Unfortunately, I don’t know, for the past, 200 years, periods and people who have periods have been declared a menace to society.
We’ve been called over-emotional, hysterical, and my favorite lazy.
We aren’t taken seriously, and people tend to want to forget that we exist, but I’ve realized that those people forget something.
Some of us are in literal pain.
EQUIVALENT TO A HEART ATTACK!
I don’t think non-menstruators can imagine going through a heart attack each month.
But, we are taught to stifle our pain and pretend that it is not happening for the comfort of others.
This pretending has led many of us to disconnect from our bodies.
We no longer pay attention to the pain, no matter how much it hurts, thus further severing our mind-body connection, which I believe will hurt us in the long run.
I partnered with my favorite Yogi, Kharma Grimes, to bring my menstruators some relief during their next moon cycles and help ya’ll reconnect with yourself.
Yoga is known to help alleviate PMS symptoms such as cramps back pain, and help stabilize your mood and relieve some of your anxiety.
There is really no reason not to do it with all these added benefits!
So without further ado, here are the best five yoga poses for your next moon cycle presented to you by Kharma!
Keep In Mind
These poses help you relieve some of that emotional and physical pain many menstruators tend to feel during their cycle.
Hold each pose 30-60 seconds, and do what you can!
Don’t strain yourself trying to do every pose if you are unable to.
This is to help relieve some pain, not add to it!
Child’s Pose
Start by sitting on your knees and then shift your weight back into your heels.
Spread your knees to either side and have your big toes touching in the back.
Then lean your body forward with your torso filling the space between your knees.
Variation 1
Gently place balled-up fists on either side of your hips and then lean forward to gently place your forehead on the ground.
Variation 2
Place your arms by your sides and lean forward to rest one side of your face on the mat.
Benefits:
Child’s pose is great for stretching your hips and thighs while providing back and neck relief.
Related Article: 4 Weird But Effective Ways to Make Your Period Less Miserable
Fire Log Pose
Place both legs at a 90-degree angle in front of you.
Then stack one leg on top of the other and gently lean forward.
Let your forehead gently rest on the ground while your arms are brought in front of you while you cross them.
Benefits:
This pose will give you a deep stretch within your hips, opening them and helping to relieve some pain from cramps.
Seated Twist
Sit up straight.
Bend your right knee towards your chest, cross your right leg over, and place your foot outside your left thigh.
Reach your right arm behind you and place your fingertips on the floor, gently twisting your body to the right. Raise your left arm upward.
Place your left arm on top of your bent right knee.
Take a deep breath and exhale as you twist further to the right.
When ready, gently release from the pose and then repeat on the other side.
Benefits:
The Seated Twist helps relieve lower back pain, opens up your hips, and provides a deep stretch to your neck, chest, shoulders, and back.
Happy Baby
Lay on your back with your legs straight on the mat.
When you are ready, with your head and shoulders pressed firmly on the mat, bend both of your knees toward your chest.
Then face the soles of your feet up towards the sky and gently reach your hands to grab ahold of the outsides of your feet.
Spread your knees apart, moving them onto either side of your torso.
Flex your heels into your hands and gently rock side-to-side like a baby!
You should feel a nice massage on your lower back as your rock.
If you’re unable to grab ahold of your feet while keeping your head and shoulders pressed against the mat, grab your shins or ankles instead.
Benefits:
The Happy Baby pose is fun to perform, but it helps open up your hips groin and relieves lower back pain while stretching the spine to give you an overall feeling of ease.
Plow Pose
This pose is a little more advanced, so proceed with caution.
Start by lying on your back with your arms, palms, and legs pressed into the mat.
SLOWLY roll your legs backward above your head when you exhale, lifting your pelvis off the mat.
If your toes can touch the floor, you can use your hands to massage/stabilize your lower back.
To release, exhale and SLOWLY bring your legs forward towards the end of the mat.
Benefits:
The Plow Pose, like the others, helps stretch out your spine and back muscles. Relieving tension in your neck, shoulders, and back while increasing your strength and flexibility.
Related Article: Period Sex: Is It Safe & Everything Else You Need to Know Before Surfing the Crimson Wave
Set the Mood
You can do these poses whenever and wherever.
But to get the added benefit of the calming sensation that we all seek out while our uterine lining sheds, set the mood.
You can do what Kharma did and take your yoga mat outside.
Listen to the wind and soak up some sun.
Or you can play some soothing music in the background and burn some incense.
Just be sure to take the time to check in with yourself and feel your emotions and pain.
You don’t need to suffer through your period anymore.
You can actually enjoy it!
Check out our collaboration and share it with your fellow menstruators!
