It's no secret that yoga calms the mind and eases stress. Stress reduction is one of the central ways that yoga can help boost fertility. Yoga will relax the pelvic organs and promote proper function. It will also improve circulation and regulate the reproductive hormones. As with any new exercise program, consult your physician first.
Stress Reduction for Fertility
One of the ways the body responds to stress is by decreasing blood flow to the pelvic organs. Which is why someone who is under a lot of stress would be infertile. Harvard physician, Dr. Herbert Benson offers a program at his Mind/Body Medical Institute that has a 44 percent pregnancy rate. The program focuses on yoga and meditation to reduce stress associated with infertility.
Types of Yoga to Practice
Vigorous styles of yoga can contribute to female infertility by reducing body fat and suppressing ovulation. So it is best to practice a slower or more gentle yoga routine. Iyengar Yoga, which uses props and holds poses for longer periods of time would be a fitting style for those suffering from infertility. It is also important to use minimal effort in more difficult postures and to use the breath to find ease.
Yoga Poses for Infertility
According to B.K.S. Iyengar, if a woman is unable to conceive the causes could be hormonal imbalance, tumors, cysts, dysfunction in ovulation or pelvic infections. He recommends poses that open and stretch the pelvic area. Supported bridge pose, legs up the wall pose, warrior poses, wide angle pose, reclining wide angle pose, supported shoulder stand pose, forward bends, headstands and supported backbends are all recommended by Mr. Iyengar to improve fertility.
Yogic Breathing for Fertility
Breath work can also reduce stress, and some breathing exercises practiced in yoga will help in the process. The breathing techniques, Alternate Nostril Breathing and Breath of Fire, will clear the blockage of the fallopian tubes, according to Yoga Wiz. Breathing exercises keep you in a peaceful state and ensure proper oxygen circulation in the body. Begin and end your yoga practice with a breathing exercise to increase the amount of stress reduction.
References
- Yoga as Medicine: Infertility; Timothy McCall, M.D.; 2007
- Massachusetts General Hospital: Dr. Herbert Benson's Fertility Program
- Yoga, The Path to Holistic Health: Yoga for Ailments; B.K.S Iyengar; 2001
- Yoga Wiz: Benefits of Yoga Asanas
