High blood pressure is a condition that poses serious risks, which is why it is also known as the silent killer. Most people turn immediately to drugs when they learn they have high blood pressure. However, there are natural ways to prevent high blood pressure and reduce blood pressure, including yoga.
The medical community is beginning to embrace the idea that diet, lifestyle, stress reduction and exercise play an important role in maintaining health. For thousands of years before there was blood pressure medicines, people were keeping blood pressure under control with yoga.
There are several yoga postures that are known to offer benefits for blood pressure. Some of the poses that can help reduce blood pressure and prevent high blood pressure including downward facing dog, seated forward bend, camel pose and final relaxation pose.
In addition to the physical practice of yoga, people who practice yoga tend to make other positive lifestyle choices that can benefit blood pressure and reduce heart attack risk. Yoga helps to reduce stress, which can contribute to high blood pressure. Through the breathing and movements of yoga, the heart rate is lowered and the entire body is relaxed.
People who practice yoga may also practice meditation, which has been shown in several studies to have a positive effect on blood pressure. Meditation is very helpful for stress relief, relaxation, and letting go of anger, stress and anxiety. Even a few minutes of meditation has proven to be effective for many people. Many forms of yoga incorporate meditation and many yogis also practice meditation, so the stress relief benefits are greatly enhanced.
The yoga lifestyle is natural and healthy, including the diet. The foods we eat impact blood pressure. While not all yogis eat whole and natural foods, many try to include healthy foods and limit processed foods. Making changes in the diet can reduce blood pressure, prevent high blood pressure and reduce heart attack risk.