Yoga for Menstruation

Menstruation. That time of the month. Period. Aunt Flo.

There are some schools of yoga asana that say don't practice while the flow is a-flowin'. I'm in the school that says listen carefully to what your body wants to do and wonders if the schools that say never practice when you are a-flowin' are rules dictated by men.

But, I digress.

Here is a practice if your body tells you it would like to move. They are poses that, supposedly, help with cramps and bloating. A great article to read on the subject by Geeta Iyengar is here.

Yoga for Menstruation

Also remember to eat well. There's a lot of nutrients leaving the body at this time and eating dark, leafy greens (or dark, not leafy chocolate) can help there. 

1. Nadi Shodna Pranayama (Alternate Nostril Breathing). 5-10 minutes
2. Upavistha Konasana (Seated Wide Angle Pose)
3. Take your torso towards one leg, through center, and then towards the other leg
4. Cat/cow spine in table
5. Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)
6. Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog). *Since the uterus is tipped here, its important check in to see how you are feeling in this pose. Some recommend this pose for cramps, others caution against all inversions.
7. Uttanasana (Forward Fold)
8. Tadasana (Mountain Pose)
9. Sun breaths in Mountain Pose
10. Supta Pavana Muktasana (Reclined Wind Relieving Pose). Repeat other side
11. Gentle reclined twist, either side
12. Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclined Bound Angle Pose). Hold for a good, long while
13. Viparita Karani (Legs up the wall pose). This is a good inversion that doesn't reverse "the flow"