Those with normal blood pressure have a systolic pressure of 120 and diastolic pressure of 80. But those with low blood pressure have a pressure that’s lower than usual. Thus, with low pressure, the blood cannot flow properly to the brain, heart and vital organs. The common symptoms of low blood pressure include dizziness, nausea, light-headedness, exhaustion, palpitation and sometimes temporary loss of consciousness. Low blood pressure can be caused because of alcohol consumption, medicines for the heart, antidepressants, certain medicines used for surgery and diuretics. There are other reasons too like fainting, heart attack, dehydration, to name a few. Low BP can also be caused due to hypotension.

Yoga Exercises To Avoid: Those with low BP should avoid postures that change the pressure of the blood in the head. So, if you’re changing from Standing Forward bend or Uttanasana to Mountain pose; Headstand to Child pose; supine postures to seated postures; seated postures to standing postures – then you must do all of these very slowly and while inhaling constantly. You must in fact, take care to do all the postures gently.

Yoga Exercises That You Must Do: You must focus on yoga postures that increase the flow of blood in the head and also those that stimulate the kidneys. Most back bends and twists are good for the kidneys. The Tibetan Rites or series is supposed to be good for increasing blood pressure.

Yoga Sequence For People With Low Blood Pressure:

• Uttanasana (Spine Stretching Pose): This yoga posture stretches the spine and massages the abdominal organs. Do this pose for 30 to 60 seconds.

• Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand): Here is a pose that is good for improving the flow of blood to the brain and it also stimulates the pituitary and the thyroid glands. It refreshes the body and energizes the mind. This is best done for 30 seconds.

• Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog Pose): This posture improves the blood circulation in the brain, fingers, toes and neck.

• Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose): This posture strengthens the spine and the joints.

• Ustrasana (Camel Pose): It tones the spine and abdomen as well as the pelvic area.

• Pranayam:-

• kapalbhati -10 min
• anulom- vilom – 15 to 20 min
• Bhastrika -10 min

Technique :-

1. Stand erect.
2. Make a distance of 1-1/2 feet between legs and place both hands on respective knees.
3. Slowly exhale completely. As we retain breath out in Uddiyana, so retain it out.
4. After that, the stomach, which has gone in due to complete exhalation.
5. Without inhaling try to blow it out like a balloon, maintaining for two seconds, take the stomach in and again blow it out. Do it likewise for 4 to 6 times.
6. Now inhale. This forms one round of Agnisara. Practise it for four or five times.

Remember:-

1. Practise it on empty stomach.
2. Do not practise it atleast for four hours after meal.

Digestive disorders can be difficult to diagnose because they come from a variety of different sources such as food allergies, medication, stress, hormone changes, low fiber intake, infections, parasites, and lactose intolerance. Any disturbance to the intestinal bacterial balance or the ratio of good bacteria to bad bacteria can make the digestive system malfunction.

Gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach lining. It may be caused by eating spoiled food, by bacteria, viruses, by certain chemicals, as well as by stress and lifestyle factors. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea and cramps. Gastritis may be acute or chronic. People who suffer from chronic gastritis should look into dietary changes, stress management and removal of alcohol, cigarettes and spices.

Yoga for digestive disorders is a set of exercises; your yoga instructor will teach you. These ‘asana’ require to be done exactly as taught by the instructor so that you can get complete relief from your problems, the instructor will teach you how long you require to remain in a certain position, the breathing during this position and the way to bring yourself to normal position.

There are many digestive system diseases and disorders. Some are very common and easily treated, while some are more serious, difficult to diagnose and difficult to treat. There are some nervous disorders that affect the digestive tract. These are sometimes classified as symptoms or related conditions and sometimes as possible causes of digestive system diseases and disorders, because in some cases it is unclear which came first, the digestive disorder or the nervous disorder.

Nutritional supplementation and dietary adequacy are the key factors that are responsible in controlling the gastrointestinal or digestive health. Natural supplements provide the body with particular nutrients that the digestive system of a person is lacking and requires. In other words, they provide replenishment to the body, sometimes eliminating the symptoms.

