CAUSES OF HYPERTENSION

90% of Hypertension Cases Are With Unknown Causes

Hypertension exact causes are still unknown.  And surprisingly this holds about 90% of total reported hypertension in The United States. Only 10% has a clear diagnosis of the underlying cause.

Essential hypertension

Hypertension with unknown causes is called by essential hypertension or primary hypertension. This type remains somewhat mysterious and has been related to some risk factors. For example, essential hypertension tends to happen in the family. Men are more likely to suffer than women. Age and race is another risk factor. In the United States, African American women have the highest incidence of high blood pressure.

Essential hypertension has great correlation with diet and lifestyle. People with overweight are more likely to have high blood pressure. The strong relation between salt consumption and high blood pressure is also something convincing. Let’s look at the Japan northern island citizen who consumes more salt than anyone else in the world. They show the highest incidence of essential hypertension. On the contrary, people with less salt eating, does not show any evidence of essential hypertension at all.

People with essential hypertension have shown some correlation with the following factors, condition and habits as follows:

• Lack of physical activities or exercises
• Obese or overweight
• Stress
• Heavy smoking
• Alcoholism, too much alcohol drinking
• Too much salt consumption
• Genetic, history of close relatives with hypertension
• Older age are more susceptible for hypertension

Secondary hypertension

Hypertension where the cause can be clearly identified is known as secondary hypertension. The common cause of secondary hypertension is kidney disease. This is mainly due to tumors or disorders that stimulate the adrenal gland (a gland on the top of the kidney) to produce adrenalin that increase blood pressure.

Birth control pills containing estrogen and pregnancy may cause secondary hypertension. Other condition or diseases that may lead to hypertension are alcohol addiction, smoking, thyroid dysfunction and aorta coarctation (this a hereditary narrowing of the aorta)

Most of the secondary hypertension can be cured by treating the underlying diseases, while the essential hypertension can not be cured. It should be treated using anti-hypertensive drugs and any other possible care to minimize the negative impact of hypertension.


IDENTIFIED CAUSES:

Source: http://www.ebmedicine.net/topics.php?paction=showTopicSeg&topic_id=70&seg_id=1339

HYPERTENSION AND CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE

A Syndrome of Several Underlying Diseases or Condition

Why does congestive heart failure happen?

Hypertension may be one cause of congestive heart failure (CHF). It is a prolonged condition of hypertension that makes the left ventricle muscles thicken, since it needs extra power to pump blood into the circulation with increased blood tension. But before we go further, let’s take a look into our wonderful heart.

The Heart function

Our heart is the most vital organ in our body. Death or alive depends on our heart. We are confirmed death when our heart stops beating which is known as ‘clinical death’. Its vital role is to pump blood into the circulatory system (outflow) and at the same time receives blood from our body and lungs (inflow).

The heart has 4 chambers. The left side of the heart has 2 cavities which are the left atrium and the left ventricle, as well as the right side which has the same design, the right atrium and right ventricle. The atrium receives blood hence its wall is much thinner compared to the ventricle. The ventricle is the ‘muscle’ of the heart, since it has to perform an enduring job, creating heart beats!

The heart serves two circulatory systems, the cardiovascular system and the cardiopulmonary system

The cardiovascular system is blood circulation from the left ventricle of the heart to the entire body and back to the right atrium of the heart. It circulates ‘fresh’ oxygenated blood to the entire body systems to make all body parts and systems functioning. By each and every cell of the body the oxygen (O2) is depleted and carbon dioxide (CO2) is loaded to blood cells and brought to the right atrium of the heart. 

The cardiopulmonary system is blood flow from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs and back to the left atrium of the heart. The de-oxygenized blood from the body received by the right atrium is then pumped by the right ventricle to our lungs. In the lung’s smallest device, the alveolus, carbon dioxide is released by the blood and fresh oxygen is absorbed by blood cells to be brought to the left atrium.

