There are no hard and fast rules if you should practice yoga on the first day or the entire four to five days of your menstruation. It is best to discover it yourself as to what best suits your body. You are a better judge of it than anyone else.
If you do choose to do yoga, it is always best to skip inversions. During the cycle, our body’s energy is naturally trending downward. A woman's body goes through a lot of changes and it is works hard to eliminate toxins. Nothing helps this process along more than simply taking it easy. Health entails keeping Vata (Vaathaya), Pitta (Pitha) and Kapha (Sema) in the right balance. In regard to the menstrual cycle, Vata needs special attention. Vata is the natural force that governs movement. For the monthly cycle to be comfortable, healthy and even beneficial, Vata must be in balance. Then there can be a smooth downward flow. Avoiding over-stimulation is always helpful to soothe and balance Vata, which is why there's an emphasis on getting rest during menstruation. It is said that practice of inversions during menstruation will reverse that movement leading to a cessation of flow and possibly heavier bleeding later on which may lead to endometriosis, a painful condition in which small clusters of uterine cells grow in the abdominal cavity. Therefore, if you are tired and achy, your body is telling you to take it easy, it is best to refrain from all strong asanas, inversions and favour more of a restorative practice like forward bends, gentle twists, supported backbends and more of meditation and savasana (relaxation) to stimulate and facilitate a smooth outflow. Sometimes the “real yoga” is being able to listen to your body and knowing when to back off! :) |
AuthorCharita Lankage Archives
October 2017
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