Asanas:

1.Halasana

2.Dhanurasana

3.Uttanpadasana – 5 times

Pranayam:

1.Kapalbhati

2.anulom-vilom

3. Uddiyana Bandha

4.Agnisara

1st Position – Dakshasana

Procedure : In the first position of Surya Namaskara, contemplate the virtues of Lord Surya with concentrated mind and feel that you are the friend of everybody and have friendship with every creature on the earth. Immersing yourself with these feelings stand erect stretching your hands, neck and all other parts of your body. Stretching both of your arms, touch your thighs with palms and inflate the chest and point your vision on the tip of the nose. This is a position of attention.
Benefits: Disorders of the skin and waists are corrected, the back and the legs become strong. Focusing of the vision on nose helps to control the mind. It is an easy and effective way of attaining good health and development of personality for the students. Meditating with concentrated mind enhances confidence.

2nd Position: Namaskarasana

Procedure : Fold together both of your hands in such a way that that both the thumbs begin to touch your chest. Expand your chest and pull in the belly as far as possible. Look straight ahead. The head, the neck and the body should remain in a straight line. Closing the mouth inhale the breath and hold it inside as far as possible and then expose the breath.
Benefits: Good for the diseases of the throat and voice is enhanced. Both mind and body become healthy.

3rd Position: Parvatasana

Procedure: Raising the arms up, stretch whole of your body backward while gazing at the sky with open eyes. Bend backward as mush as possible, inhale and expand your chest at the same time.
Benefits: Both the shoulders and the food pipe (Esophagus) get exercise and diseases related to them are corrected. Eyesight is also improved.

4th Position: Namaskara Hastapadasana

Procedure: Inhale deeply, retain the breath and bend forward without folding the knees. Rest both your palms on the ground and touch your knees with your forehead or the nose and exhale the breath with audible sound. In the beginning if you can’t rest your palms on the ground, just touch the ground with fingers.
Benefits : Disorders of the belly and digestive system are corrected. The chest and hands become stronger and you become well balanced, beautiful and good looking. Diseases of the feet and fingers are also corrected.

5th Position: Ekapada Prasaranasana

Procedure: Inhale and pull your right leg backward in such a way that the knee and the fingers of the foot touch the ground. The abdomen and belly must be pressing hard into the left leg. Raise your head as high as possible and look upwards. Push the waist down and hold the breath and stay in the posture as long as you can – comfortably.
Benefits : The posture stretches the small intestine. Hence this posture helps in correcting the constipation and diseases of the liver. Diseases of the throat are also corrected.

6th Position: Bhudharasana

Procedure: Inhale the breath deeply and hold it and pull both of your legs backward, so that the thumbs of the feet, ankles and knees touch each other. Stabilizing the feet and keeping the head, waist, the back and the elbows in a line bend forward and resting both the palms on the ground keep your body like a bow.
Benefits : One gets relief from the pains – specially of arms, legs and the knees. Bulging waist is trimmed and it is good for the abdominal disorders.

7th Position: Ashthanga Pranipatasana

Procedure: Holding the breath, rest both your knees on the ground. Touch the ground with your chest and touch the lower part of the neck with chin. Also touch the ground with the upper part of the forehead and the nose. Please note that the abdomen should not touch the ground. It should be pulled in. Then exhale the breath. Both the hands/palms must be on the side of the chest.
Benefits : This posture makes the arms strong.

8th Position: Bhujangasana

Procedure: Keeping the legs, palms and knees as in Ashtanga prampatasana position above, unfold the arms and rise inhaling the breath, push the chest out and bend the waist in a circle backward. Then rise and bend your head backwards looking up and back as much up as possible and exhale the breath.
Benefits : Tones up the body and the back muscles and improves the eyesight. Corrects all kinds of disorders related to the reproductive system. Blood circulation is also improved.

9th Position: Bhudharasana

Procedure:Repeat the process of Bhudharasana as described in the step six – Inhale the breath deeply and hold it and pull both of your legs backward, so that the thumbs of the feet, ankles and knees touch each other. Stabilizing the feet and keeping the head, waist, the back and the elbows in a line bend forward and resting both the palms on the ground keep your body like a bow.
Benefits : One gets relief from the pains – specially of arms, legs and the knees. Bulging waist is trimmed and it is good for the abdominal disorders.

10th Position: Ekapada Prasaranasana

Procedure: Repeat the process of the fifth Namaskara as described in the fifth position but just reverse the position of the legs.

11th Position: Namaskara Hastapadasana

Procedure:Repeat the process described in the fourth position.

12th Position: Parvatasana

Procedure : Same as position 2

Below are some problems like premature ejaculation, gamophobia etc. whose yogic cures have been prescribed.

