Period + Yoga

[journlynne.livejournal.com]

I was in a yoga class tonight, when the instructor mentioned that the "downward dog" position shouldn't be done if you're menstrating. Well, I am, and thought it was nice of her to mention after an hour long class worth of the position. Does anyone know why that is said? My cramps kicked up after class, but I have notorious cramps and wouldn't thought anything of it had she not mentioned this...

Comments

[not-waving.livejournal.com]

i'm starting yoga soon! it was nice of her to say that, and just in case my instructor doesn't mention it, i'll keep it in mind!
thanks for passing the info on!

[journlynne.livejournal.com]

No problem. It sounds like a personal choice type of thing to me, but worth keeping in mind I suppose! Have fun with yoga, I adore it.

[vaverine.livejournal.com]

I know there are a number of positions that aren't encouraged when you have your period, and I believe that many of them are inversions.

Perhaps a risk of head-rushes? Bloating? I don't really know WHY. But I'm really curious to see if any one knows. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful, just wanted to chip in that I've heard of these warnings too.

[thevargasgirl.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure it has to do with increased cramping. Most yoga instructors do not recommend any upside down type positions either.
http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/search_poses.cfm?Contraindications=M08
There are some more poses you shouldn't do while menstruating.
I have only taken a few yoga classes and the instructors always say to tell them if you're menstruating or having any medical problems so they can let you know what not to do.

[journlynne.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the site. I haven't been doing yoga for that long, but it surprised me that she only said that at the end of class.

[meredydd.livejournal.com]

It's something to do with encouraging flow and preventing stagnation. Somehow, iirc, it ties into Ayurvedic medicine. I think.

[feckalyn.livejournal.com]

That's what I recall as well.

[thevargasgirl.livejournal.com]

http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/546_1.cfm
That is what yogajournal has to say. So bascially, it's up to you.

[inky-g.livejournal.com]

My instructor says that women are encouraged not to do inversions while menstruating because it interrupts the energy flow. During menstruation, the body is ridding itsself of excess energy, and by inverting, you are interfering with this. So yeah, its an individual choice. But it has nothing to do with cramps.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_appassionata_/]

My yoga instructor told us the same thing. She said basically when you're menstruating you want to focus your energy on moving things down and out...and downward dog moves things the other way. So not very scientific or anything, but it makes sense to me. I don't think it would hurt you, but still an interesting thing to think about.

[ckeytee.livejournal.com]

uuhh, i never knew that either bout downward dog.. that's cool of you to let us knoe tho :) , and also that part for 'Four-Limb Staff Pose' (i think that's what it called, when we lie down with our neck and both hands on the floor and the whole legs up.) isn't good for menstruating women either.. :D

[ckeytee.livejournal.com]

oh no.. that's not what it's called.. i have no idea what's it called but yeah..

[xsaltyx.livejournal.com]

Shoulderstand? That's an inversion, so would go along with what everyone is saying. :)

[ckeytee.livejournal.com]

oh yeah.. i guess so.. shoulderstand.. but not the icon in the pic, shoulderstand is it? anyways, wow, is that u doing the pose? nice! :) ..

[xsaltyx.livejournal.com]

In my icon? Yep, that's me! That pose is twisted side crow, but I think what you were describing is a shoulderstand. :)

[xiola-blue.livejournal.com]

wow-that is badass! (your icon)

[xsaltyx.livejournal.com]

Haha, thanks! That's just over a year of yoga to get me there. I took pictures the other day of some of my arm balances to send to my mom (she thinks I'm still a wimp, so I had to prove her wrong). :):)

[nurse-bateman.livejournal.com]

Whoa! As far as I know, a downward dog is ok to do if you're menstrating. I never heard of that one. I have heard about avoiding inversions but it's not like you HAVE to avoid them.

[journlynne.livejournal.com]

Thanks for all the comments! At least now I have an idea of why it's said and I can take it or leave it depending on how I feel :)

[-pez-.livejournal.com]

my teacher said the same thing about another kind of position (can't remember the name now)..anyways she said it shouldn't be done because its reversing the natural downward flow..

hope this helped!

[ciaobellanicole.livejournal.com]

There is a book out there called Yoga for a Healthy Menstrual Cycle by Linda Sparrowe, I checked it out at the library and I sure did learn alot. Personally I think it is a must read for any gal who does yoga and has periods. :O)

[lexicon-.livejournal.com]

My yoga instructor says we don't have to do any of the "upside down" type positions while we're menstruating, but that there's absolutely no harm in doing them.

[snowmentality.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure of why they tell you not to do inverted poses while menstruating. I know that the last time I tried to do downward-facing dog while menstruating, I nearly passed out. That may have been a coincidence, but I decided that in future, I'd take the recommendation to avoid inverted poses that time of the month!

[luckybleufox.livejournal.com]

i heard that yoga increases some type of hormone flow (which makes sense to me cause it's an exercise and exercise promotes ....thoses one things that make you happy- endorphines)so yeah and that it could make your flow heavier