Shoulderstand and diabetes

Yoga Discussion Structural Yoga Therapy
#1

Dear Mukunda;
I recently attended your workshop in Calgary and purchased your book - STRUCTURAL YOGA THERAPY. On page 215 of your book you state that supported shoulderstand should not be done if you have diabetes. Could you please explain why this is so. Does the reasoning apply to all inversions, including downward facing dog, standing forward bends, etc.?

Also in the same paragraph you refer to a pranayama sequence called
Tank Sealing [Tataka Mudra] for alleviating high or low blood pressure.
Could you inform me where I could find information on this sequence?
Thank you for any info on the above. B

#2

This precaution is for those where detached retina is a potential problem. for diabetes in general it is helpful but must be individually adapted in advanced cases where circulation is compromised. Same reasoning applies to headstand but not minor bends you are mentioning. Tank sealing (Tataka Mudra) is a laying down procedure for use of two bandhas. I cannot convey it this way via email but can ask when you see me in person. It uses legs up (urdhva prasarita padottanasana) plus bandhas to seal the baroreceptors that regulate blood pressure. This is from my first teacher who received it direct via oral tradition from Sri Krishnamacharya.