Pre-mature ejaculation

For treating it some breathing exercises, accompanied with meditation and naturopathy shall be helpful.

1.Kapalbhati

2.Anulom vilom

3.Meditation

Reduce spices, and excess consumption of food items like mutton and chicken from your diet.

Erectile dysfunction -

Some yogic poses useful for such condition are:

1.Anal Lift. – 5 times.

2.Abdominal Lift. – 5 times.

3.Wind Releasing Pose(pavanmuktasana)-3 times

4.Cobra Pose. – 5 times

Impotence:

Impotence can be the either the inability to have an erection, or simply not being able to keep one. Disease, drug side effects or injury can cause impotence. There are many ways approach the problem, and one of the gentlest is yoga.

Asans:

1.surya namshakar

2.pavanmuktasana

3.cobra pose(bhujangasana)

4.sarvangasana

5.halasana

Pranayam:

1. kapalbhati

2. Anulom-vilom

Gamophobia:

Gamophobia is made up of terms Gamos meaning marriage and phobia meaning irrational and deep seated fear. So gamophobia is irrational fear of marriage.

Person with gamophobia is afraid of getting married. He/she gets anxious at the thought of marriage, is not comfortable building an intimate relationship with the opposite sex. The symptoms are showing irrational behavior, being overly anxious if a person is being told to or being taken to meet the prospective better half, etc. For such a case it is better to do exercises to increase self worth, and also practice meditation to keep the mind more at peace and be able to think rationally.

Masturbation is the sexual stimulation that leads to orgasm. It is performed manually, by other types of body contact using objects or tools, or by some combination of these methods . However there is no act of sexual intercourse in this sexual behavior.

Obesity is a condition that arises, when the body weight exceeds the requisite normal weight. Accumulation of fat deposits in the body tissues results in obesity.

Stress plays a vital role in causing obesity. Psychological disturbances propel a person to seek comfort in food -such a person may consume excess food. Children suffering from such disturbances, tend to become obese.

Improper dietary habits can predispose an individual to obesity. When a person starts consuming foods rich in sugar, starch, fats, and highly processed foods, there is extra weight gain.

Technological advancements in modern life has resulted in less physical activity. At homes, people use electrical gadgets that save on hard physical labour, thereby resulting in sedentary lifestyle.

Yoga And Menstruation

Yoga, an ancient system of healing, exerts a positive influence on health and well being, by changing the way we think, feel and respond to life situations. Yoga is also an alternative therapy for relieving pain and fatigue.

An insight into Hatha Yoga, which comprises yogic postures, deep breathing, and meditation, extols its threefold blessing: health, well- being and long life. It is wise to draw from the power of yoga, especially for women during the phases of menstruation, menopause, pregnancy and pre-menstrual syndrome. In effect, yoga helps cope with the pain and discomfort associated during the sensitive phases in a woman’s life. It is aptly said, “Peace in the body gives poise in the mind”.

Exploring the Connection: Yoga and Menstruation

Ayurveda texts speak of the presence of 5 pranas or life currents that are responsible for the body’s functioning.

They are:

Apana

Vyana

Udana

Prana

Samana

Of relevance to this topic, is the life current or prana in the Apana form, directed downwards and responsible for excretion, urination and menstruation. During the menstrual cycle, the direction of energy (apana), is downwards, and therefore is directed out of the body. It is important to ensure the natural flow of this current without obstruction.

Women experience PMS or premenstrual syndrome before the commencement of their menstrual cycle. It usually begins a week or two before the commencement of menstruation and lasts till the onset of menstruation. PMS is characterized by- discomfort, insomnia, headache, irritability, depression, or sometimes even violent behaviour and suicidal tendencies.

The phase of PMS can be alleviated by yoga. In fact, regular practice of yoga can offset the symptoms of PMS, while also reducing the pain and discomfort associated with the menstrual period.

Therefore, menstrual period should not be viewed as a low energy phase; it is rather an opportune time to turn inward and remain free from physical exertion

To get relief for Menstruation pain and realted problem one can follow the yoga routine.

Morning:

Perform Pranayama

Followed by Shavasan

Pavanmuktasana

In the evening in empty stomach practice the following yogasans

Pavanmuktasana

Janusirasana

Paschimottanasa

Garbhasana

Suptavarjasana

Dhanurasana

Matsyasna

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.

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 (anulom vilom) Pranayama controls the Pranic flow. But people suffering from BP should not practice Kumbhaka (retention of breath) but only inhalation and exhalation.

