Yoga Poses For Period Cramps

Periods can be a breeze for some women, while it can cause a lot of anguish to others. Painful periods can actually impact women in various ways. It can impact their work life, energy levels, and their mood as well. Additionally, your sleep is also affected. Many of you reading this, may also face issues with digestion, including bloating. But you do not need to worry, as you are not alone in this.

So, here we have yoga poses for period cramps relief for you, so that you can lessen the pain and enjoy a good life, even during periods. But before we tell you about the poses for period cramps, you must know why period pain occurs.

Why Do Some Women Get Painful Periods?

Vaginal bleeding or periods are a common occurrence, and happens to be a part of a woman’s life. Some of you may also suffer from back pain, diarrhoea, and lower abdominal pain during these days. Now, to break it up, there are two types of period pain. They are:

• Primary dysmenorrhea – This is the most common one. If your uterus has too many prostaglandins, then the muscles tighten and relax a number of times. These expansions and contractions cause period This pain often starts a day or two prior. It has been observed that younger women have more period pain, while older ones have less pain. After one delivers a baby for the first time, the pain can go away as well.
• Secondary dysmenorrhea – It generally starts a bit late in life. It is often a result of endometriosis and uterine fibroids.

Now, there are various things that you can do to ward off the pain. Most women resort to using a heat pad, exercising, a warm bath, or do relaxation practices. Yoga is one of them. It is a completely wrong notion, which many people have harboured of late about yoga. It is not just an exercise, but much more than that. Yoga is a holistic practice that includes the mind and soul, as well. So, get ready to know about the best yoga poses for menstrual cramps.

Effective Yoga Poses For Menstrual Pain

Firstly, there are quite a few positions that promote relaxation and proper blood circulation. So, you can avail yourself of those. You can do certain practices, while going about your normal tasks as well.

• While sitting in a chair, ensure to keep a pillow handy for lumbar support. It eases the pressure on the back. The main key is to keep the spine in a neutral position. When you are sitting on a chair, the knees must be aligned at 90 degrees with the floor.
• Secondly, you should take breaks while going about your normal tasks. Always move around for some time, while you work at your desk. It helps to ease off some of the pressure.

If you follow these on a normal day-to-day basis, then you will experience lower menstrual pain. Now, let us move on to the yoga poses which you can practice, to get rid of the menstrual pain.

Bhujangasana

This is also called the Cobra pose. You have to start the asana in a prone position, with the hands by your shoulders. The fingers should be pointing forward and the legs should be stretched backward. Slowly, exert pressure on your palms and raise the torso from the ground, while straightening the hands a bit for support. The belly button should be touching the floor. The head is raised till a certain level, and your gaze remains in forward direction. This asana is extremely beneficial, as it strengthens the spine, stretches the chest and the shoulders, and also opens up the heart and lungs. You will be able to get rid of cramps due to menstrual bleeding, as well.

Baddha Konasana

This is another yoga asana, which you can perform to ease your period pain. Most often, the lower part of the body becomes heavy, when you are having periods. At such times, seated poses will be beneficial. The Baddha Konasana is one pose, which helps to open up the pelvic region. You must sit down, while pulling the heels jointly towards your groin region. The back must be straight, when you are doing this asana. You can also bend forward, when you are settled in the pose. It is a great exercise for the pelvic region and helps in countering pain.

Paschimottanasana

Famously called the Seated forward bend, this is a simple asana, in which you must seat yourself with the legs stretched forward. Basically, you must be seated in Dandasana. Slowly, bend downward and try to touch the feet with your hands. You must ensure to keep the forehead in contact with the knees, without bending the legs. This is one of the most beneficial asanas for period pain. Moreover, this asana gives a good stretch to the calf muscles and hamstrings, giving you better flexibility.

Balasana

Also called Child’s pose, it gives a lot of flexibility to the body. Child’s pose does just that and more.  It helps in flexing your reproductive organs, as well as releases the pressure from the back, neck, and the shoulder region. Additionally, it also relaxes the abdominal muscles. In this pose or asana, you have to get down on all fours, then sit in Vajrasana. The hands stay on your knees. Slowly, you need to raise the hands in front of you, while bending the body forward. You must ensure to lay your forehead on the floor, while keeping the palms of your hand on the floor way ahead. Relax in this position for some time. After a few breath counts, you can resume your normal stance.

Viparita Karani Asana

It is better known as the Inverted leg pose. This asana is simply great for physical and mental benefits. If you practice this asana or pose on a daily basis, you will likely experience better blood circulation and digestion. It is also believed to impact positive thinking. The back muscles are also relaxed during this asana. Thus, proving to be beneficial for women during their menstrual cycles. You have to be on the bed or the floor, during this asana. The legs are held at an angle of 90 degrees, which you can rest on the wall. The hands are stretched on either side of the body.

You can practice one of the above yoga poses to ease period pain. These are extremely beneficial for women during this time.

Conclusion

If you are looking for yoga for relieving period cramps, the best ones are to be followed. You must also engage yourself in contemplation, to distract your mind from the pain. The best yoga school in India, Living Yoga School can be the best place, where you can master the above poses. You also learn about alignments and modifications, to suit your body type. The best teachers will guide you through the intricacies of the poses and explain the right benefits. If you want to get rid of excruciating period pain, do practice the poses regularly. Moreover, you will also be able to learn about holistic practices like breath works, which further add to the mitigation possibilities.