Most of the studies on application of yoga techniques to improve
health and, more specifically, arterial hypertension, concentrate on
analysing the effects of the practice of body positions (asanas),
yogic respiration and/or relaxation. In the study at hand, the aim
was to go further and apply a complete programme of yoga techniques (positions, kriyas, yogic breathing, recitation of mantras,
relaxation and meditation), as well as practices of attention and
development of consciousness directed to daily life, because we
understand yoga as an integrative practice which is aimed at
achieving a state of wellbeing and physical, mental and spiritual
balance. This practice involves working on the body and the mind,
on the life style and on attitudes which the patient must develop
and that are based on acceptance of responsibility and commitment
to his or her own wellbeing. An appropriate practice of yoga techniques is oriented towards generating deep and lasting changes
which ultimately improve and maintain the general health state. It
is recommended to follow up on the participants in order to assess
whether the obtained results persist and whether the duration of
the programme in this study is sufficient to achieve lasting changes
in attitudes and life style or whether, on the contrary, a longer
lasting intervention is necessary. Furthermore, even though a significant change was confirmed by the physiological measurements
of systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate in the study
group, when analysing the data of the individual measurements
differences were observed in the responses to the treatment; hence
it would be interesting to study whether all participants can benefit
from yoga practice, either with a longer lasting treatment or a more
personalised programme, or if, on the contrary, there are patients
who are not sensitive toward this kind of treatment