badhakonasana As a woman, it is essential that we take care of ourselves during the time of menstruation. Doing the wrong activities during this time or simply overexerting yourself while menstruating, are major causes of chronic PMS, menstrual irregularities, reproductive issues, and eventually disrupted menopausal transitions. Instead, we should focus on nourishing our body and mind during this time of lowered energy and inward healing, making some gentle restorative Yoga postures essential for all women.

Although the proper restorative Yoga poses can be extremely healing for cramping, congestion, and constriction in the pelvic area; performing the improper poses while menstruating can be equally as harmful. With the exception of the non-inverted restorative postures, all Yoga should be avoided for the first three to four days of menstruation while the flow is heavier. This is because menstruation is a time in which Apana the downward-moving wind is dominant. However, when practicing Yoga, typically Prana the upward-moving wind becomes activated, causing confusion between these opposing energies. Therefore any activities that promote Prana such as Pranayama, Yoga, meditation, and exercise should be avoided until the fourth or fifth day of the cycle, when the flow is much lighter. On these final days of menstruation, a mild Yoga practice can be performed but should be followed by some of these restorative postures at the end of the practice.

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This sequence consists of several healing restorative Yoga poses for the female reproductive system. If you are suffering from severe menstrual or reproductive issues, it is recommended to practice these poses regularly throughout the entire month to support healthy menstruation for future months. Otherwise, they can be done directly before and during menstruation each month.

**Please note that if you are experiencing acute cramping, any posture that folds forward should be avoided. The focus should instead be on reclined postures which will be much more beneficial at this time.

For this sequence, you will want a quiet and clean space to practice in. You will also need some pillows, blankets, and an eye cover (even a sock will do). No matter which restorative posture you are practicing, the energetics of the pose will remain the same, so please keep these tips in mind during your practice:

Do not push or strain into a pose
Come into a comfortable position where you can release all tension and muscle activity
Use lots of pillows for support (this will allow you to release rather than push)
If you feel uncomfortable, try adding more pillows!
Cover yourself in blankets to keep your body warm and comfortable
Use an eye cover for any reclined postures to enhance the calming effect

Restorative Yoga Sequence for Menstruation

Supported Supta Virasana

Supta Virasana is quite possibly the best asana for digestion issues which can be common before and during menstruation. This posture is amazing for stretching out the abdomen and relieving any constriction that may be occurring in the GI tract. This not only allows free-flowing energy to the visceral organs but also alleviates issues such as gas, bloating, cramping, hyperacidity, congestion, and general aching in the abdominal region. Further, this pose helps to remove stagnant circulation in the lower extremities, reducing any swelling or aches in this area.

**If the butt does not come to the ground comfortably, place a folded blanket between the legs to give support. It is important to avoid lying back unless there is proper support under the glutes. If you cannot find a comfortable seat in this posture, please avoid it and focus on the suggested postures that are more comfortable.

Directions: Come into a comfortable seated Virasana position. Place several pillows behind the back, parallel to the body. Keeping the legs steady and the knees on the ground, slowly and gently lie back on the pillow. The entire back, neck, and head should be completely supported here, with no pain or discomfort. If pain is present, you most likely need to add more pillows. Once you find a comfortable position, place an eye cover over the eyes and a blanket over the body, and relax into the pose. Stay here for 3-5 minutes. **If the knees feel compromised at any point or the legs fall asleep, it is recommended to come out of the posture early.

Virasana

Supta Virasana with support

Supported Supta Badhakonasana

This posture is useful for grounding the energy, calming the mind, and relieving stress and constriction in the body. It is a great pose for women to practice during menstruation as it removes obstructed or stagnant energy in the uterus to instantly relieve congestion, pain, and cramping. Supta Badhakonasana creates space for all the organs in the solar plexus region and works directly on the liver and spleen meridians. Therefore it is beneficial for promoting healthy digestion since menstruation can often be accompanied by symptoms such as constipation, gas, and bloating.

Directions: Place a couple of pillows behind the back for support. Come into a comfortable Badhakonasana (“butterfly pose”) position, then lie back onto the pillows making sure there is complete support of the back, neck, and head. There should be no pain, tension, or effort here, everything is soft and released. If needed, add another pillow. Once you have found a comfortable position, place an eye cover over the eyes and a blanket over the body (especially the pelvic area). Stay in this pose for 5 to 10 minutes.

