What
is Blood Pressure??
Every
living animal on the planet has blood pressure; there is no
exception to this rule. The blood flows through the body with
certain pressure, but if the pressure is higher than the normal
range then it is a disease, which is called High Blood Pressure
or sometimes the blood pressure drops below the normal range,
then it is called Low Blood Pressure.
For
the blood to reach all parts of the body, it has certain pressure.
This pressure is created because of contraction of heart. Sometimes
for various reasons these blood pressure increases, for example
fearful situation, anger, anxiety, excessive thinking, mental
tensions or even for physical exertion. During these situations
the heart comes under extra workload. But when the situation
changes and comes to normal, so also the blood pressure. This
temporary change in Blood Pressure is not disease but when this
Blood pressure remains high always, it becomes a disease.
Measuring
BP
The
BP is not same everywhere; it is maximum close to heart from
where the blood comes out and lowest where blood comes in to
the heart. So always the BP is measured on the hands. There
are 2 types of pressures, systolic and diastolic. Systolic Pressure
is higher and indicates the contraction of heart and diastolic
is when heart expands. The BP in healthy person is 120 mm /
80 mm, that is systolic 120mm and diastolic is 80mm. If the
BP is greater or less by 15 mm to 20 mm than the normal range,
it is considered as disease.
There are various reasons for this high BP. Sometimes because
of improper functioning of kidneys, heart related problems or
diabetes BP can go high, so if these diseases are treated then
BP also comes to normal. But in 80 % of the cases there is no
apparent reason, then it is called "Essential Hypertension".
The reason for this High BP is cannot be found on physical plane
but can be traced to mental activities. High mental strain results
in high BP. Modern medical science treats the BP but not the
underlying reason that is mental strain. When you take medicines,
the BP comes to normal for sometime but when the effect of the
medicines is over, the BP again rises. So the best remedy is
to remove all underlying reasons for mental stress and strain.
Yoga certainly helps achieve the stress free mind. There is
no solution except removing all the strains on mind and control
the mental activities. Yogasanas (Yoga Positions and Postures),
Pranayama, Meditation, Yoga Nidra definitely help achieve the
mental peace.
Yogasana
- (Yoga Positions or Postures)
Yoga
Guru Patanjali has defined Yoga as 'Steady and comfortable state
of Body and Mind means Asana'. || Sthirsukham Asanam ||
During any exercise the strain on muscles increases, the requirement
for blood and oxygen increases but in Yogasanas the requirement
goes down as there are no strains and every muscle is relaxed,
the requirement for blood and oxygen goes down. This also reduces
the strain on mind, the mind also becomes stable and focused.
Also because of twists and stretched postures, the functioning
of endocrine glands, digestive organs, heart and other organs
improves. To achieve this even simple Yogasanas are helpful,
one can easily practice these yogasanas and get the best for
himself.
Please
check following links for various asanas.
Yogasanas - Yoga Positions or
Postures
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Pranayama
-
Pranayama
is control of breath, breathing & blood circulation system,
heart have close relation between them. Also these are dependant
on mental activities. If mental strain increases the breathing
rate is affected. In Pranayama the breathing is controlled and
the rate is reduced, which reduces the strain on heart and also
the rate. This increases the stability of mind and mental activities
are also controlled.
Even simple breathing exercises like Deep
Breathing, Quiet Breathing
help reduce the mental stresses and strains.
Also the Pranic force in the body is balanced with the regular
practice of Pranayama, which restores the physical and mental
balance. Some Pranayama techniques affect the functioning of
nervous system, which again help restore the balance.
Pranayama reduces the need of oxygen, so also the production
of carbon dioxide. So the respiration rate reduces. In various
Pranayama techniques Ujjayi
Pranayama balances the Pranic flow of energy in the body.
Ujjayi also affects carotid sinus, which help reduce BP. Nadishodhan
Pranayama controls the Pranic flow. But people suffering
from BP should not practice Kumbhaka (retention of breath) but
only inhalation and exhalation.
Please
check following links for various Pranayama techniques.
Pranayama
Meditation
Meditation is study of concentration. One should try to keep
mind focused on one point or object, this concentration of mind
has very effects on body and mind. Lot of research is going
on around the world about the meditation and its effects. Some
of the observed facts are listed below.
1. Balance is achieved in the functioning of nervous system.
2. Complete body is relaxed, which gives enough rest to the
muscles and various organs.
3. Concentration, grasping power, memory increases and so
also the will power.
4. One can handle stressful situations in efficient ways.
5. Balance is achieved in the functioning of Body Mind complex.
6. Brain functioning is improved.
The
basic meditations help achieve these results, it includes Omkar
Meditation, Omkar chanting, Prana Meditation. Especially for
High BP patients, Omkar chanting for 15 minutes everyday shows
miraculous results.
Please
check following links for various Meditation techniques.
Omkar Chanting
Prana Meditation
Meditation (Theory)
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Yoga
Nidra
Yoga
Nidra is psychic sleep, this process is designed by Paramhansa
Swami Satyananda Saraswati of Bihar School of Yoga. This process
helps remove physical, emotional and mental strains very easily
and effectively. It also helps focus the mind and removes negative
elements. This Yoga Nidra is easy to practice and given results
in short time. Even ½ hour daily practice helps.
Please
check following links for Yoga Nidra.
Yoga Nidra
--Yogacharya
Vishwas Mandlik
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