Hormonal Havoc
and 7 Reasons to Practice Yoga during Menopause
Do you feel well and happy with yourself? If you’re not feeling that great, have you considered that your hormones may be playing havoc with your body?
Did you know that from the age of 35 years our bodies start to enter the peri menopause state which creates a hormonal shift that is actually a mirror image of puberty and lasts for 6-10 years.
And now more and more women over the age of 50 are taking up Yoga because it is a great way to reduce or even eliminate menopausal symptoms.
During the ageing process, women obviously experience both physical and emotional changes but you may not know that the hormonal changes occurring in menopause are the same hormones that cause PMS symptoms during menstruation.
Yoga can help to regulate those hormones in a natural, drug free way.
‘Easy Pose’ for example is the perfect pose to help stabilize the fluctuation of hormones. Sit cross-legged on a mat with your eyes closed and take three deep breaths. Allow your mind to rest as you acknowledge the thoughts as they pass through your mind’s eye. Focus on the breath, relax and let the pose work it’s magic.
Not convinced? Here are seven great reasons why Yoga can help ease the transition of menopause for women:
1. Reduce hot flushes.
During the menopause, hot flushes are caused by an excess of ‘pitta’ (ayurvedic term) or ‘fire’ in the body that has to be released.
Some poses that can help include Seated Half-Bound Lotus Pose, Half Lord Of The Fishes Pose and Reclined Lotus Pose
When experiencing hot flushes, your movements should be slow and weight bearing, paying close attention to the rhythm of your breath and position of the tongue to the roof of the palate during practice. This allows the mind to become more calm and stabilized.
2. Lower stress.
Yoga literally means ‘union’ and it’s the union of breathe, movement and mind during Yoga practice that reduces anxiety. It helps clear any negative feelings and thoughts and produces a sense of calm and wellbeing.
It is also a highly effective method to reduce and control feelings of anger. When practicing yoga regularly, your overall sense of calmness will increase and as a result, you will feel happier and more stress-free.
3. Reduce aches and pains.
Yoga can give you a higher pain tolerance.
Aches and pains associated with menopause like neck and back pain, and just chronic pain in general, can be alleviated with regular yoga practice.
Sun salutations work every muscle in the body and help to increase flexibility in the joints — a complete physical and emotional work out by itself. Try 5-10 rounds per day, and even if you don’t have time for other forms of yoga you will experience dramatic relief from general aches and pains, I promise.
4. Lower blood pressure and reduce night sweats
A common symptom during the menopause is night sweats. Regular yoga practice reduces high blood pressure and promotes blood circulation and oxygenation in the body. This can help ease those awful night sweats. Yoga allows you to relax and focus your attention on your breath.
By taking your focus away from any stresses and strains of the outside world, you’re more able to focus on what’s happening in the now.
5. Natural pain relief.
Yoga is a fantastic and natural way to help ease the pain associated with the menstrual cycle. Lots of women suffer in silence or take endless painkillers, but yoga can help soothe the symptoms without having to suffer. It helps calm things down both physically and emotionally.
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5. Natural pain relief.
Yoga is a fantastic and natural way to help ease the pain associated with the menstrual cycle. Lots of women suffer in silence or take endless painkillers, but yoga can help soothe the symptoms without having to suffer. It helps calm things down both physically and emotionally.
6. Joint health.
Yoga has been proven to help people suffering from problems associated with joints, such as arthritis. While not all menopausal women will have arthritis, it’s a health concern that’s often associated with ageing.
Research published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, showed that practicing Hatha yoga can help to ease joint pain, fatigue and other related symptoms. A study involving women suffering from rheumatoid arthritis showed that after practising Yoga for just six weeks, they were happier and were more able to accept and manage their pain. The women also reported better general health and energy overall.
7. Yoga and Aromatherapy together – a match made in heaven
The diffusion of natural and therapeutic essential aromatherapy oils during your practice intensifies your focus and the effect of the yoga itself.
Healing benefits of aromatherapy oils include improved sleep, releasing old or negative emotions, experiencing a detoxifying or cleansing feeling, soothing tense muscles and helping to balance hormonal fluctuations.
