Have you ever heard your yoga teacher ask about blood pressure before offering inversions to their students?  Many don't, but should.  I do, sometimes, but I'm not consistent.

A pose is considered an inversion any time the head is lower than the heart and/or the legs and truck are above the heart.  Yes, it's the headstand, shoulderstand and handstand, but did you know that downward dog and bridge pose are mild inversions?  The lower the head and the higher the legs (like in headstand) the stronger the inversion.

Like obesity, high blood pressure, also called hypertension, is mostly preventable, however 1 in 3 have it.  It's the contributing factor in people's first heart attack, stroke and heart failure.  Thirty percent of our population has pre-hypertension, numbers that are higher than normal and these folks are at the greatest risk for sliding into the high blood pressure range.  High blood pressure is one of the factors of metabolic syndrome, along with obesity, diabetes or pre-diabetes and high cholesterol.  

Rightfully so, most people see yoga as a practice to help one's health. Especially due to the relaxing aspects of yoga it could help lower blood pressure via general health improvement and reduced stress.  Inverted poses are regularly offered in yoga classes.  It is theorized that while upside down the effect of gravity on the blood vessels can strengthen the vessel walls by stretching them.  But, according to Roger Cole(1), he knows of no controlled scientific study that any "specific restorative asana sequence reduces blood pressure."  However, he adds, "that a restorative yoga practice might be an especially good way to lower blood pressure."

Inversions are contraindicated, according to Mr. Cole, when blood pressure is high.  (Heh, teachers, you may have students in your class that know or do know that they have high blood pressure.)  The recommendation is that students with high blood pressure get their doctors OK before attempting inversions.  Mr. Cole has found that some doctors give thumbs up to inversions if the patients blood pressure has been brought to normal (via medication).  However, other do not agree.  A student, with his doctor's advice, should make the decision whether to invert.

If a student's high blood pressure has been brought under control and with a doctor's permission then, "if you choose to introduce inversions  I recommend starting with the mildest ones first," suggests Mr. Cole.  A good starting pose would be supported bridge pose on a very low prop.  The head could be raised to further reduce the blood pressure in the head.  If the students responds favorably, then you could continue to lower the head and/or raise the legs or heart.  

Teachers:  After a doctors OK, encourage your students to go slowly, only holding mild inversions for a short time and increasing the angle over time. 

Students: Check in with your medical doc and see what they say about inversions.  If they give you the OK, let your yoga teacher know about your condition and only do inversions that you feel are appropriate for your experience, overall health and comfort. 

teacher and a research scientist specializing in the physiology of relaxation, sleep, and biological rhythms.

It's fun to get friends together.  Treat your friends to Yoga and Tea rather than Food and Booze.  Inviting friends to come together for a Gentle or Restorative Yoga class is a perfect way to enjoy each other's company and do something good for yourselves.  Many yoga parties end with tea or champagne and some munchies.  Your friends will thank you!

Please call on me if I can help you book a private yoga class or answer any questions.  I can be reached at cheryl@cherylthomas.com.

When people ask me what equipment I use, I tell them my eyes. Ansel Adams