Another part of the heart that play important roles are the heart valves. Two valves are the partition between the atria and ventricles, called by the atria-ventricular valves, and the other two are the aorta-ventricular, between the left ventricular and the aorta, and the pulmonary-ventricular valve, between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery. These valves contribute to heart pumping effectiveness by keeping blood flow towards the right direction. Any leakage of the valve may cause ineffectiveness and makes the heart work harder.

Any impairment that affects our heart will cause function abnormalities, in the short or long run, to other organs and systems. So, loving your heart is a must.

The Heart wonder

Assuming your normal heart beats 60 times per minute and you are 50 years old, this means that your heart has made at least; 60 X 60 minutes X 24 hours X 365 days X 50 years = 1,578,800,000 beats during your entire life!. Wow, what an excellent work. Can you do this kind of enduring job? I really don’t think so. Thus, appreciate your heart, one way is by providing it with routine checks and do not do anything that may endanger the health of your heart.

What is Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)?

CHF is not a disease, but it is a syndrome or a set of symptoms or disorders which is a result of several underlying diseases or conditions. CHF happens due to the gradual weakening of the myocardium or the heart muscle. Consequently, blood circulation is hampered and creates a degree of congestion or blockage. The increased tension in the blood vessels due to the slow down of circulation causes fluid infiltration into the body tissues. This is indicated by the puffy swelling of hands and feet which is called by edema. The edema in CHF is typical, and called by pitting edema where an imprint or concave mark may show after pressing the swollen part with your finger.

If the infiltrated fluid accumulates in the stomach it is called ascites, which is indicated by a remarkable bloated stomach   

The blockage may create a backward effect to blood inflow from the lungs. This causes lung edema, or fluid infiltration into the lungs. This is indicated by feeling short of breath after normal activities or just lying down.

Types of CHF

There are two types of CHF, Systolic Heart Failure and Diastolic Heart Failure.

Systolic Heart Failure

The heart, in some degree, fails to pump adequate amount of blood into the circulation. To measure the severity of CHF, the pumping power or ejection power can be measured by determining its Ejection Fraction (EF).  EF is a calculation of how much blood is pumped out of the left ventricle (stroke volume), divided by the maximum volume that stays in the left ventricle at the end of diastole or relaxation phase. A normal EF should be greater than 50%. In systolic heart failure the EF is decreased to less than 50%.

Diastolic Heart Failure

Although the heart may contract normally, but it’s rigid or less flexible during relaxation and filling activities of blood. This may hamper blood filling into the heart and creates backflow into the lungs and the entire body. Diastolic heart failure is more common in patients older than 75 years, especially in women with high blood pressure. In diastolic heart failure, the EF is normal.

Statistics

• CHF affects 1% of people aged 50 years, about 5% of those aged 75 years or older, and 25% of those aged 85 years or older.  Heart failure is the most common reason for patients to be hospitalized. 
• As the number of elderly people continues to rise, the number of people diagnosed with this condition will continue to increase. 
• In the United States, about 5 million people have heart failure and about 550,000 new cases are diagnosed every year. 
• CHF is more common among African Americans than whites. 
• The rate of death from CHF is about 10% after 1 year. About half of those with CHF diewithin 5 years after their diagnosis. These statistics vary widely by a patient’s exact diagnosis and therapy. 
• Advances in research are providing more options and improving outcomes for people with CHF. 

Cause of CHF

As it is a syndrome, CHF may result from many diseases and conditions as follows:

Heart attack

Heart attack is a result of heart muscle damage or myocard infarct due to insufficient blood supply to the myocardium or heart muscle. The longer the insufficiency, the wider the damage of the muscle is affected. One that survives from a heart attack are at higher risk to suffer CHF in the future

Pericardial disease

These are diseases that affect the pericardium or the outer layer of the heart. This might be a pericardial effusion or accumulation of fluid between the pericardium and myocardium. Another disease is the thickening of the pericardium itself. Both cause the inflexibility of the heart movement to fill properly.

