A quality of life issue

Following email exchange on a common discovery by women who practise yoga. Guys: if your partner, wife, relative, etc. is affected adversely by their monthly cycles, physically and emotionally, please suggest that they try yoga. Yoga has all but eliminated my period problems and the resulting improvement to my quality of life is immeasurable. No exaggeration.

You can refer to the books at the OmIm library on poses and practices especialy beneficial for this purpose.

Remember, as Zen writer, Cheri Huber, says:

• Pain is inevitable, suffering optional.
  
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Sau Fen
  To: MT
  Sent: Wednesday, September 22, 2004 1:40 PM
  Subject: Re: "Carry On"
  
  Yes! I used to be crippled by period cramps. i.e. i would lie in bed in a foetal position and refuse to go to work. When i started yoga, i would force myself to go to class (since i already paid for them) but i feel soooo much better after class. Most times the wretchness entirely disappears. Now I've learnt that many of the poses help with the spasms (one medical writer refered to these as "mini childbirth contractions") in the abdomen muscles that causes the pain. Child pose is especially soothing and offers emotional comfort. Many poses deal with hormonal imbalance like downward dog and the forward bends. Hormonal imbalance is the culprit during periods (esp just before the onset of the period) that causes breakouts, emotional upsets and that sense of "heaviness" that some people feel.
  
  However many poses that deal with period cramps and other menstration problems cannot be practiced during menstration itself. Like triangle pose. This causes too heavy a flow and the temporary loss of too much blood could mean dizzy spells for some. Some controversy over whether inverted poses (like shoulder stand) can be practised during periods. Not conclusive evidence that it is harmful. Some strict teachers and traditional schools will insist that women should not practice yoga asanas at all during periods. As it is seen as an energy draining time for them. They should practice breathing techniques to deal with the emotional turmoil and also meditation during the time. I see this as a call for women to develop a period of introspection during this period. It is an invitation and a reminder to understand ourselves, to take care of ourselves: body, mind and spirit. How wonderful to be a woman. More than all this, understanding how we are affected by our montly cycles allows us to see how EVERYTHING is constantly changing. We open ourselves to the pains and joys of all changes beyond our control and live happily come what may.
  
  As you can tell by now, all these varies so much from person to person. So you need to practice all the poses throughout your days and find out what works best for you.
  
  health & happiness,
  saufen
  p.s. thanks for your email. I've added my response to my blog for the benefit of others.
  
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: MT
  To: Sau Fen
  Sent: Wednesday, September 22, 2004 9:11 AM
  Subject: "Carry On"
  
  Hey Saufen!
  One amazing thing i've discovered with yoga. It's great for period cramps! really. have you experienced that? cause i get pretty bad cramps... and then i wont feel like going for yoga, but when i do go, they disappear... i think its probably due to all the stretching and twisting and loosening up of the stomach muscles... anyway, have a good week!
  m.