The heart pumps fresh, healthy blood to all the organs in the body through a network of arteries. Whenever there is an imbalance in the body, triggered by emotional or physical stress, it puts a massive strain on the arteries and makes it harder for them to carry the blood to their final destinations. When this happens, the heart tries to compensate by increasing pressure on the arteries in an effort to get the blood to the organs. This change in pressure causes havoc in the body. When the pressure deviates higher or lower than the normal level, it leads to conditions of high and low blood pressure respectively.
High blood pressure can be controlled by the use of strong medication. However these result in lifelong dependency and side effects. It is for this reason that many people opt for yoga and meditation techniques (in addition to medication) to maintain and control blood pressure more effectively.
Yoga And High Blood Pressure
It is a well known fact that physical activity helps reduce the risks of high blood pressure. However straining and stressing the body (as happens with conventional exercise regimes) will harm the body as well. Yoga is a gentle form of exercise that involves a series of postures that work and stretch the muscles; at the same time they also ensure that the body is relaxed and calm. Yoga postures are static and therefore require only a small amount of blood and oxygen to take form. This ensures there is no additional strain on the body and the muscles are always relaxed, and yet active.
In addition yoga helps treat the body. It improves blood circulation and also helps flush out the toxins and tension. As circulation improves the body is more alert and there is a significant positive change in mood and spirit. The body feels energized and light. As the level of stress reduced, the immune system gets a boost.
The main trigger for high blood pressure is stress. If you beat the stress, it’s half the battle won. The quickest way to beat stress is to change and improve your breathing and posture. Yoga introduces and teaches you these lifestyle changes. Through the regular practice of yoga you learn to breathe fully and utilize complete lung capacity. This ensures a greater supply of oxygen to the body, improving circulation vastly. Yoga also strengthens your back and abdominal muscles. This helps you improve your posture, which releases the pressure on your heart and lungs, and allows you to breathe properly.
Similarly through meditation you can train the mind to control thought and its own environment. Meditation involves concentrating one’s attention on a single point in an effort to control thought and the ability to calm the mind (and with it the body). Through the practice of meditation you can easily detach yourself from conflict situation and rise above the stress and calm the body and mind.
