menstration and yoga

[looking for balance]

#1241

I haven’t seen anything here about this so I thought i would ask.

What about yoga and menstration? Is it ok? I heard something about inverted poses not being safe, but have nothing to base it on.

I can’t wear tampons so it makes it kind of hard to go to yoga with a pad.

Does anyone deal with this? I want to do a thirty day challenge , but not sure if I can for this reason.

Any comments would be helpful.
:-/

[Gabrielle (The Hot Yoga Doctor)]

#3765

Hello lfb :cheese:

This is a quote from a response elsewhere on the forum, it can be found under FAQ, but I’ll pop it in for you here:

In Bikram Hot Yoga, there are only ever 2 poses that are specifically referred to as poses you can CHOOSE to avoid on heavier flow days.
Those 2 poses are Standing Separate Leg Intense Stretching pose and Floor Bow.

Generally, if you feel up to it, go to yoga, at any time.
If you want to omit a pose or 2 then go ahead.

Inverted poses means the flow (affected by gravity) goes in the opposite direction. The 2 poses above are pretty much the only poses that are recommended to avoid. But I do think that it is up to personal comfort. You are not in them for a long time. Tampon wearers would definitely have less reason to skip these poses because of the absorption factor preventing backflow.

Go with the flow! ( 😆 what a cheeky joke) and listen to your body.

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

[Meissa]

#3766

Hmm I generally skip the first day [or 2] as I have the same ‘special needs’ as you 🙂

However, I find that generally during practice there’s little if not practically no flow …

[Gabrielle (The Hot Yoga Doctor)]

#3767

Hi again

I wanted to ask if the 30 day challenge you are doing is a special program that you have to join that your studio runs or whether it is a matter of self-discipline? Does it come with some kind of studio reward, or recognition or are you simply doing it for your own satisfaction?

I guess I am concerned that there could be some inappropriate constraints being placed on you. Jeez if someone came to me and said they were doing the 30 day challenge but for 1-2 days they may have to skip for health reasons, then who am I to say no?

Feel free to point it out to someone, but please don’t ask for permission.

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

[saucyskirt]

#3771

Actually, I enjoy yoga during period. I feel like there’s a relief on the cramps. And this past month I think my period was a bit shorter. I like to wear the longer pads with the wings.

[kinks]

#4065

For me personally my period has become far less miserable (lighter, milder cramps, sometimes shorter) since starting yoga. I started recently and my results were immediate. I am forever grateful. I am able to do yoga when I’m having my period and I only wear pads. I haven’t had any problems so far. Well the only issue would be my lowered energy level. But you should take the doctor’s advice…go with the flow. Good luck in your 30 day challenge. I’m doing it too. I guess we’re all in this together. If you do try it I would suggest that you wear a long, thin, absorptive pad.

[corinne rumley]

#5095

i really want to go to yoga today, but i already feel nauseous and physically drained from being on my period. i have been feeling nauseous during some classes as is and i had 3 drinks last night. With that combination i think i should just stay home and do some form of alternate exercise- walk, run, or work out video. the heat is so intense (and i love it) but i fear the nausea. i hate being the girl in class who has to sit down. and i have a headache. i think it would be a brutal class.

[Gabrielle (The Hot Yoga Doctor)]

#5097

Hi Corinne

What can I say? Don’t go! It’s simple. Your body is saying stay away for today. You will probably feel well enough to go tomorrow.

It seems that you have reached one of those times in your hot yoga practice where there is a great lesson to learn. And that is to let go of the need to have to go. There should be no feelings of guilt. Just take the day off and learn to feel OK about it. Because there will be times where you simply cannot go.

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

[Briar]

#7954

It was day one of my period today and I felt shocking! I was ok for the floor series until triangle and then got progressively worse until I had to lie down entirely, which I hate! I felt weak and had a feeling of light pins and needles in my legs. Is this normal? I had come on about an hour previously and felt fine but have never practised on day one of my cycle before.

Briar x

[Gabrielle (The Hot Yoga Doctor)]

#7956

Hi Briar

It … Could be a one-off. Could be your body needs rest. Could be your body needs something else. When I was at my teacher training years ago, one of my friends there had Magnesium sachets which she took around the time of her period and she gave me some too. I never had a problem while I was the benefactor of her generosity. I can’t say that your issue is one of Mg, and one could not reliably predict that it would happen again, but just thought I would share that one with you!

These days I supplement my organic wholefood mostly raw diet with a top quality wholefood multivitamin (that I get sent from the US) and since that time I don’t get period pain at all. Worth questioning what your circumstances are perhaps?

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

[aesdanae]

#7975

I have a related question that wasn’t mentioned in the answers here: are there any risks associated with wearing tampons while doing bikram yoga? I mean specifically in terms of the high temperature and an increased risk of toxic shock (minor or TSS). I would wear a pad, but that seems even more uncomfortable (sweating profusely, being in a moist room).

So, chapping or shock? What’s worse?

Michelle
— Novice bikram yoga student

[Gabrielle (The Hot Yoga Doctor)]

#7979

Hi Michelle

If you’re concerned here are 2 ideas for you:

>> Refresh with a new tampon sometime before class.

>> Or wear a pad until class and then for class wear a tampon.

Hope that helps!

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

[Sizuka]

#22162

Hello all .

I know that this is very old post – but this old post helped me already a lot ! So I want to also help someone .

I am practising Bikram yoga the last 21 days – attending 18 class in total . So almost every day .

As my program is not allowing me to go when I want – I decide that I have to try to go those (menstruation) days also . I was afraid for sudden big flow and getting a mess so I look for solution .

I decided to give a try to menstrual cups . And … Its works ! Fantastic actually . I practice on my second day – worst flow always – and the cup was awesome . As you can use it for up to 12 hours , this means you can empty after class at home . And the most important ? No leaks and you can have your shower in the studio , without make the other ladies feel they enter a slaughterhouse .

You can’t feel it and its not moving around ( like tampons do ) if you are in weird position or really tight wille practising  .

Worth to give a try – it was great solution for me ( also for swimming etc )

[Author]

Posts