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Yoga is one of the most gentle ways through which you can bring peace and calm in your life and also manage your blood pressure levels.
These yoga poses promote relaxation, improve blood circulation, and reduce stress.
Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a chronic condition in which the force of blood against the artery walls remains consistently elevated. Although it often presents no noticeable symptoms, hypertension can silently increase the risk of serious health issues such as heart attacks, heart failure, strokes, kidney damage and vision loss.
Managing high blood pressure typically involves long-term medication. However, effective control also depends on incorporating key lifestyle changes. Among these, yoga is widely recognised as a beneficial practice for helping to regulate blood pressure naturally.
Here are five yoga poses (asanas) that may help you lower your high blood pressure.
Shavasana
Translating to ‘corpse pose in English, Shavasana is a yoga pose that promotes relaxation of both the mind and the body, thereby reducing blood pressure. It works by relieving stress and other risk factors for hypertension. You can perform Shavasana by calmly lying on your back on a flat surface, with your arms resting alongside your torso and your legs, too, in a relaxed position.
Uttanasana
Also called the Standing Forward Bend, Uttanasana is a popular asana that is performed by bending forward in a manner that your fingertips touch your toes while your knees remain fully extended. This pose results in an increased flow of blood to the brain. The improved blood circulation in the body leads to a decrease in blood pressure.
Bhujangasana
Also known as the ‘Cobra Pose’, Bhujangasana helps improve blood and oxygen circulation throughout the body. It is not only a great tool for the management of stress levels, but also improves cardiovascular health. Bhujangasana can be performed by first lying flat on the ground in a face-down pose. With your hands placed under your shoulders, start raising your chest to arch it outwards and upwards. Keep inhaling while you slowly lift the torso. Hold your breath for a few seconds in the lifted position and breathe out gently as you release the pose.
Vrikshasana
The tree pose, originally called ‘Vrikshasana’, aids in the regulation of blood pressure. It enhances the practitioner’s balance, strength, and flexibility. Vrikshasana is performed by joining both palms above the head and, simultaneously, resting the right foot on the inner thigh of the other leg.
Setubandhasana
Setubandhasana, also known as the ‘bridge pose’, is a pose that results in a relaxed mind, which, in turn, helps reduce blood pressure.
- Location :
Delhi, India, India
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