Hypertension 

This disease is really a burden to the heart, since the heart needs to work harder to pump the adequate amount of blood into the blood vessels with high tension. Prolonged hypertension may cause the thickening of the left ventricle muscle or called as left ventricular hypertrophy which later on will damage heart muscles as well as the lining of blood vessels.

Congenital heart disease

Diseases of the heart that arise from heart defects those are present at birth. The common disease is caused by damaged heart valves. As it function is to keep the right direction of blood flow, abnormal valves may cause backward flow or a decreased outflow. There are two types of valve damage; an incompetent valve that does not close properly and the stenotic valve that does not open properly. Both types of valves make the heart work harder and inefficient.

Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy or heart muscle damage which can be the result of many disorders e.g. coronary heart disease, prolonged high blood pressure, viral infection, diabetes, and some other causes. If the damage of heart muscles happens due to an unknown reason it is called idiopathic cardiomyopathy.

Obesity

Additional body weight is a burden to our heart and may impair the entire cardiovascular system resulting high blood pressure and heart disease, including coronary heart disease and CHF

Smoking and alcoholism

These are two risk factors in acquiring cardiovascular diseases. While smoking is a bad habit, which can ruin your health, to be more specific; harm your heart and lungs, alcoholism can impair the function of the liver and sooner or later may impair your heart as well.

Other causes

Some to mention are: prolonged arrhythmia (irregular heart beats), hyper or hypothyroid (excess or less of thyroid hormone), toxic exposures and chemotherapy (cancer medicines)

Symptoms of CHF

Most of cases do not aware that they have CHF, since symptoms do not show until the heart is already in a serious problem. The most common symptoms are:

One of the early symptoms is short of breath accompanied with cough or disability to take a deep breath. Patient with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or emphysema may mislead the symptoms for having an attack of those diseases. Patients without breathing problems may mislead the CHF symptom for a cold, flu or bronchitis.

However, the worsen condition of the disease may show 3 prominent symptoms:

Shortness of breath 

This symptom persists from the early stage of CHF as mentioned above, but it becomes more severe along with the progress of the disease. Fluid accumulation in the lungs decreases pulmonary function to acquire enough oxygen. The suffering becomes prominent since the patient has difficulties in breathing (dyspnea) when at a lying position. The patients may often be awaken at night due to dyspnea, and try to comfort themselves at a sitting position. This symptom is called by paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea. Sleeping while at a sitting position supported by several pillows is the most comfort for patients with CHF.

Exercise intolerance

Patient with CHF has a very limited ability to perform even the slightest activity as done by a normal person. The patient may get into short of breath and fatigue when doing normal home activities like cleaning, polishing, sweeping or even a short walk outside the house. Resting for awhile will be comfortable and makes the patient feel better. 

Fluid retention

A prominent sign is the swelling of the arms and legs, including the ankles called by edema. A typical sign is the pitting edema, a concave mark which remains on the skin for a while after pushed with a finger. Fluid retention in the lungs contributes to the two other symptoms that lead to dyspnea and exercise intolerance. In severe cases, fluid accumulation may occur in the abdomen or stomach which is called by ascites. A bloated belly is a clear sign of possible ascites caused by CHF

ACUPRESSURE FOR HYPERTENSION

Acupressure Therapy for Hypertension

Acupressure (a blend of "acupuncture" and "pressure") is a complementary medicine technique derived from acupuncture. In acupressure physical pressure is applied to acupuncture points by the hand, elbow, or with various devices.

Traditional Chinese medicine's (TCM) acupuncture theory predates use of the scientific method, and has received various criticisms based on scientific thinking. The anatomical or histological basis of acupuncture points or meridians, if they actually exist, is unknown. Acupuncturists tend to perceive TCM concepts in functional rather than structural terms, i.e. as being useful in guiding evaluation and care of patients. Neuro-imaging research suggests that certain acupuncture points have distinct effects that are not otherwise predictable anatomically.

Acupressure Work Theory

According to the principles of TCM, qi flows through the body via 14 primary meridians or channels. To strengthen the flow of qi, or remove blockages in the meridians, an acupuncturist inserts a number of tiny, sterile, flexible needles just under the skin at certain specific points (called acupoints) along the channels. There are four to five hundred named acupoints along the meridians, some of which are associated with specific internal organs or organ systems.

