YOGA AND THREE PHASES OF WOMEN
Asanas and Pranayama help women deal with the Physiological and Psychological effects of menstruation maternity and menopause calmly, says yoga experts:
There are 3 most important phases in a women's life-menstruation maternity and menopause. Doing yoga asanas and pranayama exercises are helpful in dealing with all the 3 phases.
MENSTRUATION::: Women go through menstruation between puberty and menopause. Proper functioning of the ovaries ensures a healthy menstrual cycle. Common disorders that a women experiences in this phase are painful. menstruation (dysmenorrhea) and PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome). dysmenorrhea results in abdominal and pelvic pain. Womb spasm, inflammation, improper development of uterus and stress can cause these disorders. Asanas like BADDHA KONASANA, JANUSIRSASANA & PASCHIMOTTANASANA increase blood supply to the pelvic organs.
JANUSIRSASANA
PASCHIMOTTANASANA
MATERNITY::: Yoga helps prevent miscarriages and failure to conceive because of defects in ovaries, inflammation or displacement of the uterus stability of mind and body helps a women conceive early. Once pregnant, the first 3 months are critical and prenatal care is advised. Yoga makes the pelvic muscles stronger and prevents back injuries because of the extra front load of the baby. Strong uterine muscles easy delivery pain too. Pranayama and Meditation along with GORMUKHASANA & BUJANGASANA extend the lactation period. Asanas and Pranayama stimulate the pituitary gland responsible for prolactin secretion. Yoga after delivery removes extra fats from the body. It also helps in reshaping the body and relieving the stress that was put on the pelvis, neck, back and solders from carrying the baby.
BUJANGASANA
MENOPAUSE::: Like menstruation, pause to the menstrual cycle of women also as its side-effects. Women first experience irregular menses, mood swings and anxiety. It also leads to osteoporosis or thinning of bones. Weight bearing yogic postures help in increasing muscle mass and density. Balance postures give more awareness and prevent falling, thus eliminating injuries at that age.
All the three stages cause emotional and Psychological disturbances in varying decrees. Pranayama works wonders as it reduces cortisol in blood, regulates the endocrine gland and maintains proper functioning of the crucial glands. Holistic yoga results in successful and positive completion of the menstruation phase, pregnancy, birthing process and menopause. Yoga not only reduces these symptoms, but it also makes it easier for a women to deal with Psychological effects with a greater sense of peace and acceptance.