Badhakonasana

Supta Badhakonasana with support

Supported Forward Fold

This restorative version of the forward fold (aka paschimottanasana) is perfect for menstruation, as it promotes healthy blood flow to the pelvic region and removes sluggishness in the abdominal organs. It carries many benefits for women such as grounding the energy, calming the mind, balancing emotions, releasing stress throughout the body, and relieving lower back pain. Forward folding postures are also considered beneficial for digestion which can be hampered before and during menstruation; however, you must only practice gentle ones to avoid putting too much pressure on the uterus.

*Please note that if you are experiencing acute cramping, all folds forward should be avoided; reclined postures will be much more beneficial at this time.

Directions: Come into a seated position with the legs gently stretched out in front of you. Place 2-4 pillows perpendicular to your legs. They should lay on top of your legs, just about at the knee and shin area (or thighs, if needed). Come forward to a gentle forward fold placing only the forehead to the pillow, allowing the head and neck to release completely. The muscles are all completely relaxed and you are merely letting the pillows hold you up rather than pushing or pulling into the pose. The nose and mouth should not be covered, so adjust the pillows as needed. The arms can relax on the pillows by their respective side. Hold this position for 3-5 minutes.

Supported Forward Fold

Supported Janu Sirsasana

Similar to the supported forward fold, janu shirsasana carries many of the same benefits such as calming the mind, grounding the energy, increasing digestion, and relieving lower back pain. This pose also works specifically on the liver, spleen, and kidneys, all of which can become weak during menstruation.

*Please note that if you are experiencing acute cramping, all folds forward should be avoided; reclined postures will be much more beneficial at this time.

Directions: From a seated position, bring the right leg out straight in front of you. Take the left leg and bend it in so the bottom of the left heel is placed in front of the groin area. Place 2 or more pillows onto the right leg, perpendicular to the body. Once you have found a comfortable position, gently fold forward over the right leg placing only the forehead onto the pillows. If the whole face comes into the pillow, this means you should move the pillow down the leg until only your forehead touches the pillow. The arms can come forward and rest on the pillows or by your side. This restorative posture should be done without any straining, so if needed add more pillows! Stay in this pose for 3 minutes on the right side and then switch to having the left leg in front (for equal time).

Janu Sirsasana with support, right leg in front

Janu Sirsasana with support, left leg in front

Supported Upavishtakonasana

This pose hosts a wide range of health benefits for women during menstruation. Practicing this pose regularly is said to alleviate all disorders of the uterus. According to Iyengar, it stimulates the ovaries, making this restorative asana a “boon to women”. Practicing this posture during menstruation is essential for stabilizing Apana Vayu, the downward moving wind, which can be both over or under-active in many menstrual disorders. It promotes circulation to the pelvic area, stabilizing blood flow during menstruation. Routine practice of this posture during menstruation helps to even the length of the inhale and exhale, as the exhalation often becomes longer during menstruation.

*Please note that if you are experiencing acute cramping, all folds forward should be avoided; reclined postures will be much more beneficial at this time.

Directions: From a seated position, spread the legs out in front of you at a wide angle, keeping the legs fairly straight without pushing or straining the leg muscles. Place a couple of pillows between the legs in a horizontal direction. Fold forward at the waist until only the forehead is placed onto the edge of the pillow, allowing the upper body to release completely. The muscles should be completely relaxed as you let the pillows hold you up rather than pushing or pulling into the pose (add more pillows if this is not happening). The nose and mouth should not be covered, so adjust the pillows if needed. Stay in this pose for 3-5 minutes. For severe reproductive issues, this pose should be practiced daily throughout the entire month and should be held for at least 5+ minutes.

Upavishtakonasana with support

Upavishtakonasana, right side variation with support

Upavishtakonasana left side variation with support

Shavasana

Although Shavasana can be a nice way to end any Yoga practice, during menstruation it is all the more beneficial. With the body working in full gear to cleanse the system, along with a substantial amount of blood loss, it is no wonder our energy is so low directly before and during menstruation. Ending your restorative practice with Shavasana allows calmness throughout the body while simultaneously relieving fatigue and restoring energy. Since our nervous systems can be extra sensitive during menstruation, this pose is essential as it is said to soothe the nerves and invoke relaxation.

Directions: Come completely onto the back, with your legs straight out in front of you and your arms softly resting beside the body. The palms can be placed in an upward position. There is absolutely no tension or muscle strain in this pose, but rather complete passivity of both body and mind. Stay here breathing into the lower abdomen for 1 minute, then release any control of the breath and continue to lie here for an additional 5 minutes (or as long as needed).