As part of our series on yoga and periods for International Women’s Day, Asan and Kosha Yoga Co. have teamed up to bring you special offers.
Get 25% off the Asan menstrual cup with code KOSHAYOGA and 15% off Kosha Yoga Co. products with code ASAN15.
Yoga has been practised for thousands of years and it’s a known fact that it has many benefits for our mind and bodies.
While we know that yoga improves flexibility and strength, can help body pains, and is a relaxing form of movement, there has been little research about whether we can do yoga while on our periods.
So this blog will break some myths about doing yoga on our periods, understand the benefits of it, and learn how we can best manage our periods while doing yoga.
Is it okay to do yoga during periods?
Yes absolutely!
It is completely okay to do yoga on your period. In fact, it can help loosen up your body from feeling period cramps and help relax your mind and body.
Keep in mind your body is going through a lot of hormonal changes while you’re on your period which can cause mental and physical discomforts. So it’s important to go easy on yourself and do gentle and light yoga during periods.
What are the benefits of yoga during periods?
There are many positive effects of yoga on menstruation. In fact, while other forms of exercise can feel strenuous on your period, yoga is a great option to get your body moving while still feeling relaxed.
Deep breathing and meditation exercises that are promoted through yoga can help circulate oxygen around your body, easing many period symptoms such as cramps, nausea and fatigue.
Doing yoga is also a great way to help you feel relaxed and reduce PMS symptoms such as anxiety and irritability that you may be feeling on your period.
What period products can I use while doing yoga on my period?
There are many options when it comes to hygiene products for doing yoga during your period.
Single-use sanitary pads are the most common period product used and can be super easy to use as you just need to stick them onto your underwear.
While pads are an effortless product, the biggest issue you can face while doing yoga is leakage. As yoga requires your body to create different poses, it’s very easy for pads to slip positions and cause leakage - which can be very annoying and inconvenient.
Tampons on the other hand, are an insertable period product that soak up your period flow inside your vagina. However, similar to single-use pads, tampons can also leak while doing yoga as your pelvic muscles stretch and move in various positions.
Menstrual cups collect your period flow inside your body, rather than absorbing it. As a good quality menstrual cup creates a seal inside your vaginal canal when you insert it, it should not leak regardless of which yoga pose you do. So they make for a great period product while doing yoga!
Can you do inverted yoga poses while on your period?
Are you wondering if you can do a headstand or crow pose while you’re on your period? Well the answer is yes!
When it comes to our period flow, uterine contractions are responsible for which way it flows, not our body’s orientation to the ground.
So, similar to how it’s possible to swallow when upside down or how bedridden people can still urinate, turning upside down while doing yoga won’t affect your period flow.
Can inverted yoga cause retrograde menstruation?
Retrograde menstruation is when your period flows backwards. So instead of coming down your vaginal canal and outside your vagina, it flows up towards your uterus and fallopian tubes.
This is a fairly common condition and in fact most people experience some retrograde menstruation while they’re on their periods due to our uterus contracting in different waves.
Doing inverted yoga poses doesn't cause retrograde menstruation - as our period flow moves on the basis of uterine contractions, not gravity.
Read this blog to learn more about retrograde menstruation.
Can menstrual cups cause retrograde menstruation during your period?
No, not at all!
When you insert a menstrual cup, it sits in your vaginal canal - which is below the uterus. So for retrograde menstruation to happen this would require your period flow to re-enter the cervix or the opening of the uterus. Our anatomy ensures that this is simply not possible!
Some Frequently Asked Questions
Can I do butterfly yoga during periods?
Yes definitely!
The butterfly pose exercises the pelvic region which can help relieve stiffness and pain from the stomach, back and hips during your period.
In fact, the butterfly pose is the best yoga for better period flow too.
Can I do power yoga during periods?
Power yoga is a fast-paced form of yoga which focuses on building strength and endurance.
Whether or not you should do power yoga on your period depends on your body and period symptoms. As it is a high intensity form of yoga, it’s important to listen to your body and not push yourself too hard while you’re on your period.
Which yoga poses should be avoided during periods?
Poses such as twists, strong backbends and arm balances can put a lot of stress on your pelvic and abdominal region. So you should avoid these yoga poses during periods, especially if you’re experiencing period cramps.
What products should I use while doing yoga on my period?
A good period product should ensure that you’re completely comfortable and worry-free of leaks while doing yoga.
The Asan cup is a great period product option for yoga as it has been designed to be completely leak-proof.
Kosha Yoga Co. makes high quality yoga products made from sustainable materials which makes practising yoga super fun and fulfilling.
For example, our line of yoga apparel, called buttR Yoga Wear, offers yoga pants, yoga shorts, biker shorts, and sports bras, all made out of recycled fishing nets polluting our oceans and harming marine life.
Our PUre Yoga Mats, use 100% natural, biodegradable rubber as its base that contributes to their superlative grip.
Ffor International Women’s Day, Asan has teamed up with Kosha Yoga Co. to offer you 15% off on all their wonderful yoga products with code ASAN15. Follow them on Instagram to learn more about their work.
Want to learn about the top five yoga asanas to ease period pain? Read this blog by Kosha Yoga Co.
Shop here now to buy the best period product for yoga. Use exclusive code KOSHAYOGA to get 25% off the Asan cup.
