| The Hatha
Yoga and Ayurvedic traditions discourage women
from undertaking vigorous exercise during
menstruation. Some writers suggest
relaxation from all physical activity during
this time of cleansing and contemplation.
If menstruation is challenging for you
physically and emotionally, this ancient advice
might be particularly applicable. But even
if it is a generally easy affair for you, you
might wish to consider whether or not pursuing
external activities during your period depletes
your immunity, or draws you away from the deeper
experience of this wondrous creative power.
In India, as in many Asian
cultures, it is expected that a woman will need
complete rest for a few days each month, leaving
her domestic and professional responsibilities
in the hands of family and colleagues.
While this may seem very impractical in our
present society, it is helpful to bear in mind
what the older and more integral cultures of the
world value. Between listening more
closely to our bodies and this ancient advice,
it might become very desirable to re-organize
schedules and priorities bit by bit so that more
rest and contemplation may begin to attend the
cycle. For example, while many of us may
not have the resources for such days of rest,
most of us could give ourselves an extra hour
here and there to enjoy a restorative posture, a
nurturing cup of tea, complete silence in the
home, and so on. Over time, the taste of
that extra rest might become so sweet that
enjoying more of it will not seem so much a
challenge to our schedule as it is a necessary part of it.
You may also have heard
or read that if a woman who is menstruating
decides to practice asanas, she should avoid
inversions. The reasoning behind this
advice is simple and mechanical. Menses is
controlled by the downward-flowing vital current
called apana vayu, which is also
responsible for elimination, urination, and
parturition. To change the bias of this
current in relation to gravity is to diminish
the force with which it moves. This can
potentially cause a disruption or weakening
in the proper flow of the reproductive tissue.
Those of Vata constitution specifically might be
aware that their flow is already subject to
irregularity. It should also be noted
that the condition of endometriosis is one in
which uterine-type tissues migrate upwards and
spread throughout the abdomen, and become
inflamed in harmony with the cycle. Some
Yoga Therapists suggest that inverting the
uterus encourages this upwards flow. Our
own feeling is that these instructions become more
relevant the longer the posture is held.
Practicing handstand for a few seconds at a time
will obviously not affect apana vayu as much as
will 10 minutes in headstand.
We should be clear that
these admonitions are not supported by
conventional scientific evidence, but that every
suggestion the tradition makes is based upon the
anecdotal history of generations of
practitioners. It is enough for you to
consider the advice and its reasoning, and
decide for yourself what is best for you.
If you are pregnant, or
think you may be, you should know that twisting
postures are contraindicated during the first
trimester. This is to avoid straining or
squeezing the uterine tissue as the fetus
sweetly lodges itself in your womb. From the second
trimester onwards, forward folds are said to
compress the abdomen, and so are ill-advised.
Belly-down postures are contraindicated.
So are supine postures, especially in the later
stages, when the weight of the fetus may
suppress circulation to the uterus or to the
lower limbs. Also, be very aware of the
increased mobility of the sacroiliac joint and
other semi-moveable joints. The hormonal
joint-softeners that allow the pubis symphisis
to open for delivery make all of a woman's joints
more vulnerable to injury.
Finally -- bring your
partners and spouses to class! It's clear
from the state of the world that not enough men
are practicing self-inquiry...
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