Question about Yoga

[OakLeaf]

I'd never heard of this before, but from the bit of googling I've done since you asked the question, there's really no agreement among yogi.

However, the issue as it's framed on many sites online has to do with the flow of energy, not flow of menstrual blood per se. Since yoga as a discipline deals entirely with energy flow, I'd be inclined to err on the side of caution. Is it really a big deal to skip inversions for one week each month (and instead, favor some of the poses that are recommended during menstruation)?

[alpinerabbit]

Good thing I do yoga not for realigning my "energy", but rather for strength, flexibility and relaxation.

[Chile Pepper]

Ithe issue as it's framed on many sites online has to do with the flow of energy, not flow of menstrual blood per se.

Where I used to take classes, certain types of breathing were limited during menstruation (and pregnancy), but not any positions that I remember. Like Oakleaf said, it's about the flow of energy.

[KathiCville]

Interesting variety of explanations! I've never heard the cautions about certain kinds of breathing during menstruation and pregnancy. Most of my yoga videos (mainly by Gaiam) just offer a general caution about doing inversions during periods and forward bends and twists during pregnancy. I wish I could remember where I read or heard the ebb-and-flow-of-fluid reasoning---probably in a class years ago!

[indysteel]

I had a yoga instructor that I otherwise liked who insisted on doing inversions at the end of every class. I can do and don't mind headstand, but I can't do forearm stands because of a funky elbow and handstands are okay but a little scary. Anyway, the thought of doing them each class just put me in a foul mood (which is very unyogalike) so I stopped going to her. I need to get back to my practice though.

I've done inversions while on my period, FWIW. My flow is pretty light so the thought of it goind the wrong way for all of a minute or two doesn't really bother me.

[lph]

Now if I could do headstands or handstands, and were told not to do them during my period - you bet I'd be doing them just to be obstinate

[Zen]

you bet I'd be doing them just to be obstinate

I like your style.
it's just like mine

[redrhodie]

Now if I could do headstands or handstands, and were told not to do them during my period - you bet I'd be doing them just to be obstinate

I did, and I never had a problem. The worst that happened is my period lasted a little longer. Headstands are fun, so I wasn't going to let that stop me.

http://www.aysnyc.org/index.php?opti...175&Itemid=184

This is an interesting article about women, menstruation, and yoga. I think much of what she believes about the woman's body needing rest during menstruation comes from her patriarchal upbringing. Maybe if I were trying to get pregnant, I'd follow her advice.

My mother's generation didn't take gym class when menstruating.

[Crankin]

I've never heard that warning in the 2 years I've been doing yoga, either in a class or a video. Of course for me, it's a moot point!
Even without any medical training, the "fluids flowing backwards" sounds kind of silly to me. Perhaps the energy thing is true, but that wouldn't stop me either.
But, I can't do a headstand or handstand. I do the shoulder stand and leave it at that.