You can't go upside down when you menstruate?

elizabells, BSN, RN · Jul 28, 2005

Totally random question... I was doing this yoga video, and in the beginning it said that menstruating women shouldn't do inverted poses. I can't figure it out. It's not like I have a hole on the top of my uterus that's going to make me menstruate all over my liver or something. Is there any rationale for this? I don't do women's health, after all...

:rotfl:

I have no idea, just . . . . menstruate on your liver! :rotfl:

Maybe it has to do with the whole energy part of yoga

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Jul 28, 2005

:rotfl:
I have no idea, just . . . . menstruate on your liver! :rotfl:
Maybe it has to do with the whole energy part of yoga

:rotfl: I was thinking the same thing. Clueless here, maybe someone can show us the light. :)

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Jul 28, 2005

:smackingf

Cant think why am sitting here puzzled :rolleyes:

fergus51 · Jul 28, 2005

Yeah, you can't go upside down and be sure to avoid swimming in the ocean because sharks will be attracted to you and attack;)

Aneroo, LPN · Jul 28, 2005

No, but the uterus is connected to the fallopian tubes, tubes are connected to the.... to the....? There is a space between your fallopian tubes and the ovaries. Some theories say that tampons and I'm assuming hanging upside down can lead to retrograde flow, which I think some believe leads to endometrosis.

I think that's their reasoning. -Andrea

PamUK · Jul 28, 2005

Couldn't stop laughing at menstruating into your liver... very funny!

But the advice baffled me, so I had to check it out (cos I'm like that) & found this article...

http://www.yogajournal.com/newtoyoga/831_1.cfm

There is a weak theory in there, no real evidence. I think it's just one of those old wives tale... like you shouldn't wash your hair or have a bath or shower.... uggghhh the very thought of not doing these when your menstruating is repugnant!!

I say "Carry on invertin'"

Pam

Editorial Team / Admin · Jul 28, 2005

No, but the uterus is connected to the fallopian tubes, tubes are connected to the.... to the....? There is a space between your fallopian tubes and the ovaries. Some theories say that tampons and I'm assuming hanging upside down can lead to retrograde flow, which I think some believe leads to endometrosis.
I think that's their reasoning. -Andrea

And that is it exactly, aneroo....The Yoga experts say (quoted from the Yoga Magazine- -www.yogaholidays.net/magazine/Menstruation.htm

One should avoid Inversions (viparita sthitti), such as Adho Mukha Vriksasana, arm-balancings like Bakasana (bhujatalan sthitti), backward extensions (purva pratana sthitti) such as Urdhva Dhanurasana, Kapotasana and the body knottings (grantha sthitti), such as Yoganidrasana, Ek Pada Sirsasana and abdominal contraction (udara akunchana sthitti) such as Navasana and Jathara Parivatasana.

One should avoid pranayama in sitting asana. Even if done it should not be for longer than fifteen minutes. Avoid Antara and Bahaya Kumbhakas, Uddiyana and Mula Bandhas, Bhastrika, Kapalabhati and Mahamudra

:eek: :eek: :eek:

During menstruation if one does inversions the blood flow will be arrested. Those who tried to do out of enthusiasm or callousness will have noticed that the flow stops abruptly. This is certainly not good for health since it may lead to fibroids, cysts, endometriosis and cancer, damaging the system.

According to ayurveda, what ever has to be thrown out should be thrown out and not retained or held in. You cannot hold urine, faeces, phlegm, mucus etc, inside as they are substances that have to be thrown out. These are called as mala - the waste, which need to be excreted. If they are retained within they invite all diseases.

During menstruation one has to lessen physical exertion including walking, dancing or heavy house-hold work. The body demands rest and relaxation and one needs to provide that.

The inversions have their own characteristics. This category of asana arrest the menstrual flow and when done during pregnancy they hold the foetus safely and healthily. For those who have frequent miscarriage these asanas prove to be a boon. Those who prolong their periods for more than fifteen days, it is permissible for them to begin to do the inversions after twelve days though they have continuous flow. The inversions will arrest the bleeding. Obviously one has to know the cause behind such prolonged and heavy flows and treat that disease with other asanas during the days of non-period. Yet, that the flow can be checked is a fact. If a woman gets periods during ovulation, the inversions are administered like medicine.

After the menstrual cycle gets over begin the practice of asanas with inversions, as they are great healers as far as the reproductive system is concerned. They quickly bring a hormonal balance.

If this background, as far as the effects of inversions are concerned are known, one need not doubt about their omission during the periods.

Geeta S. Iyengar

(Pune Feb 20030

(Emoticons added by Siri)

Goodness.....I will have to research that out some more. I understood it all completely. Did ya'll??? :uhoh21: :rolleyes: :confused:

Siri

SmilingBluEyes · Jul 28, 2005

well then i woulda been in trouble in water ballet.....

I don't believe this for a minute.

live4today, RN · Jul 28, 2005

Whaaaaat??? (scratching head) :confused: I've never heard of such, and I took Yoga classes a few years back. The Yoga Instructor didn't say anything like that to the women in the class. Hmmm....I'll keep an eye on this thread to see what develops. :uhoh21:

I remember when I was a little girl being told by a neighbor to not go into a garden (vegetable or flower) if I was menstruating or the veggies and flowers would die. :confused: Has anyone ever heard of that before?

PamUK · Jul 28, 2005

I remember when I was a little girl being told by a neighbor to not go into a garden (vegetable or flower) if I was menstruating or the veggies and flowers would die. Has anyone ever heard of that before?

...and I remember, as a little girl, being told that women were sent to the garden shed during menstruation because they were "unclean"... Anyone heard of that one?

Sis123 · Jul 28, 2005

It may be a cultural thing. I know that in India, women in their menses are not to enter temples or holy places because they would defile the temple, the same as wearing shoes inside would also defile the temple. Perhaps the translation of this idea affected the thinking in yoga....

In the Jewish religion menstruating women were also unclean and took a ritual bath at the end before resuming "relations" with their husbands.

There are many old wives' tales regarding menstruating women, about damaging and ruining things. The garden flowers is a good example.