Yoga is a wonderful practice that offers numerous benefits for both the mind and body. However, practicing yoga during your menstrual cycle can be a challenging experience for some women. In this blog post, we will discuss how to practice yoga safely and comfortably during menstruation.
Listen To Your Body & Know Your Cycle
Hmmm, yes. Yoga, Tao, and Periods. Sounds quite ambitious to treat, isn’t it? Menstrual blood in itself already seems to create immediate oceans of confusion, silence, and sometimes disgust, which all vary according to cultures, countries, time period, age, personal perceptions – and an extra dose of very complex and subjective parameters that would probably be endless to list. Therefore, here comes a warning. This article won’t work as instruction on things you should or shouldn’t do when you are on your period. Every woman experiences menstruation differently; in fact, even each cycle is different according to the months. To acknowledge and respect this special time doesn’t mean going through the same routine every month or following the same advice scrupulously. It’s rather a good occasion – and maybe the best! – to listen to your body more closely and give it what it needs more wholeheartedly. It is my hope this article can help you with what works best for you.
The Traditionalists – Avoid Practicing On Menstruation
In traditional Hindu philosophy, including yoga, many references are made to Prāna – this cosmic force that permeates through all living and nonliving things – and its 5 subdivisions, the 5 ‘vāyus’ or winds. One of these five winds is said to be a downward flow or force called ‘apāna vāyu,’ responsible for eliminating waste inside the body through the lungs and bowel movements. For yoga traditionalists, menstruations are a part of this natural ‘apāna vāyu’ flow, and one should not restrict it while doing yoga not to create unbalances in the body. According to some Ashtangi practitioners strictly following K. Pattabi Joi’s words, women should not even practice at all as long as they are bleeding.
However, that’s for the purity of the tradition. And Yogic practice, let’s not forget it, often goes with the male perspective. Even Pattabi Jois’s daughter, Saraswathi Rangaswami, who still teaches at his father’s shala in Mysore, is less rigid. In an interview in 2007, she advised female Ashtangis not to practice during the first three days of the menstruation process, especially if they have pain or bleed.
The body needs rest and is asking to slow down, whether on the mat, working at our job, or at home. She also notes that the practice of the primary series should be enough for busy women on their periods – only yoginis that already have a long regular practice would be best suited for the Intermediate and more advanced series. Regarding asanas that should or shouldn’t be practiced, Saraswathi explains there are not many postures that need to be avoided while menstruating. But – and here starts the main yoga debate – she advises staying away from Salamba Sarvangasana or Sirsasana.
Inversions, Endometriosis & Menstrual Cycle With A Bit Of Polemic
Many women have been told practicing inversions while menstruating is to be avoided. Conversely, inversions are said to be potentially dangerous for the female body, increasing the risk of retrograde menstruation and, thus, endometriosis.
Endome – what, may you ask? Endometriosis, my friend.
Endometriosis is a condition as painful as its name is mysterious: the heart of the matter lies in the fact that what makes the inner tissue lining in the uterus go outside the uterus – mostly in zones it should not be found, such as the pelvic area and lower abdomen. This can result in painful periods and sexual intercourse. However, suppose it’s the first time you hear about endometriosis and inversions. In that case, you can wipe away the sweat that started to appear on your forehead when you remember all the times you had your pelvis suspended in the air while bleeding. Relax! There have not been any studies until now that have been able to make a direct link between endometriosis, inversions, and menstrual blood. But of course, wise one, if your family history makes you sensitive to this condition, turning your body upside down during these days may not be the safest option.
On another disagreement note, some doctors also claim inverting might not cause any severe conditions but cause vascular congestion, which is nothing more than heavy bleeding. Sounds like something we’d all like to avoid, right? But, here is a twist to the story. Most of the teachings we received regarding menstruation are based on the principle that menstrual blood is a natural purification process and that we should not disturb it. With or without yoga, with or without inversions, pranayama, or a cup of tea on a sofa, we should always let it flow. And this is what traditional Indian yogic philosophy supports with the ‘apāna vāyu’ downward flow that should not be disturbed. However, some other traditional philosophies give a totally different perspective that might make you reconsider your perspective on your periods, your practice, and your inversions. According to Chinese Tao mystic teachings, menstruating is not a time to let go of negativity, release dirt or ‘detoxify the body. Quite the opposite, they consider female menstrual blood as something to be preserved and kept inside the body as much as possible. In fact, periods are not seen as a natural purification process but as an immense reservoir of life force to be tapped into – for spiritual and healing purposes.
Energy Of Menstrual Blood And Contemporary Taoists
Contemporary Taoists such as Mantak Chia explain periods are responsible for a woman’s major loss of energy – while on the male side, ejaculation during intercourse would be the man’s responsibility. Women and men are said to be born with an abundance of creative or sexual energy. This sexual energy, which menstrual blood is part of, is then converted into ‘Chi,’ the life force energy in many ways similar to the Indian conception of ‘Prāna.’ The point is, unlike previously mentioned, headstands, shoulder stands, and even pranayama techniques such as Uddiyana Bandha are seen as a very positive way to keep this energy inside and reduce menstrual flow. It would help move the blood flow upward and to limit the loss of energy contained in the blood; more than that, it would enable us to tap into an energy that is only present during our particular time of the month.
If you are frowning at that point, it has to be said that scientifically, the blood we lose is a huge source of minerals and nutrients, containing 7 times more iron and 30 times more calcium than regular blood. Until now, a few original doctors have supported the idea a small or inexistent blood flow would be highly beneficial to female health, reducing feelings of fatigue, depletion, weakness, or even conditions such as anemia. Some observed women live very close to nature, eating fresh and holistic foods and living simple lives menstruating very little, unlike women living sedentary and stimulating lives in urbanized cities like most of us do. This perspective is based on the idea that menstruating is not as natural as we have been conditioned to think. But don’t be surprised if you realize how little menstruation has been investigated in medicine. It is another long debate that I believe is worth mentioning – and you can now deepen your search on the Great Internet Library if you feel like it.
Listen To Your Body During Menstruation
Best advice? Try everything out for yourself and see how you feel. Inversions and strong breathing techniques may not be very comfortable, but why not try a few headstands on the 3rd day, just as an experience? Or maybe a few yin yoga postures? But who am I to judge if you only feel like laying your attractive body in a starfish position, ice cream on your belly, locked up in a dark room for 4 days in a row? Whatever you choose, be sure that yoga is more than practicing or not practicing asana. Don’t limit your experience to a physical level only – no need for guilt or perfectionism here. A non-physical yoga, or a more meditative one, might be helpful for your periods. You might be surprised to learn in 2011, the Indian Industrial Psychiatric Journal published a research-led on 150 women for 6 months practicing regular meditative yoga Nidra. The results showed less painful periods and decreased cardiovascular and gastrointestinal disorders.
If you are feeling confused after reading this article – Good. Periods are still a very mysterious and taboo topic, and it is my pleasure to throw a few alternative thoughts on the matter. If you are not, good too! You probably know your body enough to give it what it needs. But whatever you are now feeling or thinking, I hope that next time you’ll have your periods, you will consider them a new unveiled territory to explore, not a curse that needs to pass.
Conclusion
In conclusion, practicing yoga during menstruation can be challenging, but with the right approach, it can also be a beneficial experience. By listening to your body, avoiding inversions, practicing gentle yoga, using props, and focusing on breathwork, you can practice yoga safely and comfortably during your menstrual cycle. Remember to be kind to yourself and honor your body’s needs during this time.
Happy bleeding!
