Regular yoga practice keep hypertension away

According to one report about 20 per cent of adults worldwide suffer from hypertension, but most are unaware of it.

Hypertension is not a disease, but a sign of underlying problems due to imbalance in physical, emotional and mental levels resulting in imbalance of the nervous system, says Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy Director Dr B T Chidananda Murthy.

"The moment stress is there on the body, physical or mental,the result is oxygen demand increases and so does the work of the heart. If this happens over a period the heart becomes permanently strained and eventually stops properly functioning leading to serious and even lethal complications," he explains.

"Yoga improves physical, mental and spiritual health. It makes physiological reflexes, reactions and responses more alert, sensitive and subtle," says Dr Murthy.

Yoga helps in overcoming psychological stress and its ill effects on body. Yoga includes practice of Asanas (physical postures), pranayama (breathing exercises), Yoga Nidra (meditation) and Yogic Kriyas.

Yoga: Three reasons not to do Yoga posture – Camel

The Camel – (Ushtrasana)

Yoga posture Ushtrasana in a Sanskrit language means a camel, hence the name. The Camel is an advanced and powerful yoga posture, which should be only practiced by intermediate and advanced students in a full version. It opens up the whole front of the body and stimulates the respiratory, circulatory, nervous and endocrine systems.

The Camel pose is a yoga posture that should be done after the body is warmed up sufficiently as it provides a quite deep backbend. The yoga posture is a transition between the simpler prone backbend, the Bow pose (Dhanuranasa) and the more challenging backbend, the Wheel (Chakrasana).

After completing the Camel posture, always release the lower back by going into the counter pose, the Child’s pose (Shashankasana) and stay there for a while.

The yoga posture Camel is very beneficial for the digestive and reproductive systems. It stretches the stomach and intestines. This difficult backward bend loosens up the vertebrae and stimulates the spinal nerves, relieving rounded shoulders.

It stretches the spine, back muscles, shoulders and arms. It improves flexibility of the spine and improves posture. It opens the throat as it strengthens the neck muscles and increases blood flow to the brain.

It is a good workout for the ankles, thighs and groins, and it helps to tone the calf, neck and abdominal muscles.

The Camel has many benefits for the practitioner; however, in some health conditions this posture should not be practiced.

Three important reasons (out of many) not to do yoga posture – Camel:

1) Anyone with severe back problems such as Lumbago

(Lumbago is mild to severe pain or discomfort in the area of the lower back. It often occurs in younger people whose work involves physical effort but also not uncommon in older age.)

2) In case of Hital hernia do not attempt this yoga posture.(Hiatal hernia occurs in the chest area and affects the digestive system.)

3) In case of chronic knee or knee operation, or neck injury, avoid this yoga posture

Caution: Always check with your doctor if you have any doubts or concerns regarding the suitability of this pose for you. The reader of this article should exercise all precautions before deciding to attempt this posture and it is best to perform yoga posture in presence of qualified yoga teacher.

Issued in the interest of people practicingHatha yoga by Subodh Gupta, Yoga Expert based in London.

Mr.Subodh Gupta, a corporate yoga Trainer has conducted more than 500 workshops on Yoga and Stress Management. He has been interviewed by various TV channels in India and London