Yoga for Ladies Problem

In addition to general Yogic practices as applicable to both male and female, this Vidyalaya has the expertise to deal with specific gynecology problems of the modern society such as prolapsed of uterus, infertility/lack of childbirth, menstrual problems, hormonal imbalance etc. Training is imparted to the needy by experienced female sannyasin . The duration of the treatment will depend on the nature of ailment / deficiency.

It is almost universally regarded that males are stronger and that female are ‘the weaker sex’. This is repeated despite evidence that amongst humans the female is constitutionally and emotionally stronger than the male. That’s why they live longer, and in every age group the death rate for males is higher than for females. Statistics also show that women seem to be capable of enduring greater hardship and strain and that they are not as delicate physically as men. It has been said that ‘ men are the strong ones but women are the tough ones’. But because of the complex hormonal  and delicate reproductive system, they suffer from many different problem, such as  irregular menstruation, leucorrhea, prolapse’ depression, menarche and menopouse, headache ect, which they can make fit by practicing Yoga.

 

• IRREGULAR & PAINFUL MENSTRUATION
  

 

The menstrual cycle is a sequence of events that occurs once a month in a sexually mature female. From menarche (first menstruation) to menopouse (cessation of menstuation) it is a constantly repeating pattern.

To be born female is to be born under a curse, or at least it seems so to all those women who suffer the monthly misery of painful periods. Period pain, like any other pain, is a sigh that there is something amiss in the body. Through yoga we can take positive action to eliminate period pain and rediscover our womanly heritage of health.

During the rest of the cycle a balanced program of asanas will harmonize hormone production and asanas massage and compress the glands and internal organs, forcing stale blood out and allowing fresh blood to circulate. Meditation  practices, notable yoga nidra and antar mouna, are also ideal for relieving the tension that disturbs our physical and emotional harmony.

 

• MENARCHE  AND MENOPAUSE

 

MENARCHE

When some natural instance coincides with the ripeness of our awareness, we are opened to new dimensions in experience.  These are nature’s spontaneous initiations, new beginnings,  that are the basis of our maturity and wisdom.  All cultures are societies recognize the threshold of physical maturity as one such time of transition and changing awareness. This is the time when girls should be introduced to yoga to maintain health and emotional stability, and to provide the cornerstone of spiritual experience.

 

MENOPAUSE

As part of the natural ageing  process, the body produces smaller and smaller quantities of reproductive hormones.  The ovaries and uterus shrink, and ultimately the menstrual cycle ceases.  This point is called menopause or the climacteric.

As the body adjusts to the rapidly changing chemical balance some physical discomfort is

usually experienced.  This is not just psychological, but has a definite physical basis, and is felt even by some women who in all ways are healthy, active and positive. Menopause is hardly the end of our active lives but those women who have been practicing yoga in early years,  physical difficulties at menopause are less intense and emotional disturbances practically non-existent.  As with all hormonal imbalances, yogasanas have a tremendous stabilizing effect. Even if you have not been practicing yoga before, it is never too late to begin yoga.

 

• DEPRESSION

 

The most insidious and debilitating illness  affecting women is depression and more women suffer from some sort of depression than any other illness. The most characteristic and outstanding sign of this state of mind is tiredness out of all proportion to the physical demands made on the body. The depressed woman finds that the more ‘rest’ she takes the more tired she becomes.  She is overwhelmed by physical, emotional and mental exhaustion and sinks into a feeling of lifelessness.

The first step in overcoming depression is to lift the mood of despondancy and set natural energies flowing again.  For this the practices of  Hatha Yoga re immediate in their efficacy.

Yoga provides women with the means of achieving this essential knowledge of themselves and integrating it in harmonious self-acceptance.  Yoga unifies the mind, welding new will-power, providing the means to realize her highest visions.

 

• HEADACHE or MIGRAINE

 

Headache is one of the woman‘s most comman discomforts and one of her most common excuses.  Headache can be of various kinds resulting from tumour(rarely) and most often from sinusitis, high blood pressure, eye strain, digestive upsets and – primarily – tension.

Doctors have noticed that the majority of headache patients are women, and almost two thirds of migraine sufferers are women. Many women who suffer frequent or recurring headache, there is often a link with the menstrual cycle.

Stress or tension is the major cause of all headaches. Headache is usually triggered by some sort of emotional upset. Depression, excessive worrying, a too tense attitude to work, chronic frustration and dissatisfaction are all major factors in tension headaches.

Yoga therapy for migraine or other kind of headache will include jala neti, kunjal kriya and yoganidra, together with a systematic program of asanas.  These practices should be undertaken according to the schedule suggested by a competent yoga therapist.

 

• LEUCORRHEA OR EXCESSIVE VAGINAL DISCHARGE

From sheer lack of information and openness, many women are worried, ashamed and afraid of this essentially simple and manageable disorder.

