Care2 Healthy Living/Jordyn Cormier: Got High Blood Pressure? Try Yoga Instead of Meds.

Care2 Healthy Living | Got High Blood Pressure? Try Yoga Instead of Meds.
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Got High Blood Pressure? Try Yoga Instead of Meds.
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    By: Jordyn Cormier
    September 10, 2018

    About Jordyn

About 12 million Americans take medication for high blood pressure. In fact, there is probably someone close to you that is either on medication or struggling with their blood pressure levels. It’s a rampant issue.

Blood pressure meds come with a host of unpleasant side effects, like cough, fatigue, headache, dizziness, and even diarrhea—not ideal. But it turns out there may be a way better solution that is as effective as drugs without all the unwanted side effects. It’s yoga.
Yoga for High Blood Pressure

According to a recent study, a regular yoga practice is as effective as pharmaceutical interventions at reducing high blood pressure.

We’re not talking about dedicating your life to becoming a yogi. It only takes 15 minutes of daily practice to reap these benefits. In fact, not even daily practice. All it takes is five days a week of 15 minute practice to reduce blood pressure are much as popular drugs! Could it be any easier?
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Got High Blood Pressure? Try Yoga Instead of Meds.

The study, backed by the Cambridge Cardiac Care Centre in Canada, assigned individuals a practice of relaxation, deep breathing, stretching, or yoga for five days a week. Participants followed their practice for three months, at which point they tested participant blood pressure levels and compared them to their starting levels.

Not surprisingly, those given the vague practice of relaxation experienced no change in blood pressure. Stretchers experienced a 4.5 percent decrease in pressure while deep breathers experienced a 7.1 percent decrease. But those who regularly adhered to a short yoga practice demonstrated an incredible 9.7 percent decrease in their blood pressure over a mere three months!

Believe it or not, that rivals the amount a patient can expect their blood pressure to be lowered by popular pharmaceuticals alone (which is generally between 10 and 20 percent).

Of course, this study was small—it only involved 60 volunteers—but it does confirm that popping a pill is not the only effective solution to high blood pressure levels. Yoga is easily accessible, doesn’t require insurance, and can be done at home using YouTube videos for free.

And most importantly, it only comes with beneficial side effects, like improved mood, a more positive outlook, increased mindfulness, and a healthier self-image. Beat that, diarrhea!
Getting Started with Yoga

Starting a yoga practice can be intimidating, but all you have to do is pop in to your local yoga studio and ask for information on how to start. Or, just look up some beginner’s video on the internet if you’re more comfortable practicing and learning the lingo within the comfort of your own home.

You can also check out these simple yoga poses for beginners.



Remember, it doesn’t take much to experience real benefits, so it is absolutely a practice that is worthy of your time and health.
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52 comments
Chrissie R
Chrissie Rabout an hour ago

Elevated blood pressure...not hypertension!
SEND
Amanda M
Amanda M1 hours ago

Thanks for sharing
SEND
Amanda M
Amanda M1 hours ago

Thanks for sharing
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Marija M
Marija M2 hours ago

;) love yoga...
SEND
Melanie S
Melanie S3 hours ago

Tyfs
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Kathy G
Kathy G4 hours ago

Thank you
SEND
Kathy G
Kathy G4 hours ago

Thank you
SEND
Georgina Elizab M
Georgina Elizab M4 hours ago

tyfs
SEND
Renata B
Renata B6 hours ago

I do Dru Yoga, which is a mix of Yoga and Tai Chi: very beautiful.
SEND
Amparo Fabiana C
Amparo Fabiana C7 hours ago

Yoga is an ancient practice, it really heels and is not that difficult, just try it little by little.
SEND
view all 52 comments
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