aka: Yoga for days when you really just want to curl up in a ball and maybe rock back and forth a little.
Gentlemen, sorry to leave you out today, but there’s lady business to discuss. One of the most challenging times to stick to that yoga practice is when you’re having serious menstrual cramps. Thank goodness there are poses that can help us gals get through our periods!
I’m not a big fan of taking medicine, especially pain medication. Whenever possible, I prefer trying to treat a headache with a cup of tea and some quiet time or soothe sore muscles with stretching and rest. The same goes for my period. I get terrible cramps sometimes but really would rather not pop a pill.
Last week was really bad, so I tried modifying my practice on Friday to help relieve some of the pain in my belly and lower back. I was able to come up with a few poses and then turned to Yoga Journal to track down a few more. Here’s the series I ended up with:
- Full lotus – focusing on keeping a really straight back helped fight that urge to hunch over.
- Cow Pose – such a great belly stretch, and it relieved so much pressure!
- Half Moon Pose – I have a hard time balancing when I’m on my period, and Half Moon is pretty forgiving. That hand on the floor makes such a difference!
- Extended Side Angle Pose – This helps actively stretch out all that soreness in the middle of your body. So energizing!
- Camel Pose – Be gentle with this one, since your back is probably tender. It’s worth it, though, for that good belly stretch!
- Downward Dog – I am convinced that this is the perfect posture. No matter what’s sore, a little Down Dog always seems to help!
- Child’s Pose – because why not give your body what it wants for a few minutes?
- Modified Reclined Twist – rather than leave one leg straight, lay on your back and draw your knees into your chest. Put your arms out to either side, and inhale. On your next exhale, use your right arm to pull your knees to the right, twisting your spine and keeping both shoulders on the floor, and turning your head to gaze past your left arm. Hold this for a few moments, then repeat on the left side.
- Reclining Big Toe Pose – Focus on keeping your lower back flat on the floor here.
- Reclining Hero Pose – Relax. Breathe. Let go. You did great!
Of course, you’ll want to finish with a nice, long relaxation. Treat yourself by grabbing a blanket to keep your midsection extra warm while you let your body recover.
It’s usually hard to get going when you’re experiencing pain, so give yourself a break. When I’m deliberating about whether to get up and practice, sometimes it helps to make a little deal with myself to take things slow and easy. Heck, if otherwise you weren’t going to practice at all, you win just by rolling out that mat and breathing, right?
Image Credit: Creative Commons photo by pinkcotton
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