If there’s one thing all of us menstruators can agree on, sometimes there’s just NOTHING that can ease period pains and symptoms.
Midol, a warm compress, or comfort food during menstruation sometimes just doesn’t cut it!
What if I told you that a few simple yoga asanas (poses) could bring you relief beyond belief?!
Even if you’ve never practiced yoga a day in your life, here are five poses that you can do to bring sweet relief during that time of the month.
Yoga poses pigeon. Demonstrates how to perform asana. Image from https://www.dreamstime.com/.
The pigeon pose (asana) is done by placing one leg bent and perpendicular in front of your hips while your other leg is extended behind you.
This pose will bring cramp relief by stretching and opening your hips.
Yoga poses: reclined butterfly. Demonstrates how to perform asana. Image from https://www.dreamstime.com/.
This simple pose is done by lying on your back with your knees bent. Then place your hands on your pelvic region and slowly open your legs.
With each exhale, allow yourself to open your legs slightly more, stretching the muscles around the hips.
The reclined butterfly pose will allow for the external rotation of the hips which increases blood circulation and reduces stress and anxiety.
Yoga poses: legs up the wall. Demonstrates how to perform asana. Image from https://www.dreamstime.com/.
To perform this asana, simply lay down with your back to the floor and your bottom touching a wall with your legs resting on the wall perpendicular to your body.
Your body should be at a 90° angle with the wall.
The purpose of the legs up the wall asana is to soften pelvic muscles to alleviate cramping and has a calming effect.
Yoga poses: happy baby. Demonstrates how to perform asana. Image from https://www.dreamstime.com/.
The happy baby pose is done by laying on your back and bringing your knees towards you and to your sides (obliques).
Reach and pull your feet towards you further into your sides to stretch deeper with every exhale.
This asana releases tension from the hip joint and helps enhance your mood.
Yoga poses: sphinx. Demonstrates how to perform asana. Image from https://www.dreamstime.com/.
To perform the sphinx asana, start by laying on your belly with the palms of your hands on the ground and at the sides of your head at 90°. Take a breath and as you exhale, push yourself up with your hips still on the ground and your arms still at 90°.
The sphinx pose will strengthen your spine and help relieve any lower back pain from menstruation as well as loosen the hips.
I have struggled my whole life with extreme period symptoms which can be no joke!
These basic period poses have come to bring me pain relief, hormonal balance, and just more happiness while I am menstruating.
If you are a menstruator or you know a menstruator who has benefitted from these period poses, let us know @HerCampusSJSU!