Increase of blood pressure?

[Matte87]

Alright this might sound weird, but I'm sure I've read it somewhere and I felt like making a thread about it instead of going on a google-rampage. I read that monks can increase their blood pressure in certain parts of their body by will. I did some meditating a few years back and the techniques used were about storing up chakra. I don't really believe in chakra, but the effects it had on my body were pretty awesome. I felt tingling and rushing sensations, sometimes very strong ones and wether it's chakra or just my brain (also read that doing the exercises I did, pretending I was touching my fingers etc with a brush, I activated the areas and electrical signals were being sent as if I was actually touched, kinda like the brain was preparing the skin for touch) its effects were cool. I'm not sure how to explain what I do, but I can somehow increase pressure in my arms and hands, just like you would if you were to hold your breath and flex all your muscles. The hands get warmer and starts tingling right away. Only I don't flex any muscles or hold my breath at all. First of all, can anyone else do this or have you read about it? Second, can this be used to keep my hands warm? I'm rather cold during the winter and as I work outside all day I tend to get really cold hands. Haven't given it much of a try for more than a few seconds but I intend to try tomorrow.

[Supernova]

You could start by googling the word chakra. (I don't mean that to be a flippant asshole, but getting a clearer definition of a few things might help you sort things out. I've never read anything about this, but it wouldn't surprise me if it were possible, your blood vessels regularly contract and expand on a unconscious basis.)

[Moon]

I've noticed that I can make my hands warmer too, even though I don't use this "ability" very often. It always happens when I relax and get into a slightly meditative state (doesn't have to be deeply). When I'm in this state, I can feel a kind of energy in my whole body which also surrounds it. I believe it's this energy that increases my circulation so that both my hands and feet, which easily get cold during this season (even when I'm indoors) become warm. Sometimes they get so warm that it almost burns, but the reason for this is probably that I'm not used to having this circulation at other times. The only other situation where my hands and feet become this hot is after exercising the body.

[Matte87]

I'd rather hear from people on the site if they've experienced the same thing Supernova, I'll try to google "chakra" if I don't get many replies.

[melanieb]

It sounds interesting...but have you tried gloves? Willing the sensation of warmth to be present in your extremities is not all that difficult to achieve. Your brain is regularly fooled by illusory sensations. You can demonstrate this by sticking your hands in very cold water and then removing them...they will start to feel warm. I think it can work...a case of mind over matter. Just don't ignore signs of frostbite.

[khh]

Why not test it? Just do the hands get warm thingies, and have someone else tell you if they've gotten hot.

[tommo]

Depends. If you're increasing blood pressure by constricting your blood vessels somehow, that will make your extremities colder. If you're just increasing circulation (probably most likely, as it happens when you relax anyway) you will warm your extremities up. Related: I watched a doco a while ago about this guy who learned to regulate his body temperature and he ran a marathon in the snow, with only undies on. He got a bit of frostbite though, but he apparently healed that by increasing circulation in his feet for a few days as well. I definitely think it is possible to do, given that it has been shown that experienced meditators can actually alter the function of their organs.

[Matte87]

Haha of course I have gloves on when I work, infact I have two different kinds It's just that I get cold hands and feet very easily. Tried it a bit today, gave it a minute or two of constant focusing when my hands were getting cold. I started feeling tingling sensations like usual and could feel my pulse in every finger, I didn't get any colder but I also didn't get any warmer. It kinda feels like I'm straining the muscles in my arms a bit once I do it. Like you try to reach for something that is just out of reach and you will your fingers to get just a little bit longer. Yeah I've read about that guy too, he's pretty amazing. Also found out that some monks can increase the temperature in certain parts of their body without raising the core temperature. I guess I'm doing something similar. I'll try it out for a longer amount of time tomorrow and come back with some results