If you are suffering from nausea, for example, needles might be inserted into acupoints on your wrist, while a vision problem might be treated with needles in the foot. (Additional ear, scalp, and hand points are also commonly used by some practitioners.) Acupuncture practitioners believe that the therapy stimulates the body’s internal regulatory system and nurtures a natural healing response.

A variant system known as two point acupressure attempts to bypass a blockage of vital flow by using one acupoint to create a link with one of the collateral meridians, and then using one additional acupoint to stimulate or reduce the flow around the obstruction.

Acupressure for hypertension

In traditional Oriental medicine, hypertension is said to be intimately connected with blockages in the Liver meridian. The following points are useful for managing acupressure:

Gb 20, Li 11, Ht 3, St 36, Lv 3, and Kd 1

Caution: If blood pressure exceeds 200/100, do not do acupressure at all.

1. (Gb 20, Wind Pool)

How to locate this point: Place your thumbs on your earlobes. Slide them back toward the center of your neck. Now your thumbs will be approximately one thumb width above the hairline of your neck. Your thumbs will fall into a depression on either side of the vertebra of your neck, at the base of the skull. (If you slowly bend your head forward and then back again, you will be able to identify these depressions easily.) Wind Pool (Gb 20) is located in these depressions.

How to apply pressure: Use the thumbs to apply medium to firm pressure, and hold for a minute or even more. Breathe deeply and build up and release pressure gradually.

Gb 20 is helpful in relieving headaches and colds, neck stiffness and pain, and helps to regulate the internal movement of energy.

2. Li 11 and Ht 3

How to locate points: To locate Li 11, hold your arm in front of your chest, as if you were holding a cup in your hand. The point is at the outside end of the crease on your arm at the elbow joint.

To find Ht 3 (Lesser Sea), hold your palms facing up. From Li 11 slide your fingers across the elbow crease until you feel the bony projection of the outside of your funny bone. Just above this bony projection is a natural depression. Ht 3 is in this depression.

Applying pressure: Place your thumb on Ht 3 and your middle finger on Li 11 and apply strong pressure for about a minute.

3. (St 36, Three Mile Foot) 

St 36 is the most effective point to rejuvenate the ch'i and blood. The combination of Li 11 and St 36 is used extensively to treat hypertension.

How to locate St 36: This point is located four finger widths below the lower border of the kneecap and one finger width off the shin bone to the outside. Flex your foot up and down; you will feel the muscle move under your fingers if you are on St 36.

Applying pressure: Apply moderate to firm pressure on St 36. Hold the pressure for one minute. This point can also be stimulated either with the heel of your opposite foot, or with your fingers.

4. (Lv 3, Bigger Rushing) 

Traditional Oriental medicine practitioners believe that hypertension is intimately connected with blockages in the liver meridian. Lv 3 exerts a powerful, beneficial influence on all aspects of the body associated with the liver meridian.

How to locate Lv 3: This point is located on the top of your foot, between the big toe and second toe.

Start at the web margin of skin between the two toes. Now slide your index finger up between the bones until you feel a depression about 1/2 inch up.

Applying pressure: Using your index finger, press between the bones. Start with light pressure. Increase the pressure gradually as much as you can tolerate or until you are using moderate to firm pressure. Press for about 1 minute.

5. (Kd 1, Bubbling Spring)

How to Locate Point: Kd 1 is on the sole of the foot between the second and third toe bone, two thirds of the distance from the heel to the base of the second toe. It's just below the ball of the foot.

Applying pressure: Press firmly on the point for about a minute .

Article Source: http://www.holisticonline.com/remedies/Heart/hypert_acupressure.htm

MASSAGE THERAPY FOR HYPERTENSION

Simple Massage Techniques For Hypertension

By: Ryan English

Massage is a gentle way of soothing away sickness almost any kind of sickness. It stands in the contention that a sickness is the result of poor bodily functions that has sprouted from a variety of causes like poor blood circulation. Massage therapy causes gentle effects on our arteries and is found to increase blood flow without increasing blood pressure. Recent studies also found out that massage can lower both systolic and diastolic high blood pressure.

