Questions for the ladies out there..

[Guest guest]

As for inverted postures while in the "ladies

days" its a matter of blood clots (another reason you

go into childs pose after head stands - to avoid

blood "stuff" happening in your eyes...fun thought,

eh?). If you don't want horrible random blood clots -

don't do inverted postures around that time of the

month.<br><br>As for the sports bra thing - no suggestions on my

end. I guess I'm a little smaller (but its still no

picnic for me either). You eventually get used to the

uncomfortable sports bra thing.

[Guest guest]

Some women practice regardless of their cycles,

but for the first time I've gotten dizzy from

inversions right around menses. Now I don't want to do any

inversions at this time. I will pursue these issues with my

accupuncturist.<br><br>As for your sportsbra issues, I believe it is good

to remember this system stems from a 5 foot two

male, Krishnamacharya and the pictures I've seen of his

students show them to be young men. It would be wrong of

you to hold yourself to the model of a teenage boy.

[Guest guest]

Speaking of "your moon". It has been suggested

that inverting the uterus during menses disrupts the

natural flow of blood through the cervix. <br>I found in

B.K.S. Iyengar's book Tree of Yoga pg. 100 "...that it

is advisable to avoid th practice of inverted poses

during the menstual period. The natural flow at the

menstrual period is discharge, and if the discharge does

not take place properly, you have headache... Now ,

if you do inverted poses at the time of menstuation,

there will be a tendency to absorb instead of

discharging. IF THE DISCHARGE IS BLOCKED BY DOING INVERTED

POSES, THIS MAY GIVE CERTAIN COATINGS INSIDE. To begin

with, you may not find there is much effect, but as a

result of the holding of the discharge through the

effect of gravity, a coating may be formed inside, which

may later lead to various diseases including cysts,

cancer and so on....The poses which are advised at that

time are forward bends..In these poses the natural

flow is maintained and at the same time a

physiological contraction takes place in the organ so that the

drying is quicker"<br> Now in Ashtanga inversions are

not held for what an Iyengar headstand or

shoulderstand would be (ideally 10 min per pose). Although I've

heard of Guruji having students hold headstand that

long. <br> Further, some teachers don't even want the

heart to dip lower than the uterus. I know it's a bit

like where in the days of the curse. I did meet a

young woman 20 or so who I believe did regular practice

of inversions (swaroopa yoga) and had surgury for

endometriosis. It may be completely unrelated to yoga

practice.<br> <br>I understand that KPJ suggests three days

rest from all practice period. <br><br>I asked a

senior Iyengar teacher how long to wait before resuming

practice of inversions. She stated the blood would no

longer be appearing of a bright red, but of the darker

color. <br><br>In my own experiments I have triggered my

periods by long (over one hour) supta baddha konasana

holds. And there are asanas to prolong the time before

hand, headstands. And this is not a suggestion, but

just to say asana is a powerful tool, whatever system.

And if we're talking about consciouness in body

awareness then tune into your rhythyms. Hmmm, I think I'll

take my own advise on this one. <br><br>Also, in

Richard Freeman's studio, they are happy to provide and

alternative sequence for menstuation time upon

request.<br><br>I admit to a bit of frustration of being outside of

the practice group on those days. Someday, on the sea

of glass...

[Guest guest]

Clarification on msg. <br><br>Addendum #1<br>

<br><<I asked a senior Iyengar teacher how long to wait

before resuming practice of inversions. She stated the

blood would no longer be appearing of a bright red, but

of the darker color. >><br><br>It is when the

blood is tapering off and it is brownish, no longer

red. Pays to be bloody forthcoming in the first

place.<br><br>Addendum #2<br><br><<I did meet a young woman 20 or

so who I believe did regular practice of inversions

(swaroopa yoga) and had surgury for endometriosis. It may

be completely unrelated to yoga

practice.>><br><br>She did inversion practice during her period. She was

an assistant to the teacher and had NEVER heard of

avoiding inversions during menses.<br><br>Addendum

#3<br><br>Twists can also place undue strain on the uterus during

menses time. Imagine a water baloon being sqeezed in the

middle.

[Guest guest]

Bikram has no inversions. It is perfect for cycle

time! Too bad my heart belongs to Ashtanga. Thanks

Galaxylazy for your wealth of information. It is difficult

too for me to limit my practice, when men don't have

to stop for a cycle.

[Guest guest]

A big thanks to all that answered my post. <br><br>I and all the ladies out

there appreciate these clarifications.