Role of Yoga in Managing Blood Pressure-A Preventive and Therapeutic Approach

This study investigates the effectiveness of yoga interventions in managing systolic blood pressure (SBP) among prehypertensive young adults aged 18 to 30 years. Employing a mixed-methods design, the research integrates a quasi-experimental quantitative approach with qualitative semi-structured interviews to assess physiological outcomes and participant experiences. Participants were randomly assigned to four groups: asana-only, pranayama plus meditation, integrated yoga (combining asana, pranayama, and meditation), and a control group receiving lifestyle advice. Over an eight-week intervention, significant reductions in SBP were observed in the integrated yoga and pranayama plus meditation groups compared to control and asana-only groups. Qualitative findings highlighted enhanced adherence and stress reduction as key facilitators of these effects. The results demonstrate the superiority of multi-component yoga practices in preventing progression from prehypertension to hypertension and underscore the importance of psychological engagement in achieving cardiovascular benefits. These findings support the inclusion of holistic yoga interventions in early hypertension management strategies for at-risk populations.