An exclusive study that has been recently conducted yields a positive result regarding the effects of massage in hypertension. The said study proved that it can decrease the possibility of having heart attacks through hypertension by promoting smooth circulation of blood. An ancient myth that says using massage to counter HBP a taboo is now debunked. 

The "Side Effect" Dilemma 

Having hypertension is not a joke but rather it is some sort of an ordeal that should be survived everyday. It can cause many discomforts as well as anxieties that lead to the worsening of the condition everyday. Drug-related treatment of this disease can be effective but the ill side effect of the method is also inevitable. One of the most prominent side effects of drug treatment for high blood pressure is kidney failure.  

Due to prolonged exposure to chemicals brought inside our body by the drugs we take in order to counter hypertension effects, some parts of our body suffer due to the constant and undesirable effects of it. The liver acts as a filter for all the substances that  enter our body, and if faced with the constant exposure to strong chemicals from certain drugs, it become weak and eventually break down. Same is true with our kidneys. They too can suffer from the ill effects of drugs used to combat HBP. 

Gentle Way is the Best Way 

When we are suffering from maladies, it is our human instinct to seek for a cure of it and putting high blood pressure in mind, we sure don't want to jeopardize safety by using treatment methods that has proven bad side effects. This is where the benefit of a massage can be made use of.  

Massage has a natural calming effect in the central nervous system. When our body is properly massaged, it signals our brain to release dopamine, a hormone most notable for its "feel-good" effect to be released into our bloodstream, thus causing the following: 

• Decreasing the pressure against the walls of the arteries caused by the surging blood
• A relaxed heart and a smooth blood flow. Because of the fact thatt our whole body is relaxed, all pressures and stress points in our body can relax as well, leading to a relaxed feeling, therefore it aids in the lowering of blood pressure.

Aside from staying away from the sources of high blood pressure like unhealthy lifestyles and poor diets, having a regular massage can aid greatly in fighting hypertension. It does not only give relaxation but it also gives more benefit than we really expected. Lowering the blood pressure is one.

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Article Source: Massage For Your HBP - Simple Massage Techniques For High Blood Pressure

Additional Information on Massage for Hyprtension:

As hypertension is strongly related to stress, massage therapy sessions are really beneficial to relieve stress and tension. By managing your stress, you will eventually manage your blood pressure. Another good point about using a hypertension massage therapy is that it can also lower related symptoms such as depression, anxiety and hostility.

Here are some scientific studies on massage therapy for hypertension:

People who had been diagnosed with hypertension were given massages for five weeks (ten 30-minute sessions) experienced lowered blood pressure, less hostile behavior, less depression and lower salivary and urinary hormone levels (cortisol). Researchers concluded that massage therapy may be useful in lessening the symptoms of hypertension and lowering diastolic blood pressure .

- Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., Krasnegor, J., Theakston, H., Hossain, Z., & Burman, I. (2000). -- High blood pressure and associated symptoms were reduced by massage therapy. -- Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 4, 31-38.

Following myofascial trigger-point massage therapy, subjects showed a significant decrease in heart rate, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. Subjects also felt a decrease in muscle tension and an improved state of emotion. Analysis of heart rate variability revealed a significant increase in parasympathetic activity.

- Delaney, J.P., Leong, K.S., Watkins, A., & Brodie, D. (2002). -- The short-term effects of myofascial trigger point massage therapy on cardiac autonomic tone in healthy subjects. -- Journal of Advanced Nursing, 37, 364-71.

Sources: http://www.personalhealthzone.com/therapy/massage/hypertension.html

YOGA AND MEDITATION Part 2

Meditation for the treatment of Hypertension

Yoga and meditation are the alternative means for hypertension treatment. It as been scientifically proven, that yoga and meditation are of great value in reducing blood pressure. It seems that they work on the peace of mind and balancing of the mind, body and spirit. We have discussed Yoga in the previous post, let’s discuss meditation now.

