In recent years, yoga has become a very popular and respected form of exercise. People are noticing its effects in their daily lives and it is swiftly turning into more of a lifestyle revolution than just another fitness craze. Yoga disciplines the mind and the body, bringing its practitioner into a more aware and relaxed state. By the daily practice of yoga, you can develop a healthier relationship with your body and mind and start to release negative habits brought on by stress and repressed emotions. Because of this, people have been able to quit smoking, lose weight and even enhance intimacy. How then, would yoga affect a woman’s ability to conceive?
In a recent study, a group of women who had been trying to get pregnant for over a year entered a ten week program consisting of daily yoga practice, relaxation and nutrition. Another group of women acted as the control and received no special treatment. After a year, fifty five percent of the group enrolled in the program had conceived in comparison to twenty percent of the control group. This information alone is enough to convince many women to begin a daily practice.
The poses that benefit women who are trying to conceive are generally restorative. Hatha Yoga is a branch of yoga that focuses on slow, steady movement and intense relaxation and is therefore the best choice for women struggling with fertility. Take a month to chart your cycle and focus your most intense practices on days when you know you are ovulating. Many yogis believe that headstands and shoulder stands are beneficial for conception because of the affect they are believed to have on hormone production. These as well as reclining poses should be incorporated into your practice at this time. The reclining poses open up and soften the pelvic area, focusing your mind onto the areas that need encouragement. While you are practicing these poses, center your awareness on your reproductive organs with visualization and deep breathing. Imagine sending energy to your uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries while at the same time willing them to relax.
One specialized yoga technique for conception worth mentioning is known as ‘viparita karani’ or ‘legs up the wall pose’. After coitus, lie on your back and walk your legs up the wall. This tilts the pelvis and according to yogic philosophy, closes the entrance to the uterus in order to keep your partner’s sperm secure. You can remain in this pose as long as you are comfortable, making sure to maintain a relaxed mind through gentle breathing.
It’s easy to become obsessed with conception when your desire to start a family is so intense, but building up this kind of tension has the opposite effect. You may consider researching yoga retreats designed specifically for conception. Some ashrams offer ten week courses similar to the one previously mentioned and getting away from your everyday stresses may be exactly what you and your partner need. In any case, daily yoga practice and awareness of your stress level will help to create the optimal condition for conception as well as a healthy habit that will serve you well in all other areas of your life.
