majority of the body weight tends to rest on the head or neck. If you have a neck injury, it’s best to
avoid these.
Backbends with feet and head on the floor–Ex. Inverted Tip Toe Bow Pose (Viparita Prapada
Dhanurasana), also known as Headstand Bow Pose (Shirsha Dhanurasana) here. Backbends
with head and feet on the floor require a lot of neck strength and should be avoided if you have a
neck concern.
CONDITION
- High Blood Pressure
If you think you may be at risk or have already been diagnosed with high blood pressure, it is
advisable to speak with your health care provider. Practicing yoga may help with blood pressure
management since it combines the benefits of meditation, muscle relaxation, and strength training
exercise. When practicing yoga poses, ensure that you are able to breathe comfortably and deeply.
If you have any difficulty breathing, come out of the pose and rest or perform an easier version of
the pose. If difficulty breathing persists, then consult your health care provider immediately.
BENEFICIAL POSES
Seated backbends–Ex. Hands Bound Lotus Pose (Baddha Hasta Padmasana) here. Seated
backbends gently open the chest and improve the flow of oxygen to the lungs. They release tension
in the chest and front shoulder heads often caused by stress and hunching over a computer on a
daily basis. This can help lower high blood pressure that is a result of stress.
Seated twists–Ex. Revolved Easy Pose (Parivritta Sukhasana) here. Seated twists help release
tension from the upper back and detoxify the body. This can help lower high blood pressure that is
a result of tension in the upper back.
Supine forward bends–Ex. Reclining Both Hands to the Leg Pose (Supta Dwi Hasta Padasana)
here. Supine forward bends stretch the hamstrings without increasing blood pressure, as opposed
to standing forward bends where the head is below the heart. This can help lower high blood
pressure that is a result of muscle tension of the lower back and legs.
POSES TO APPROACH WITH CAUTION
Inversions–Ex. Feet Spread Out Intense Stretch Pose 2 (Prasarita Padottanasana 2) here and
Crane Pose in Headstand 5 Prep. (Bakasana in Shirshasana 5 Prep.) here. Inversions should be
avoided if you have high blood pressure that is not controlled. They are very stimulating postures
since the head is below the heart, which causes an increased demand for oxygen. These increase
blood flow and heart rate, generating pressure to the blood vessels of the brain, and may cause
blood pressure to rise dramatically.
Lunges with back knee off the floor–Ex. Revolved Son of Anjani (Lord Hanuman) Lunge Pose
with Hands in Prayer (Parivritta Anjaneyasana Namaskar) here. These poses can require a lot of
lower body strength if you are not used to practicing them. They can raise the heart rate and
increase blood pressure.
