Anyone with hypertension can benefit with the practice of yoga. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a serious condition affecting the lives of many. It is classified as a silent illness because most people show few or no symptoms for many years.

Blood pressure is determined by the amount of blood your heart pumps and the amount of resistance to blood flow in your arteries. So, the more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your arteries, the higher your blood pressure.What is hypertension?
Hypertension is a condition where the pressure of the blood is continually elevated.

Types of hypertension: There are two forms of hypertension: essential (primary) or secondary. Essential hypertension tends to develop gradually over many years. According to the American Heart Association, 90-95% cases do not have an identifiable cause. Secondary hypertension is the result of another, or  secondary condition. This form of hypertension makes up about 5-10% of cases.

Risk Factors:

Age, race, family history, excess weight, sedentary lifestyle, tobacco use, sodium intake, low potassium intake, excess alcohol and stress.
Certain chronic diseases may also increase risk, including diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep apnea and kidney disease. Typically, adults who work more than 40-50  hours per week are more likely to have hypertension than those who work less than 40 hours or less each week.

Surprisingly, Kids too

Although hypertension is most commonly associated with adults, children can be at risk. This risk increases if the child has a heart or kidney condition, poor diet and lack of exercise.  Yoga and Hypertension

 Anyone with hypertension can benefit with the practice of yoga. Incorporating asana (body postures), pranayama (breath control practices) and Yoga Nidra (guided deep relaxation) is ideal. One important factor is program to help balance the body’s circulatory and endocrine systems.

What You Shouldn't Do

• Forward bends where the head drops below the level of the heart
• Dynamic asanas
• Vitalizing pranayama

What You Should Do

• Yoga practices to balance the circulatory and endocrine systems
• Mindful movements that are slow, controlled and synchronized with the breath
• Cooling, balancing and tranquilizing pranayama
• Yoga Nidra
• Meditation
• Personal sessions ideal

A group yoga class can seem ideal, but this setting can hinder the healing process. Group classes are structured with a general approach to health and well-being and cannot specifically cater to individual needs. Unless the instructor is knowledgeable of poses which are contraindicated for hypertension, it is possible you may aggravate the condition.

Start a Yoga Program

A qualified yoga instructor will structure a specific yogic health and wellness program to suit anyone suffering from hypertension. If you are interested in yoga to relieve the effects of hypertension and stress, contact all elements yoga for a free consultation.