Another heatwave. The air is still. I'm sure we'll all be a bit relieved to see air pressure change with some thunder storms. I love a good thunder storm! Anyway, enough weather talk (it's what us British are good at).
I've been looking at head stand this week and there are (as with other inversions) some contraindications to consider. This is serious business.
So here's me getting out of my comfort zone and looking at a bit of science.
When doing any activity our blood pressure changes. Not only that, the pressure measures differently at different parts of our body based on where they are away from the heart. Our heart which is a muscle acts as a pump.
Put simply when standing the pressure is lower in your head and higher in your feet.
When I did my initial teacher training, back in 2005, I was privileged to meet Ruth St. C. Gilmore Ph.D. who has advised many yoga bodies as Dr. and a yogi too, is considered an expert in this area. For the academics amongst you here's a article she wrote back then http://encognitive.com/files/The%20Effects%20of%20Yoga%20%C3%83%E2%80%9Asanas%20on%20Blood%20Pressure.pdf
In simple layman terms, when practicing inversions (or any pose where the head is lower than the heart) the pressure increases. So down dog, even bridge pose, shoulder and head stand amongst others do exactly this. Also, holding poses for a long time or a vigorous flow can cause the blood pressure to rise.
For someone with normal blood pressure the body can cope with intense exercise including going upside down without harmful effect. However, if the blood pressure is high and not treated, the additional pressure on 'the system' is significant. There are several other factors Dr. Gilmore highlights in her article.
Equally, if blood pressure is low coming out of these sort of poses can cause some issues. But generally this can be managed much more easily.
Here's the thing though. A lot of the time people don't even realise their blood pressure isn't normal. To be honest I haven't had mine checked for ages. If your blood pressure is high (and this is the biggest problem because most people don't actually know) then there are much greater risks as the blood vessels are overloaded.
I've recently discovered my sister in law is now also taking medication to manage her own high blood pressure. This means a good % of most of my immediate family over 55 are on similar medication. That's quite alarming isn't it?
As yoga teachers we are most certainly not medical experts and it's up to the individual to check their suitability to any exercise.
However, I do believe yoga can be for 'every body' if the right screening and checks are done.
Going up side down is good for most of us and if even if you're taking medication for high blood pressure it's not necessarily game over. In this article form yoga journal a moderate approach is considered best practice. https://www.yogajournal.com/practice/beginners/high-blood-pressure-and-inversions/
At the end of the day, it's all about balance. That's yoga. It's a good mantra for life.
Namaste.
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