| Bikram is said to have wonderful effects on people | | | | - Cobra |
| suffering from high blood pressure levels. It is believed | | | | - The third part of Locust |
| to normalize the pressure of blood over time, which | | | | - Full Locust |
| makes it an excellent alternative to medication. Caution | | | | - The Camel |
| should be used though by people suffering from | | | | What poses to practice: |
| hypertension when practicing hot yoga. | | | | The poses of Bikram that are encouraged by |
| Hot Yoga has been proven to be quite diligent in | | | | instructors to reduce hypertension are listed below, but |
| responding to high blood pressure; at times it leaves | | | | please note that you should always seek a doctors |
| non believer medical practitioners doubtful about their | | | | advice before practicing any of the following: |
| b.p. monitoring kits. Bikram tends to normalize high blood | | | | - Easy pose |
| pressure within two weeks of practice. People suffer | | | | - Shoulder stretches |
| from high blood pressure when the arteries shrink in | | | | - Stand spread leg forward fold |
| size resulting in increased pressure. Normally when | | | | - Cat Pose |
| blood pressure levels are equal to or above 140/90, it | | | | - Half Spine Twist |
| is considered hypertension. | | | | - Wind Relieving Pose |
| Hypertension can be caused by many common | | | | - Double leg raises |
| factors most frequent of which are stress, injury, | | | | The above listed poses are required to be done with a |
| obesity and excessive smoking or alcohol use. So how | | | | specific breathing technique called the Anuloma Viloma, |
| does Bikram help high blood pressure? Well the | | | | which is also called the Alternate Nostril Breathing |
| answer is quite simple, yoga lifestyle management | | | | Technique. This way of breathing requires you to inhale |
| tends to relax both the body and mind, by going | | | | through one nostril, retain the breath for a few |
| through a range of exercises that reduces the stress | | | | seconds and exhale through the other. It helps in |
| levels which in turn leads to normalized body functions | | | | bringing down the heart rate, so it is the preferred |
| including blood pressure. | | | | breathing technique for hypertension patients. |
| What to avoid: | | | | As with any form of treatment or wellness therapy, it |
| When practiced with the correct amount of caution, | | | | is extremely important to use common sense and |
| Bikram yoga proves to be very helpful in decreasing | | | | caution while following your yoga regime. High pressure |
| high lblood pressure. Although hot yoga leads its | | | | levels, if not monitored or treated correctly can lead to |
| participants through a series of 26 yoga postures, | | | | other serious health problems. So please always |
| hypertension patients are advised not to engage in the | | | | inform your instructor if you suffer from high blood |
| following poses until their pressure returns to normal | | | | pressure and be sure to rest during each set of |
| levels: | | | | exercises. Initially all hypertension patients should not |
| - The backward bending portion of Half Moon | | | | overdo their yoga routine. They should start by doing |
| - The Standing Bow Pulling | | | | only 5-7 counts of each pose in the beginning and later |
| - Balancing Stick | | | | build it up to a higher count. |