Meditation is one of the alternative means for hypertension treatment. It as been scientifically proven, that meditation is of great value in reducing blood pressure. It seems that they work on the peace of mind and balancing of the mind, body and spirit

Meditation is very useful for people with hypertension which is proven to reduce the dependency on antihypertensive drugs. Dr. Jeffrey A Dusek and friends from The Massachusetts General Hospital declared that patients with isolated systolic hypertension possess better chances to reduce their dosage of anti-hypertension by 1 tablet when they practice meditation compared to those not practicing it.

Meditation

Meditation is a holistic discipline by which the practitioner attempts to get beyond the reflexive, "thinking" mind into a deeper state of relaxation or awareness. Meditation is a component of many religions, and has been practiced since antiquity. It is also practiced outside religious traditions. Different meditative disciplines encompass a wide range of spiritual goals—from achievement of a higher state of consciousness, compassion and loving kindness, to greater focus, creativity or self-awareness, or simply a more relaxed and peaceful frame of mind.

Eastern meditation techniques have been adapted and increasingly practiced in Western culture.

Meditation has been defined as: "self regulation of attention, in the service of self-inquiry, in the here and now." The various techniques of meditation can be classified according to their focus. Some focus on the field or background perception and experience, often referred to as "mindfulness"; others focus on a pre-selected specific object, and are called "concentrative" meditation. There are also techniques that shift between the field and the object.

Mindfulness Meditation

In mindfulness meditation, the meditator sits comfortably and silently, centering attention by focusing awareness on an object or process (such as the breath; a sound, such as a mantra, koan or riddle-like question; a visualization; or an exercise). The meditator is usually encouraged to maintain an open focus:

... shifting freely from one perception to the next clear your mind of all that bothers you no thoughts that can distract you from reality or your personal being... No thought, image or sensation is considered an intrusion. The meditator, with a 'no effort' attitude, is asked to remain in the here and now. Using the focus as an 'anchor'... brings the subject constantly back to the present, avoiding cognitive analysis or fantasy regarding the contents of awareness, and increasing tolerance and relaxation of secondary thought processes.

Concentration Meditation

Concentration meditation is used in many religions and spiritual practices. Whereas in mindfulness meditation there is an open focus, in concentration meditation the meditator holds attention on a particular object (e.g., a repetitive prayer) while minimizing distractions; bringing the mind back to concentrate on the chosen object.

Meditation can be practiced while walking or doing simple repetitive tasks. Walking meditation helps break down habitual automatic mental categories, "thus regaining the primary nature of perceptions and events, focusing attention on the process while disregarding its purpose or final outcome." In a form of meditation using visualization, such as Chinese Qi Gong, the practitioner concentrates on flows of energy (Qi) in the body, starting in the abdomen and then circulating through the body, until dispersed. Some meditative traditions, such as yoga or tantra, are common to several religions. (Extracted from Wikipedia)

Interested to Learn More about and Practice Meditation the Right Way? Click Here!

The fact is that we live in an "exhausted" society. And I'm sure you've had first hand experience with the ever present "energy drain" of modern life. What a relief it is to learn that a simple physical practice of meditation can give such an amazing energy boost. And not just a temporary jolt, but permanent improvement. To exercise meditation properly, I recommend you to learn more about meditation at this resourceful place: Teach Meditation   

Article by: Uno Birawan

YOGA AND MEDITATION Part 1

Yoga for the treatment of Hypertension

Yoga and meditation are the alternative means for hypertension treatment. It as been scientifically proven, that yoga and meditation are of great value in reducing blood pressure. It seems that they work on the peace of mind and balancing of the mind, body and spirit. Lets discuss Yoga first.

Yoga (Sanskrit, Pāli: yóga) refers to traditional physical and mental disciplines originating in India. The word is associated with meditative practices in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. In Hinduism, it also refers to one of the six orthodox (āstika) schools of Hindu philosophy, and to the goal toward which that school directs its practices. In Jainism it refers to the sum total of all activities—mental, verbal and physical.

