This investigation aims to determine the effects of a 4-week yoga intervention on sodium-induced pressor and endothelial function responses as well as markers of renal sodium handling in African American adults.

Inclusion Criteria:

• African American
• Adults ages 18-60 years

Exclusion Criteria:

• pregnancy or within 60 days postpartum
• having taken blood pressure (including diuretics beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, and calcium channel blockers) or statin medications within the past 3 months (statins have been demonstrated to reduce oxidative stress which could impact flow-mediated dilation);
• infection (viral or other) within the past 4 weeks;
• having adrenal or endocrine tumors (these could impact BP);
• renal disease defined as a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of less than 60 (creatinine will be tested at initial screening and GFR will be calculated);
• prior myocardial infarction; vii) known coronary heart disease;
• personal history of stroke;
• heart failure;
• cardiac arrhythmias;
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
• recent chest pain or dyspnea;
• orthopedic limitations that preclude the execution of yoga postures;
• current insulin dependence;
• currently taking steroid medications;
• currently undergoing chemotherapy or radiation;
• having practiced yoga or yogic breathing techniques at least once weekly consistently within the past 3 months;
• heat intolerance or electrolyte imbalances (hypo- or hyper-natremia or hypo- or hyper-kalemia).