Yoga advice for periods

(November 10, 2010)

Hi... From what i learn in my yoga class, you aren't suppose to do inverted postures (shoulder stand, head stand) during your period as this will disrupt your period flow. Which is most likely true??

Practicing yoga for periods is a good idea as it helps create a balance between your body and all other functioning organs. By practicing yoga for periods, you can ease issues such as heavy bleeding, pelvic discomfort, menstrual cramps, and pain in the lower back. Here are some yoga exercises for periods that can help ease some of the problems you face during this time.
Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend Pose) and Janu Sirshasana (Head to Knee Forward Bend Pose) help calm you and are beneficial for heavy bleeding and cramps. Some other beneficial yoga asanas for periods are standing poses such as the Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon Pose) and the Parivritta Trikonasana (Revolved Triangle Pose). Also, some yoga twists that help ease menstrual pain include the Parivritta Utkatasana (Chair Twist Pose), Supta Matsyendrasana (Supine Spinal Twist), and the Ardha-Matsyendrasana (Half Spinal Twist Pose). Also, the Supta Baddhakonasana (Reclining Bound Angle Pose), Supta Virasana (Reclining Hero Pose), and Supta Svastikasana (Prosperous Pose) are great for relaxing your nerves and muscles that are constantly strained and irritated.
Using these exercises in yoga for periods can prove to be quite beneficial, especially for those who are suffering from water retention, breathlessness, abdominal cramps, and heavy bleeding. In fact, a number of other menstrual problems can also be relieved by means of yoga. Irregular periods, for example, can be regularized with the help of a number of yoga poses that help target the root causes. The Ardha Chakrasana (Half Wheel Pose), the Simhasana (Lion Pose), and Bitilasana (Cow Pose) are just some of the few exercises for periods that you can practice.
In addition to the various asanas, pranayama (breathing exercises) is also beneficial. This form of yoga regulates the menstrual cycle. Anulom Vilom (Alternate Nostril Breathing) can help alleviate stress levels and cool down your body. Kapalbhati (Cleansing), on the other hand, helps regulate your thyroid, digestive disorders and helps with problems such as obesity. All this in turn is beneficial in regularizing your periods. In fact, you can use to yoga to regularize ovulation.
In addition to practicing yoga for your periods, it is important that you regularize the time you eat your meals, cut down on your caffeine intake, avoid red meats, and avoid getting stressed. By doing this your menstrual cycle will remain healthy. Remember that yoga is extremely beneficial, and if practiced properly, can exert an influence on your health that is positive. It can help change the way we feel, think and respond to various situations in our life.

Submitted by A on November 10, 2010 at 06:41

Yes, the advice you received is absolutely right, we go along with it and we suggest you do too. Meanwhile you will find useful reading at this URL: http://www.yogawiz.com/health-issues-and-yoga/yoga-for-menstrual-cramps.html

Take care and all the best.

Submitted by A on June 21, 2007 at 11:21