With nearly five thousand years of practice and cultivation, the spiritual and calisthenic poses found in yoga have become a popular method for people seeking to optimize their health. Effective for athletes and average Joe's alike, the practice of yoga has become increasingly recognized as a system for strengthening and sustaining bodily functions such as the reproductive organs. While nearly every yoga instructor will offer his own sequence or succession of postures, individuals wanting to improve the health of their reproductive organs can learn both the basic "asanas" for daily practice and gain insight into the more serious yoga postures.
History
According to seals dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization of 3000 B.C.E., depictions of yogis and yoga meditation have an extensive history in India. While many modern practitioners are familiar with the numerous benefits associated with yoga practice, the use of yoga postures to strengthen and cleanse specific bodily organs--such as the reproductive system--has a long tradition in Indian health. By the late 19th century, yoga began to make its way west and, by the 1970s, had become a prominent fixture in New Age fitness in the U.S.
Health Benefits
According to studies performed at the Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness and Women's Health, the mind-body integration techniques of practical yoga can greatly reduce the harmful effects of stress on the reproductive hormone axis. Specific yoga postures, such as Garuda-asana, or Eagle Pose, directly compress the upper thighs and reproductive organs--cleaning organs as blood rushes back to them and strengthening organ functions. While some postures directly enhance and tonify the reproductive system in both men and women, other postures, such as the Bridge Pose, can strengthen thyroid functions--creating a comprehensive approach to hormonal health.
Yoga for Women's Reproductive Health
For women intending to increase fertility, lessen the pain of childbirth or balance their hormones (particularly during menopause), a sequence of specific postures can be arranged to promote healthy reproductive functions. The Basic Session for Menopause designed by ABC-of-Yoga.com is composed of 19 postures beginning and ending with breathing techniques, each of which can be practiced at home and are tailored specifically for healthy reproductive functions. The Bikram Sequence, pioneered by yoga champion and entrepreneur Bikram Choudry, involves a system of 26 postures that, when practiced in a heated room, have been proven to regulate hormones. In many cases, the best solution may be to pick and select a number of beginning postures that relate to your intention and create your own sequence.
Beginning Yoga Posture
According to the widely circulated publication Yoga Journal, the Bridge Pose is an excellent beginning posture for stimulating the hormones involved in reproduction. Begin by lying with your back against the yoga mat and your knees bent. Tuck your feet as close to your buttocks as you can and gently press your knees together. As you exhale, slowly lift your pelvis off the floor until it is raised parallel with the ground. Breathe evenly throughout the posture and hold the posture at least seven breaths, or as long as you feel comfortable.
Intermediate Yoga Posture
While most individuals with healthy knee and ankle joints can attempt the Eagle Pose, the balance and strength required may make it difficult for the first-time yoga practitioner. To begin this posture, raise both hands above your head. Swing your arms down and in front of you so that your right arm moves under the left, and bend both elbows so that your hands are towards your face. Grab your hands and gently "sit down" with your legs, bending your knees as if you were about to sit in a chair. Bend your upper body back to straighten the spine as much as you can, and lift your left foot, crossing it over your right knee and tucking it behind your right foot as much as you can. Slowly bend your knees and pull your elbows down as tightly as you can, breathing steadily as you do. This posture works every major joint within the body, and is a particularly effective posture for reproductive organ health.
