While there’s no cure-all for each and every symptom of menopause, research has shown practicing yoga consistently – even once a week - may provide ample relief for several symptoms.
Here are seven reasons to practice yoga during perimenopause and menopause.
1. Unlike HRT, it’s a natural remedy.
A consistently regular yoga practice will help quiet the mind and body and may help reduce the discomfort commonly associated with perimenopause and menopause.
Rather than relying on a hormonal approach to menopausal management, yoga is a natural, comprehensive remedy.
2. Yoga relieves stress.
A key component of yoga is pranayama, or the Sanskrit word for “controlled breathing.” This breathwork may help lessen anxiety, quiet the mind, and help women achieve a calm mental state during yoga and outside its practice. Pranayama can even improve sleep quality.
Similarly, yoga can also help women better manage and support overall mood. Savasana, or corpse pose, is a great way to reduce long-term stress and focus on the present moment.
3. A consistent practice may reduce blood pressure.
Some research shows blood pressure may increase after menopause due in great part to the hormonal changes that take place in the body. Fortunately, yoga is a traditionally utilized antidote. A consistent practice may help promote better oxygenation and blood circulation throughout the body.
4. Yoga promotes good joint health.
Research shows a frequent, and consistent, yoga practice may help relieve joint pain. Not all menopausal women have arthritis, but the condition does increase with age. As such, yoga will help to improve the way menopausal women live and work by strengthening joints and increasing flexibility.
Yoga can also target other common symptoms of perimenopause such as fatigue, making women who consistently practice it feel more energized as a result.
5. Yoga may help lead to fewer hot flashes.
Some say hot flashes are linked to an excess of pitta (or “fire”) in the body that must be released.2 Yoga is considered an effective way to release that fire, or energy—and slow, rhythmic, weight-bearing movements may help.
6. Relief from physical pain and discomfort.
Those who practice yoga regularly have been shown to develop an increased tolerance for pain over time.2,3 The specific aches and pains linked to menopause—think neck and back pain, as well as joint pain and overall chronic pain—may benefit from utilizing a natural option such as the regular and consistent practice of yoga. I teach a blend of somatic yoga, hatha yoga and therapeutic yoga – sometimes I add in qigong movements (which is similar to Tai Chi).
If you are new to yoga, my online yoga sessions (30 minutes) would be ideal for you.
7. Yoga is linked to better weight management.
The hormonal changes associated with menopause may also lead to weight gain.5 Yoga, however, is a great way to counter this.
What type of yoga should you do during menopause?
Feel free to contact me to discuss further – my style of teaching would be suitable for women going through any stage of the menopause. To book, please go to https://slowandsomaticyoga.com/classes/gentle-yoga-online/ (or look at the special offer on The RHClub website. ).https://slowandsomaticyoga.com/classes/gentle-yoga-online/
Comments