1.kapalbhati (slowly)- 5 to 10 min

2.anulom vilom – 15 to 20 min

3.bhastrika pranayam -10 min

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. Especially for High BP patients, Omkar chanting for 15 minutes everyday shows miraculous results.

Nature cure:

• Nature cure gives instant results and controls high blood pressure. It includes keeping wet bandage on stomach and forehead, enema, hot water bath and spine bath. Cold water spine bath is very beneficial in this case. Placing cold bandage on spine is also equally effective.
• Keeping a wet mud bandage or lep on whole body once a week is also beneficial.
• Water prepared in green bottle after keeping it under sun (during sunset) is ideal. Drink half cup of this water twice daily to control high blood pressure.
• The patient of high blood pressure should begin his day with morning walk and try to lead a natural life.

Diet and regimen:

• Food has an important place in any illness especially in case of high blood pressure.
• Food should not cause constipation, and in fact relieve it. Fruit diet is ideal for sometime and then begin the treatment.
• Reduce the intake of salt.
• Eat seasonal fruits at least three to four times during the day.
• Concentrate on food while eating and chew it properly.
• The patients of high blood pressure should not eat hot, spicy, stale, heavy food and items made with gram flour, sugar, meat, and avoid smoking, drinking alcohol.
• Try to get rid of any negative thoughts at the time of eating food. Negative thinking has bad effect on digestion of the food.
• Drink one glass lukewarm lemon water with two spoons honey in the morning.
• Eat seasonal fruit like papaya, guava or sprouts and fenugreek or fruit juice in breakfast.
• Eat chapatti made with whole wheat flour, one or two boiled green vegetables, salad and curd.
• Take any seasonal fruit or fruit juice or lemon water mixed with honey in the evening.
• Take one or two chapattis made with whole wheat flour or coarse meal and boiled vegetable along with salad at night.

Home remedies

• Mix onion juice and pure honey in equal quantities and take two grams once daily to cure high blood pressure.
• Onion juice reduces cholesterol level in the blood and prevents heart attack and controls the stiffness of blood veins. It helps in reducing high blood pressure. Honey makes the heart strong and healthy. Use this remedy for five to seven days and note the difference. Continue it for few days in case of benefit.
• Grind watermelon seeds and poppy seeds separately and mix in equal quantities. Take three gram on empty stomach with water twice daily. This controls high blood pressure and helps in getting proper sleep. It also overcomes headache. This should be taken three to four times.
• Take three grams of dry fenugreek powder twice daily on empty stomach for 10-15 days with water to reduce high blood pressure. It is also beneficial in case of diabetes.
• Chew one or two peeled garlic pods after meals with water. Alternatively, eat the garlic pods wrapped in dry dates (seedless).
• Grind wheat and gram in equal quantities and prepare the flour. Make chapattis made with whole wheat flour and eat daily. This controls high bloodpressure within one or two days.
• Store water in copper vessel at night and drink it in the morning. This is very beneficial to control high blood pressure.
• Grind four basil leaves and two neem leaves with water and take on empty stomach for five to seven days to control high blood pressure.
• Eat ripe papaya on empty stomach regularly in the morning and do not eat anything up to two hours after this.
• Use onion and garlic in food to overcome heart disease. Using onion and garlic in proper proportion reduces cholesterol level and regulates high blood pressure level.
• Diluted curd is very beneficial in case of low and high blood pressure. Patients of low blood pressure should take two grains of asafetida along with diluted curd. Drink a glassful of diluted curd one hour after meals; it acts like nectar.
• Cholai vegetable and its juice is beneficial in controlling high blood pressure, like diluted curd.

Harmful Food:

Heavy food made with milk, butter, oily food, clarified butter, salt, brinjal, potato, half ripe banana, raw jack fruit, pulses, refined flour, sweets, jaggery, oil, dry mango powder, spices, polished rice, sugar, coffee, tea, sitting in the same position or standing for long time, running up the stairs, eating in excess and frequently are all harmful.

Suitable food:

Sweet lime, apple, watermelon, myrobalan, lemon, papaya, are suitable. Green vegetables, spinach, gourd, onion, tomato, carrot, salad, carrot juice, bathua are all beneficial. Soak stale chapatti in milk and eat. Mix glucose in curd and eat. Do not drink water while eating food. Mix juice of half lemon in half cup of water and drink twice or thrice for immediate effect.