In December 2018 researchers from Germany published the results of their study to assess the effect of yoga, with and without yoga postures, on hypertension. A total of 75 patients taking medications for hypertension (72% women, average age 59 years) were divided into three equal groups: a yoga group with yoga postures, a yoga group without yoga postures, and a control group who undertook no yoga. Each individual undertook 90 minutes of yoga each week for a period of 12 weeks. Blood pressure levels were measured before and after the study period. Results showed that the systolic 24-hour blood pressure level in the yoga group without yoga postures was significantly lower than in the control group. Moreover, it was also significantly lower than in the yoga group with yoga postures. Diastolic blood pressures did not differ significantly across the groups.
Cramer H et al. Yoga in Arterial Hypertension. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2018 Dec 14;115(50):833-839.