Major branches of yoga in Hindu philosophy include Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Hatha Yoga. Raja Yoga, compiled in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and known simply as yoga in the context of Hindu philosophy, is part of the Samkhya tradition. Many other Hindu texts discuss aspects of yoga, including Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, the Shiva Samhita and various Tantras.

The Sanskrit word yoga has many meanings, and is derived from the Sanskrit root "yuj", meaning "to control", "to yoke" or "to unite." Translations include "joining", "uniting", "union", "conjunction", and "means". An alternate root from which the word yoga may be derived is "yujir samadhau", which means "contemplation" or "absorption."

This translation fits better with the dualist Raja Yoga because it is through contemplation that discrimination between prakrti (nature) and purusha (pure consciousness) occurs. Outside India, the term yoga is typically associated with Hatha Yoga and its asanas (postures) or as a form of exercise. Someone who practices yoga or follows the yoga philosophy is called a yogi or yogini. (Yoga information as posted from Wikipedia)

As defined above, the word yoga means "union" in Sanskrit, the language of ancient India where yoga is originated. Yoga reflects the union between the mind, body and spirit.

What is commonly referred to as "yoga" can be more accurately described by the Sanskrit word asana, which refers to the practice of physical postures or poses.

Asana is only one of the eight "limbs" of yoga, the majority of which are more concerned with mental and spiritual well being than physical activity. In the West, however, the words asana and yoga are often used interchangeably.

About The Eight Limbs of Yoga

According to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, one of the ancient texts that is the basis for the philosophy behind yoga, there are eight “limbs” (Ashtanga in Sanskrit) of yoga. Each limb relates to an aspect of achieving a healthy and fulfilling life, and each builds upon the one before it. You may be surprised to hear that only one of the limbs involves the performance of yoga postures. Here is a description of the eight limbs.

1. Yama: Five ethical guidelines regarding moral behavior towards others: Ahimsa: Nonviolence, Satya: Truthfulness, Asteya: Nonstealing, Brahmacharya: Nonlust, Aparigraha: Noncovetesness

2. Niyama: Five ethical guidelines regarding moral behavior towards oneself: Saucha: Cleanliness, Santosa: Contentment, Tapas: Sustained practice, Svadhyaya: Self study, Isvara pranidhana: Surrender to God

3. Asana: Practice of yoga postures.

4. Pranayama: Practice of breathing exercises.

5. Pratyahara: Withdrawal of the senses, meaning that the exterior world is not a distraction from the interior world within oneself.

6. Dharana: Concentration, meaning the ability to focus on something uninterrupted by external or internal distractions.

7. Dhyana: Meditation, building upon Dharana, the concentration is no longer focused on a single thing but is all encompassing.

8. Samadhi : Bliss. Building upon Dhyana, the transcendence of the self through meditation. The merging of the self with the universe. Sometimes translated as enlightenment.

About Hatha Yoga

Hatha Yoga describes any of the physical practices of yoga. (Remember that yoga has eight limbs, only one of which, asana, involves doing yoga poses.) When you do Iyengar, this is hatha yoga; when you do Ashtanga, this is hatha yoga too. “Hatha yoga” can be used interchangeably with “yoga.”

Hatha yoga will likely be a slow-paced stretching session with some simple breathing exercises and perhaps seated meditation. This is a good way to learn basic poses, relaxation techniques, and become comfortable with yoga

WANT TO PRACTICE YOGA PROPERLY? Learn more about Yoga

The fact is that we live in an "exhausted" society. And I'm sure you've had first hand experience with the ever present "energy drain" of modern life. What a relief it is to learn that a simple physical practice of Yoga can give such an amazing energy boost. And not just a temporary jolt, but permanent improvement. To exercise yoga properly, I recommend you to learn more about Shape Shifter Yoga at this resourceful place, Just Click Here!  

Article by: Uno Birawan