is maintained under pressure. This pressure rises as the blood is forced onward by a heart-beat, and then falls as the blood moves along. Thus blood pressure is a measurement of both the maximum and minimum pressures of blood. One of he two phases of the cardiac cycle is called systole. In this the ventricles contract to expel blood into the arteries. The second phase, when the heart rests is called diastole. There is very little pressure during diastole. When blood pressure is measured both systolic and diastolic pressures have to be measured. The normal systolic value for a young man is 120 and the diastolic value is 80. This will vary slightly in different people. It may also very under different circumstances, depending upon physical or mental conditions. It becomes higher due to mental tension. Normally, it starts increasing with age. It also increases due to obesity. Excitement, hard labour, worry, fear and anger also affect blood pressure.

None of the modern drugs can cure high blood pressure. They only suppress it. No medicine can make the blood vessels elastic once the elasticity has been lost. Very rich food and lack of exercise make one lost this elasticity. The disease can only be cured if this elasticity is restored.

Signs of High Blood Pressure
The common symptoms of this disease are headaches, giddiness and tension around the eyes. In a prolonged case, the eyes can even be blinded or can start bleeding. Death can be caused by the bursting of a blood vessel in the brain. The patients tire very easily, some sweat frequently, the heart-beat quickens, and some feel an emptiness in the head.

Yogasan Practice
High blood pressure patients should not practice difficult asans as this can be harmful. Begin with Tanasan and Shavasan. After one week, add mock-cycling to the practice. Shavasan must always be performed at the end of every asan practice session. Shavasan relaxes the body and it very beneficial for high blood pressure patients. After three weeks, start performing Tanasan for 3 minutes and mocks cycling for 5 minutes. Pawan Muktasan, Paschimottanasan, Bhujangasan, Shalabhasan and Shavasan should also be started. These asans should be repeated according to your strength. In the fourth week include Sarvangasan and Matsyasan in the above-mentioned regimen of asans. Increase the duration of Sarvangasan gradually.