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Woman's Balance: Inversions and Menstruation
By Mary P. Schatz, MD
Yoga teaches us balance: balance of the body in relation to gravity;
balance of the mind between action and observation; and balance of the
neuroendocrine system between stress and relaxation. Through a regular
yoga practice we learn which poses are effective in re-establishing balance
in some aspect of our existence. In this ancient discipline as taught
by BKS Iyengar, there are poses that are particularly useful during the
menstrual period. These poses ease menstrual cramps, heavy bleeding, pelvic
discomfort and the low back pain associated with menses. They are also
effective in smoothing out the emotional rough edges some women encounter
at this time of their cycle.
Geeta S. Iyengar, Mr Iyengar’s daughter and a yoga teacher at his
Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute in Pune, India, has a particularly
strong interest and great experience in yoga for women. Recommendations
on the poses in this article are from Geeta’s basic principles.
Just as some poses are helpful at period-time, other poses should be
avoided. Many women ask if these recommendations stem from a cultural
tradition that is sexist, and yoga teachers are often reluctant to tell
menstruation students not to participate in parts of the class, lest they
feel singled out and ostracised. These guidelines are not sexist, however,
they are based on sound physiologic knowledge and time-tested applications
of yogic principles to women’s needs. We are cyclic beings. Denying
that we are, does violence to the basic principles of self-understanding
we seek through yoga.
The menstrual period should no longer be dreaded as “the curse”.
Instead, in combination with a special menstrual yoga practice, it can
be welcomed as a time for going within, for allowing ourselves to be in
low energy. Use this time to experience different aspects of your nature
and your yoga practice. So often we are drawn to the exhilaration of the
standing poses, arm balances and backbends. These are great fun and immediately
rewarding, as they suffuse us with energy. But a practice that is always
high-energy needs to be balanced with quiet and peace low-energy yoga
can offer. The menstrual period is a perfect time to vary one’s
practice and turn inward.
Poses to avoid during the menstrual period
Inversions are not recommended during the menstrual period for philosophic
as well as physiologic reasons. During the menses. The pelvic vascular
bed contains more blood than at other times of the cycle. The uterine
blood supply enters the uterus from the right and left side of the pelvis.
These blood vessels are located in the broad ligaments that suspend the
uterus from the pelvis. The uterine arteries are thick-walled and muscular.
The uterine veins are thin-walled and easily collapsed. During inversions,
the uterus is pulled towards the head by gravity, causing the broad ligaments
to be stretched. This can cause stretch and partial collapse or occlusion
of the thin-walled veins, while allowing the uncollapsed arteries to continue
to pump in blood. Thus more blood enters the uterus via the arteries than
can be carried away by the veins. The vascular congestion that results
can lead to increased menstrual bleeding.
Hindu philosophy teaches that during menses the direction of energy is
down and out of the body. This flow should not be obstructed or reversed
as it is in inversions. There have been numerous misconceptions about
why to avoid inversions. I would like to dispel two of them:
Endometriosis: Endometriosis is a condition in which
a small areas of endometrial tissues (uterine lining) develop on the surface
of the pelvic and abdominal organs. This tissue responds to the hormones
of the fertility cycle. When menstruation occurs, these foci of endometriosis
break down and bleed just as the uterine lining does. But since there
is no exit for the flow, scarring and adhesion result. This can cause
pain and infertility.
It was once thought that endometriosis resulted from the escape of small
bits of menstrual endometrium through the fallopian tubes into the pelvic
cavity. It was postulated that these fragments of tissues implanted themselves
on the surfaces of pelvic organs and proceeded to grow. If this theory
were true, it would certainly be reason enough to avoid inversions during
the menstrual period. However, this is no longer though to be the origin
of endometriosis. It is known that endometriosis arises from the presence
of cells in the pelvic lining that are capable of developing into endoetrial-type
cells.
Infection: It has been suggested that inversions during
menses increase the incidence of pelvic infection. This is not the case.
Conditions for the ascent of bateria up to the uterus are not more favourable
during menstruation or inversion. Bacteria move in the layers of fluid
on the surface of the vagina and uterine lining, essentially free of gravitational
effect. If inversions did cause pelvic infections, then they would be
contraindicated in women regardless of the time of the cycle.
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