Effect of yoga therapy on cardiac autonomic functions and oxidative stress in subjects at risk of high blood pressure

INTERVENTION: Intervention1: 1.Standard lifestyle modification (LSM) : standard LSM as recommended by JNC7, 2003 includes, 1. Weight reduction 2. Salt restriction 3. DASH eating plan 4. Regular exercise 5. Reduction of alcohol Intervention2: Yoga therapy: Yoga therapy includes, a.Yogic counseling for initial few classes b.Preparatory practices c.Body movements coordinated with breath (Asans) d.Breathing practices (Pranayams) e.Relaxation techniques coordinated with breath (Shavasan) each session lasts 40 minutes for 3 days a week for 12 week in addition to standard LSM as recommended by JNC7, 2003 includes, 1. Weight reduction 2. Salt restriction 3. DASH eating plan 4. Regular exercise 5. Reduction of alcohol Control Intervention1: Lifestyle modification (LSM): Details: standard LSM as recommended by JNC7, 2003 includes, 1. Weight reduction 2. Salt restriction 3. DASH eating plan 4. Regular exercise 5. Reduction of alcohol CONDITION: Prehypertension PRIMARY OUTCOME: The addition of yoga therapy to standard lifestyle modification approaches confers additional benefits in terms of: ; 1. Lowering resting blood pressure ; 2. Increasing overall short‐term HRV ; 3. Indices of oxidative stress ; ‐‐‐‐‐‐Timepoint: After 12 weeks of intervention SECONDARY OUTCOME: Improvement in, ; 1. Quality of life ; 2. Mental/physical well‐being ; 3. Cardiovascular risk for next 10 years ; ‐‐‐‐‐‐Timepoint: 12 weeks after enrollment of the study for each person INCLUSION CRITERIA: SBP : 120 â?? 139 mmHg and / or DBP : 80 â?? 89 mmHg Age : 20 â?? 60 years Gender : both Willing to practice yoga Written informed consent