The purpose of this investigation was to determine the acute effects of vinyasa yoga on arterial stiffness, wave reflection, and blood markers in normo- and hyper-tensive adults. To address this aim, fifteen normotensive adults and 15 adults with elevated blood pressure or stage 1 hypertension with a minimum of 3 months of yoga practice experience were enrolled. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV), augmentation index (AIx), lipid profile, and glucose concentrations were assessed at baseline and immediately following a 1-hour vinyasa yoga session.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Having normal (systolic blood pressure <120 mm Hg with a diastolic <80 mm Hg) or elevated blood pressure (systolic blood pressure 120-129 mm Hg) or stage 1 hypertension (systolic blood pressure 130-139 mm Hg or a diastolic blood pressure 80-89 mm Hg).
• Must have had at least 3 months of prior yoga experience.

Exclusion Criteria:

• A history of cardiovascular disease or cardiac events, pregnancy, infection within the last 4 weeks, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), endocrine or renal disease, metabolic disorders, or debilitating muscular, joint and bone injury.