Yoga and Bloodpressure fall

I have a question for all you yoga experts.  I am not new to yoga.  I started doing it 20 years ago.  However I have not done a yoga class in about 5 years and not since I have gained about 60#s.  I have lost about 25#s and have increased my activity.  I have tried intergrating yoga recently.  I am real careful not to do asanas with food in my stomach and I make sure I am well hydrated.  However about 20 minutes into it I get real dizzy and when I check my blood pressure it is low for even me.  About 90/50something.  This does not happen when I walk or do other activities.  I know that yoga is hard and I am wondering if I am doing to much.  But that would not explain the drop in blood pressure.  Does anyone have any ideas?

What asanas are you doing when you notice the dizziness and/or BP drop?

That is a very good question. I will need to reflect on this. Most recently, since I have experienced the blood pressure drop, I have been doing flow yoga. So I am not sure that I can pinpoint the asana, I can try. It might even be during a transition / movement time.

I would definitely pay attention to what asanas or what transitions you're doing when you're blood pressure drops.  Could it be that you are pinching or binding blood vessles? 

I always get lightheaded and dizzy when I move suddenly upward after being down on the ground or leaning down for a while. It's simple orthostatic hypotension, goes away fast. Actually helps me calm down a bit and clears my head of extraneous thoughts. I'd say not to worry about it if it only happens when you return to an upright position after being on the ground, like going from child pose to mountain pose.

Original Post by todeinotaton:

I would definitely pay attention to what asanas or what transitions you're doing when you're blood pressure drops. Could it be that you are pinching or binding blood vessles?

I have a feeling you are on to something.  I will have to pay attention.

Yes, let us know if you discover a pattern.  Good luck!

I also get dizzy in yoga when bringing my head up from any kind of inversion too quickly.  Try coming up a little slower.  Hydration plays a role and so does food.  Although I don't eat for 2 hrs before practicing, I try to eat more of my calories early in the day when I am going to class after work (I eat 1300/day, and eat 500-600 before 5 most days, but at least 800 before 5 on days I go to yoga.)  I think eating a little more while hydrating helps my body hold onto the water a little better and helps with the dizziness.