YOGA IS GOOD FOR MENOPAUSE
Women officially enter menopause when a full year has passed since their last period. But perimenopause, or the time leading up to menopause, is equally significant in women’s lives. In fact, it’s crucial to a comfortable transition into menopause. Perimenopause is also a good time to start practicing yoga. Many women over 50 enjoy the relief yoga brings to several of their menopausal symptoms. Women today, on average, spend a third of their lives in the time period after menopause.
The symptoms of menopause
The symptoms of menopause may be physically and emotionally destabilizing. They typically include:
Aches and pains
Bloating
Fatigue
Headaches
Hot flashes
Insomnia
Irritability
Night sweats
Sexual issues
Weight gain
How can yoga provide relief during menopause?
WHILE THERE’S NO CURE-ALL FOR EACH AND EVERY SYMPTOM OF MENOPAUSE, RESEARCH HAS SHOWN PRACTICING YOGA CONSISTENTLY MAY PROVIDE AMPLE RELIEF FOR SEVERAL SYMPTOMS
- Unlike HRT, it’s a natural remedy. A consistently regular yoga practice will help quiet the mind and body and may help reduce the discomfort commonly associated with perimenopause and menopause. Rather than relying on a hormonal approach to menopausal management, yoga is a natural, comprehensive remedy.
- Yoga relieves stress. A key component of yoga is pranayama (Sanskrit word for “controlled breathing.”). This breathwork may help lessen anxiety, quiet the mind, and help women achieve a calm mental state during yoga and outside its practice. Pranayama can even improve sleep quality.
- A consistent practice may reduce blood pressure. Some research shows blood pressure may increase after menopause due to the hormonal changes that take place in the body. A consistent yoga practice may help promote better oxygenation and blood circulation throughout the body.
- Yoga promotes good joint health. A frequent, and consistent, yoga practice may help relieve joint pain. Not all menopausal women have joint pain, but the condition does increase with age. As such, yoga will help to improve the way menopausal women live and work by strengthening joints and increasing flexibility.
- Yoga can increase energy Using directed breathing techniques yoga can target other common symptoms of perimenopause such as fatigue, making women who consistently practice it feel more energized as a result. 6. Yoga may help lead to fewer hot flashes. Some say hot flashes are linked to an excess of pitta (or “fire”) in the body that must be released. Yoga is considered an effective way to release that fire, or energy—and slow, rhythmic, weight-bearing movements may help.
- Yogis may experience relief from physical pain and discomfort. Those who practice yoga regularly have been shown to develop an increased tolerance for pain over time. Specifically, aches and pains linked to menopause—think neck and back pain, as well as joint pain and overall chronic pain—may benefit from utilizing a natural option such as the regular and consistent practice of yoga.
- Yoga is linked to better weight management. The hormonal changes associated with menopause may also lead to weight gain. Yoga, however, is a great way to counter this. Aim to practice at least three times a week, for an hour each time, to help support weight management. To maximize results across the board, yoga can be paired with other nonhormonal therapies. Aromatherapy has been reported to support detoxification, for instance, while meditation is commonly known to improve mental focus and clarity.
DRU YOGA AND THE MENOPAUSE
Dru yoga has a gentle approach to wellness which makes it accessible to all. Noncompetitive and all-inclusive for those wanting to try out how yoga can be of help during this time of your life. Hot sweats, aches and pains, sleep disturbances, bloating – or any of the other symptoms you may be experiencing.
This workshop promises techniques, postures and sequences which can benefit you, and will conclude with a beautiful deep relaxation to leave you feeling refreshed and rested. We will look at movements to balance the hormonal system and calm anxiety as well as providing a nurturing and inclusive environment to give you strategies to cope with tension, life changes and stress. For ticket information go here