Can We Do Yoga During Periods ?
A woman’s life revolves around periods, which are often accompanied with pain, uncertainty, and misunderstandings—particularly regarding exercise. Many women wonder whether they may practice yoga during their periods or not; the short answer is yes; the long response is—it depends on your body, your symptoms, and how you feel.
Let’s discuss this subject more so you can choose what is best for you.
Knowing Your Menstrual Cycle
The menstrual cycle is a complicated hormonal process; it involves more than only bleeding. Your body is undergoing a normal detox during menstruation. Particularly decline in oestrogen and progesterone, hormonal swings can impact mood, energy, and comfort.
Some ladies get crampy, exhausted, or bloated. Some hardly remark on it. Thus, there is no one-size-fits all solution. One thing is certain, though: listen to your body.
Is Yoga Safe During Periods?
Most women can safely practice yoga while on their period. It can even help you feel more grounded, relieve period cramps, alleviate mood swings, and lower stress.
However not all yoga poses are easy. While some postures would make you uncomfortable or even aggravate cramps, others would feel more comfortable.
What Yoga Can Offer During Periods
- Pain Relief – By releasing muscular tension, mild yoga stretches assist to relieve lower back and stomach discomfort.
- Stress Relief – Yoga promotes deep breathing and awareness, both of which are natural stress alleviating techniques.
- Enhanced circulation – some postures help blood flow, therefore lessening weariness and heaviness.
- Hormonal Balance – Regular yoga practice helps regulate the endocrine system, which may lead to more balanced cycles over time.
Yoga postures suited for periods
Choose restorative and mild poses while you are on your period. Many women find these particularly useful:
- Child’s Pose (Balasana) is fantastic for soothing the nervous system and is a mild stretch for the hips and spine.
- Reclining Bound Angle (Supta Baddha Konasana):Opens the pelvis and aids in cramp reduction with reclining bound angle (supta badda konasana).
- Cat-Cow Pose (Marjaryasana-Bitilasana) softly massages the abdominal organs and helps blood flow.
- Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana) soothes the stomach and quiets the mind.
- Legs-up-the-Wall (Viparita Karani) calms anxious minds and weary legs.
These postures are meant for comfort and healing rather than physical performance; they do not demand great exertion.
What Not to Do
Although mild yoga can be quite helpful, some postures during your period might not feel perfect.
Usually, these are avoided during menstruation –
- Inversions (such as Headstand or Shoulder Stand) – Although there is no compelling scientific evidence against them, some yoga customs think that reversing blood flow during menstruation disrupts the natural downward movement of energy (known as Apana in Ayurveda and yoga philosophy).
- Intense Workout – These could aggravate pain or cramping.
- Hot Yoga – Heat and intensity can sap energy or cause tiredness.
Once more, it’s all about your feelings. If something feels wrong, respect your body and take a break.
Should You Skip Yoga Entirely During Periods?
Certainly not—unless you wish to. Periods are not an illness; they should not be treated like one. Rest if your body begs for it. If you feel like it, go.
Yoga is about balance between the body and intellect, not about pushing limits. It’s important to drop the guilt around skipping a workout and equally important not to push through just because you “should.”
What Should You Do If You Haven't Practiced Yoga?
If you’re only starting yoga, menstruation might really be a perfect time to start a mild, breath-centered practice. Yoga is a personal trip—not a competition. Start slowly, experiment with restorative sequences, and don’t stress about being “perfect.”
If you ever have doubts, especially if you have conditions like PCOS, fibroids, or irregular cycles, consider contacting a licensed yoga instructor or a doctor.
Expert Guidance from Dr. M.S. Siddiqui & Dr. Ruby Siddiqui
As a specialist in women’s sexual and reproductive health, Individualized attention is stressed by Dr Ruby Siddiqui. She suggests that no two women experience menstruation exactly the same way and that your physical activity—yoga included—should match your individual needs rather than rigid rules.
“Yoga during periods can be quite rehabilitating. It should be about reacting with care to the cues your body sends, not pressure. Your body should lead you.”
Consulting a gynecologist or women’s health specialist who can provide tailored guidance is a smart idea if you are experiencing unusual period pain, weariness, or hormonal imbalance.
Final Thoughts
Sure, you can practice yoga during your period—but only if it feels right for you. Consider your menstrual cycle as a special rhythm your body follows rather than as a constraint. Movement is the order of some days; rest is the order of others. Yoga encourages both of these.
Roll out your mat, inhale deeply, and move deliberately—or don’t. You are respecting your body either way, and that is the essence of genuine yoga.
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