Can You Do Yoga While Menstruating ?

[ballet_bun]

I read somewhere that women should not do yoga during their "moontime". Is this true ... if so, why? Or, is it just inverted poses that should be avoided?

TIA

<font color="pink"> Ballet Bun ... </font> http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/images/graemlins/driver.gif

[Robin41]

You know what? One of my yoga tapes has that same warning in the beginning to not do yoga if you're menstruating, but I never paid it any attention. I'd like to know the reason behind that too.

[Karonica]

Well, I remember in high school, I was taking Body Conditioning and we did lots of yoga. I told the teacher I didn't feel like participating that day because of my craps, and she said that the movement may help ease them. I ended up doing the yoga and felt no better. http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[ballet_bun]

Where's Isis when you need her ... Maybe she knows. I'm really curious ... I've read that you shouldn't, but nothing explain why, hmmmmm?

[karezone]

I have never heard that.
found some info

yoga and menstruation (http://www.kamayoga.com/KYYogaforWomen.html)

[Bettie]

You can't do the poses where your legs are raised towards the sky.

[ballet_bun]

karezone
Thanks for posting that link . The information was useful and interesting!

[Cat_Eyed_Cutie]

I've been told that it can cause endometriosis (sp?) which is a condition where the blood from your cycle gets backed up in your fallopian tubes and hardens.

[karezone]

[ QUOTE ]
Cat_Eyed_Cutie said:
I've been told that it can cause endometriosis (sp?) which is a condition where the blood from your cycle gets backed up in your fallopian tubes and hardens.

[/ QUOTE ]

That has been proven false. The blood that is in your uterus can not go back to your fallopian tubes. Look at the link.

[Poetess232]

Thank you for that link! http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I just started doing yoga, and I noticed that warning at the beginning of my tape, and I wondered why that was.

[Cat_Eyed_Cutie]

I'm just letting you know what a instructor told me. don't know how true it is.

[TripleP]

[ QUOTE ]
karezone said:
[ QUOTE ]
Cat_Eyed_Cutie said:
I've been told that it can cause endometriosis (sp?) which is a condition where the blood from your cycle gets backed up in your fallopian tubes and hardens.

[/ QUOTE ]

That has been proven false. The blood that is in your uterus can not go back to your fallopian tubes. Look at the link.

[/ QUOTE ]

i have that condition and trust you me you don't want that condition... i had it for years and did not know what was wrong... when i finally found a dr. that knew what was wrong she told me that i can either have kids, surgery or take pills... i opt for the pills.
You can get this by having sex in anything that has chlorine in it (not to say that is how i got it but that is one of the ways to get it)

[StarQuality]

I take yoga at a yoga studio that is at least 25 years old. The instructors take trips to India and really stay true to the begining theories of yoga. For example, not practicing on full and new moons. The reason why some say you are not supposed to practice during your cycle, or do inversions, is because you are purifying and cleansing the body, forceing impurites out. And as yogi put you wouldn't want to be forceing things out during the middle of class. The same reason why you aren't supposed to eat 2 to 3 hours before class. You can check out Yogajournal.com they have a great article that basically says do whatever you are comfortable with.

[Isis]

[ QUOTE ]
ballet_bun said:
Where's Isis when you need her ... Maybe she knows. I'm really curious ... I've read that you shouldn't, but nothing explain why, hmmmmm?

[/ QUOTE ]

Hi Ballet Bun! I missed this thread! I've learned that it's best to wait to do the inversion asanas until the moontime is almost over. Other asanas are ok during menstruation. The reasons are vague. I 've done the shoulder stand before during the heaviest flow and it did seem to increase the flow. I didn't feel that great afterwards. I won't do that again. I've done shoulder stands during other lighter days of the moontime without any problems. Here is one sight I found about a year ago that speaks of this:

The Pleasure of Yoga for Women

http://www.yabc.ca/index2.phtml/theme2/2002-08-05-031012/1

During a woman's moon cycle it is suggested that she refrain from doing inverted postures such as plough pose and shoulder stand and certain breathing exercises such as the kapalabhati (breath of fire). An inverted posture is any pose that elevates the legs, uterus or lower abdominal area above the heart centre. The abdominal area should be free from any pressure for the first few days of menstruation.
There are two perspectives explaining why women should not practise inverted postures during menstruation. The western point of view suggests that an inverted posture may lessen or even stop the menstrual flow and possibly increase the flow when it resumes. Moreover, eastern yogic philosophy teaches us that inverted postures block the apana (life force) energy from the pelvic region. If inverted postures and/or the breath of fire are practised during this time, women may feel nausea and/or dizziness.
Although moon cycles vary with each woman, precaution should be taken on the first few days depending on intensity of blood flow. Moderation and balance are the key words for women during certain times of their life.* Before beginning a yoga practise, consult your health practitioner if you are taking medication, have a heart condition, have high blood pressure, or suffer from PMS, endometriosis, irregular menstruation or other specific conditions.
Some general benefits of practising yoga regularly may be that it: aids in digestion and elimination problems, enhances mental focus and awareness, improves blood circulation and overall flexibility, relieves stress and discomfort from overwork, and strengthens the nervous and respiratory systems.
The following is an outline of more specific female concerns and the benefits of yoga:

MENSTRUATION (FIRST DAYS OF FLOW)
Yoga may alleviate cramps, open the abdomen, reduce fatigue, relieve back tension and assist in menstrual flow release.

[There's more info on that site regarding pregnancy and menopause]