why to stay on the ground during your period

kim on 1:59 pm March 5th, 2010 / 2 Comments »

Often, female students ask why they shouldn’t invert during their period, i.e., why they can’t do headstand, handstand and shoulderstand.

The flow leaving the body during this time of the month is in part expelled by the body, in part pulled by gravity. To turn that process upside down is to interfere with nature.

The subtler reason not to turn upside down is that menstruation is a time to turn inside. Ever since I read this book, I’ve believed that women best serve their bodies by slowing down during the first few days of their period, and by staying internally focused during the week of expulsion. This means: sleeping more, drinking caffeine and alcohol less or not at all; drinking more water; sitting home on the couch instead of going out (dancing, for example); eating comfort foods; etc. We benefit by listening to the inner body, which is hard at work getting rid of toxins and experiencing loss–a typically welcome loss, to be sure.

I should have known I was not suited for Wall Street when I started advocating then to my friends about taking a rest during this time. They thought I was crazy. My suggestion was–and still is– that women all be given one day off a month, to work from home, call in sick, cancel travel and meetings, and generally truncate anything that would involve external focus and effort. I believe sincerely that women would have fewer PMS symptoms, have easier menstrual flow, conceive babies more easily, and eventually understand their bodies so well that menopause would not be the “terror” that it is believed by many to be.

So. We can start in yoga class by being honest about our cycle, observe the temptation to do what “everyone” else is doing (remembering, of course, that all asanas, especially and including all the inversions, were designed by and for men), alert the teacher to the fact of our menstruation, and rest in one of these three poses. There are loads of others, but these in particular enhance flow, settle the mind, and allow us to examine more deeply the all powerful abdominal breath.

If you have questions, ask them here or come to my classes and ask.

1. 
   On March 19th, 2010 at 8:02 pm S Stevens Said:

   Wow! I love this article.

   The 1st day of my cycle, I feel so calm and clear. I often try to do any sports or physical activity, but I often find myself running around. Because it’s not what I’m supposed to do. Sitting still and not “handling” business is something I have to learn to turn off.

2. 
   On March 25th, 2010 at 6:21 pm Beyonce Pregnant Said:

   would it be possible to translate your website into spanish because i have difficulties of speaking to english, and as there are not many pictures on your website i would like to read more of what you are writting.