Hypertenison - Part 1

What is the role of yama, asana and pranayama in hypertension - part 1

When we speak of hypertension, I like to use the word psycho-physiological to describe it, as this problem begins in the mind rather than from the nerves.

It is the mind that creates ambition, competition and the necessity to play social, financial and political games.
The inner tension that is inherent to all of this, is the primary cause of hypertension. It is also caused by the impulses coming from the gnyanendriyas. The eyes, the nose, the ears, the tongue, the skin get stimulated and create impulses travelling through the nervine system, up to the mind and back through the same way, affecting not only the physical body, but the inner self as well.

Yogic posers are very effective for the following reasons; there are three friends dwelling in the body:
The kidneys.
Add to it the liver,
whose friend who is the heart.
The wonderful interconnection between them keeps the nervous and circulatory systems running smoothly.

The respiratory system, while also interdependent, does have a more obvious connection with the outside. When the balance between the three organs just mentioned, is lost, they communicate in a less harmonious way. Tension builds up.
When the liver is affected, the kidney send a message to it saying,
"my friend, I shall work for you, take rest". 
There is a tremendous coordination between the liver and the kidneys. When the liver says,
"I am tired",
the kidneys say,
"I'll work",
but when both are tired, then the pumping station in the heart says,
"You two rest, I'll take over".
It is a beautiful communication that goes on within the entire system, but when the three organs are affected, due to the psychological state we are in, through our behavior, the nerves are compromised, they are strained.
As the nerves are strained, the energy cannot flow freely, resulting in the stressful state.
In order to keep a flawless communication, we need to balance the external through the internal.
When disturbances arise, disharmony follows. On account of this, the endocrine glands either over-secrete or do not secrete enough or even not at all.
This has a direct effect on the blood supply.
Due to this pressure in the mind and trained nerves the supply of blood is affected. 
In order for the blood to reach those areas in need, the pumping station has to work harder than usual. 
Therefore, stress, tension in this powerful muscle, the heart increases.

Environmental circumstances, economical conditions, political situations, a position one may want to have, all these factors disturb the entire physiological and psychological systems. When you do Setubhanda Sarvangasana
the glands which had earlier dried out for want of energy supply to the nerves are flooded with fresh blood. 

For those who's blood pressure is not so high, in Savangasana, when the adrenal glands release, through the silencing of the other glands - this being a protection of the body, energy is released and the nerves get back their strength. In Halasana we bandage the eyes, the forehead, to keep the brain in a state similar to hibernation. This person then, cannot think or act and therefore is made to rest. As the mind is in a restful state, so are the nerves. As the poses are extensive and expansive, the nerves, which were strained due to mental pressures, and made to open and can carry their energy, messages, to the most remote parts of the body.
Energy is abundantly supplied in these poses.
Asanas do help to get in getting a neurophysiological and hormonal balance. We also have the forward bends.

With hypertension, we get headaches, burning in the eyes, defective hearing, a tongue losing its taste for food, etc.
Impulses are drawn from the psycho-physiological body.
When the organs of perception are disturbed, since they trigger off the organs of action, through messages of pleasure or pain, the whole being is disturbed.
When you are doing asanas, the organs of perception are completely pacified, there is no provocation to the system in these asanas.
The moment they are pacified, the nerves are recharged as they gather energy, the need for medication is eliminated. A natural alternative medicine is thus provided, which can help a hypertensive patient recover fast. The nerves, getting that unobstructed inner flow, can withstand
stress, strain and speed.
These three words, these three S's of the modern world have to be conquered by the 3 W's of ancient times:
work worship and wisdom.
As we are told about diet, do's and don'ts, it really all depends on you, on how you work or use your intelligence, how you worship yourself.
In this way see that you do not become an obstacle or a parasite to those close to you.

70 Glorious Years of Yogacharya B.K.S Iyengar - Commemorative volume