Yoga has been an integral part of my life since I can remember. I have an incredible mother who has taught yoga for many years as well as strictly following her own practice. Through this experience, I have been lucky enough to gain an in-depth understanding of the philosophies of Ayurveda, and I believe this is most likely why I became a practitioner myself. Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture are now my livelihood as I treat all of my wonderful patients at my clinic, Nuwa Natural Health.
YOGA FOR FERTILITY
Because of my special interests in fertility and women’s health, I treat a lot of women who are eager to know what they can do to support their fertility journey. I recommend yoga to practically all of my patients – some already have their own practice and others are completely new to the world of eastern medicine. Yoga is a potent tool as it has the ability not only to get your body moving, articulating interesting shapes and postures but it can also help to manipulate your body’s Qi or prana by activating the meridians and increasing energy and blood flow throughout the body.
Yoga can be used to nurture and support a fertile life, not just the process of making a baby. Although it can be a useful adjunct to treatment to increase your chances of becoming pregnant, yoga may also help improve key indicators of a women’s overall health such as menstruation and hormonal balance and stress levels.
Within traditional yoga practice there are specific postures, breathing techniques and daily rituals that can help with regulating your endocrine system, increase circulation to the pelvic area and to your reproductive organs which, as a result can also increase libido (and therefore your fertility because these two factors are closely linked).
Having a regular yoga practice has also shown to reduce cortisol in the body and promote relaxation, which is an extremely curial part of wellbeing and fertility. High cortisol equals out of balance sex hormones resulting in a not so fertile life.
YOGA POSTURES FOR FERTILITY
The following 5 postures are my recommendations for a more fertile, healthy, vibrant you and are super easy to weave into your day. You may choose to hold each posture for 1 to 5 minutes depending on how much time you have up your sleeve.
BALASANA - CHILD'S POSE (WITH KNEES WIDE)
Gentle, nurturing and restorative is how we describe Balasana – we can achieve balance, release tension and decrease stress by practicing this pose. I recommend this posture for any ladies with lower back tension, PMS and menstrual cramps. By taking the knees wide apart in this posture we get a deeper opening into the hips and tallow the breath to flow more easily all the way down to the belly. Find more instructions for moving into and out of Balasana here.
VIPARITI KARANI - LEGS UP THE WALL POSE
This posture is the ‘jewel’ for women in yoga practice. It is believed that your blood and hormones circulate more effectively around the body when you are inverted. If you are trying to conceive then this pose is excellent to do after intercourse. I also recommend this pose for anyone feeling stressed or anxious as it promotes relaxation, calms the central nervous system and restores equilibrium within your body. Find more instructions for moving into and out of Vipariti Karani here.
PASCHIMOTTANASANA - FORWARD FOLD
This posture provides you with a beautiful stretch for the hamstrings, lower back and hips. When in this posture we are gently massaging our reproductive system and increasing blood flow to the pelvic region. Practicing forward folds helps induce a state of peace and is ideal for calming the nervous system, reduce stress and encourage happy hormones. Find more instructions for moving into and out of Paschimottanasana here.
SUPTA BADDHA KONASANA - RECLINED BUTTERFLY POSE
This posture is a key pose for regulating your cycle as it encourages blood flow to the pelvic region and opens up the inner thigh energy channels. Additionally this posture opens our heart and calms the mind. The pelvic girdle is where svadhisthana charka (sacral charka) manifests. Opening this charka’s energy will encourage sensuality, sexuality, emotions, intimacy, desire and creativity. Supta Baddha Konasana is recommended throughout your cycle and for those trying to conceive, especially around ovulation. Find more instructions for moving into and out of Supta Baddhakonasana here.
SETU BANDHA SARVANGASANA - SUPPORTED BRIDGE POSE
One of my all time favourites, supported bridge pose is a calming and relaxing posture. It stimulates the abdominal and reproductive organs, strengthens are lungs and stimulates the thyroid. For women it has so many benefits, whether its menstrual discomfort, PMS, menopause or just feeling a bit hormonally out of balance this posture is a must. If you don’t have any yoga props at home I often use some books stacked and a blanket or small pillow to create the height I want under the sacrum and voila, bliss! Find more instructions for moving into and out of Supta Baddhakonasana here.
Lots of love,
Jess. x.
For Recommended Yoga Studios in Currumbin Gold Coast see our Currumbin Directory
For Acupuncture Natural Fertility Treatments on the Gold Coast just click the link.
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