Yoga for Women in all Phases of Life

Today there are many medical options for treating "women's" health issues. There are also many self-help tools available to assist in staying vibrant and alive even during times of great hormonal shifts such as pregnancy, postpartum, premenstrual, and the peri and postmenopausal phases of our lives.

Yoga is an ancient science of self-development, originating in the Himalayas around 3000BC. The basic physical practices of Hatha Yoga can benefit people of all ages and abilities. Women in all stages of life may find specific practices that are very helpful.

Ayurvedic and homeopathic physicians believe that lifestyle factors that disrupt the body's natural rhythm and create hormonal imbalances strongly influence a woman's symptoms. Stress, bad eating habits, traveling, overwork, difficulties in relationships and lack of exercise all contribute to PMS and menopausal problems. Yoga asanas (postures or poses), breathing and deep relaxation provide great comfort and relief from many of these symptoms by restoring balance and harmony to all body systems.

Simple relaxation postures such as the corpse pose (shavasana), the crocodile (makarasana), and the child's pose (balasana) are particularly helpful in relieving anxiety and nervous irritability. The crocodile is helpful for women who experience severe cramping or are unable to relax lying on their backs. It allows the mind to focus inward with fewer distractions as the head faces downward, like a crocodile concealed underwater. The child's pose is a compact fetal-like posture that relaxes the body completely. It focuses the breath on the organ systems in the abdomen and the pelvis, which helps massage and tone them. The gentle inversion of head, neck and torso relaxes the back muscles, thus easing low back pain, a common premenstrual complaint.

Asanas to increase circulation and tone the endocrine system are very helpful for hot flashes and night sweats, the most common complaints of the menopausal transition. These would include the wide-angle pose, half plow, and forward bending poses either standing or seated such as downward dog or child's pose. Paced rhythmic breathing during all asanas will help the body adapt to the circulatory and hormonal shifts taking place. Rhythmic breathing will also provide a calming effect and relieves some of the anxiety accompanying the symptoms.

The best way to learn yoga is under the guidance of a seasoned yoga practitioner. The postures range from simple to challenging, and proper technique is essential. A beginning yoga class such as the ones offered at Orlanu is a great place to start. Weekly on-going classes are valuable for strengthening and deepening postures, and to practice meditative skills in a supportive, structured setting.

Many of us sail through our life cycles barely noticing changes in our physical and mental states. But those of us whose bodies send up red flags with each hormonal shift are given a special opportunity to renew ourselves each month. This is the perfect time to turn to a yoga practice.

Many thanks to www.orlanu.com which it the website for a healing, yoga, and meditation center in Mequon, Wisconsin.