 

• OVERWEIGHT

 

Weight reduction is not the aim of yoga, yet yoga has won a reputation as an effective and permanent way to manage a weight problem. Yoga offers a suitable ‘diet’ and harmonious attitude to living in accord with our needs and our nature.  Involving you as a person, not just as a body, yoga offers practical techniques that not only give freedom from fat and the prison of constant dieting, but also develop health and harmony in every aspect of your life.

Helpful habits to adopt

• Drink plenty of water between meals
• While you are dieting, start meals with  some soup or salad.
• Eat plenty of vegetables: they are rich in nutrients and low in calories.
• Avoid extra ghee on idli, rice and chapatis.  Reduce fried food and don’t eat sweets on a daily basis.
• Learn to drink juices, tea and coffee with less sugar.
• Don’t eat between meals – take only water, tea, coffee or buttermilk at the allotted time without tiffin or snacks.
• Eat slowly. From the moment you take first mouthful to the moment the brain’s satiation centre signals ‘enough’ is at least twenty minutes.  Eating quickly, you might eat more in twenty minutes than you need.  Eating slowly enables you to savour your food and gives the body time to assess its real needs.
• Sit in vajrasana before and after meals.  Vajrasana after meals aids digestion.  Before meals, it gives you time to slow down and become more aware of the act of eating.  It gives you time to remember your sankalpa.

 

• PREGNANCY

 

The state of pregnancy is the primary symbol of creative consciousness and optimism.  Although such a common place, pregnancy is a total experience, a special condition, a forceful example of the intimate connection between body and mind.  It is a time when it is extremely important that the various dimensions of a woman’s being are in harmony.  The practices of yoga promote optimum health of body and mind, unifying a mother’s physical, emotional and spiritual growth with that of her child.

The regular practice of yoga before conception is the ideal preparation for pregnancy.  More importantly, the practice of yoga by both parents will enable them to develop as fitting hosts for a child of more than ordinary spiritual capacity.  Such individuals are spiritually developed from birth itself and are able to make great contributions to humanity. Such children are rare, and rare also the dedicated parents who are able to bring them into the world.

Preparatory practices

Yoga can be of great value during pregnancy, even for beginners, who will find most of the practices well within their capacity.  For successful pregnancy and delivery emphasis should be placed on the development of areas like Stomach muscles, Spine, Back muscles and Pelvis.

Asanas throughout pregnancy

During the first three months of pregnancy, the program of preparatory asanas may be continued as usual, but some adjustment will be required after this time. The beginning of the fourth month marks the time to stop asanas involving strenuous upward stretching or violent stomach contractions.  Sirshasana and sarvangasana are usually discontinued at this time. Avoid forward bending asanas and extreme backward bending asanas.

It is at this time that the pawanmuktasana series comes into its own.  The muscles and joints are all thoroughly exercised in a circulation, with a minimum of energy expenditure.  Squatting postures should still be practiced for loosening the hips and toning the pelvic floor.

Pranayama

The various pranayamas are most important during pregnancy, ensuring efficient removal of waste products and plentiful supply of oxygen for both mother and child.

Yoganidra

Yoganidra is one of the most flexible meditation techniques in yoga for both mother and child. It is practiced lying down rather than in a classical sitting asana.  These characteristics are very advantageous for practice during pregnancy.

The use of yogic techniques, for some women childbirth is totally painfree.  Yogic methods can definitely minimize this discomfort.  More importantly, yoga enables us to remain fully aware during delivery and a women will be able to translate her experience into a practical method of painless, conscious birthing.

 

• PROLAPSE

 

Prolapse is the displacement of, or falling out of position of one of the organs of the body.  It is more common for women to find that the uterus has dropped from its correct position.  In severe cases the uterus may actually protrude outside the body.

Uterine prolapse is accompanied by a continuous dull ache in the lower back and, usually, vaginal discharge.  Urination is affected because of the pressure on the bladder, so that you may urinate more frequently, perhaps with some difficulty.

The correction of prolapse through yoga requires persistent and careful practice over several months, may be even longer if structural damage is severe

 

• URINARY SYSTEM DISORDERS

 

Nearly every woman will suffer from some kind of urinary system disorder at least once during her child bearing years, with the most common problems being incontinence and bladder inflammation.

This manifests in two ways like Urgency incontinence and Stress incontinence.

There can be several causes for this weakness, including impairment of the nerves due to injury or damage, congenital defects, bladder disorders and chronic emotional tension.

Yoga therapy

Short of surgery, there is no medical treatment of this problem, which can be easily remedied by the appropriate yoga practices.  Most important are moolabandha, vajroli mudra, naukasana and uddiyana bandha.

If you develop cystitis it is important to see a doctor, for chronic infections can lead to decay of the kidneys and other serious complications.

• VARICOSE VEINS

 

It your greatest pleasure is just to “put your feet up” to relieve tired, aching legs, then you might be developing varicose veins.  Very often the feet swell and become a little red, and the blue blood vessels stand out like cords above the skin, or clearly visible just below the surface.

All asanas that stretch & tone the muscles of the legs mmmmmare useful. The most important practices are inverted asanas.  Avoid sitting in Padmasana for long.