yoga postures for your cycle, belly & back
syncing & cycling with the body
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During the 8+ years I lived in New York, I did what many New Yorkers do and often bulldozed my way through how I was feeling. Sometimes this was necessary for whatever reason, even if simply for getting from point A to point B via the sometimes unreliable subway system (especially the L train - IYKYK…).
In a handful of yoga classes, the teacher would occasionally offer variations and modifications for those who were on their cycle, just like one would have to consider during pregnancy or while nurturing general imbalances - whether because of an injury, physical hindrance, or current mental state.
I typically brushed by these suggestions in pursuit of receiving the full practice in all its intensity, which unsurprisingly came back to bite me eventually (maybe it even bit me in the moment, but I was still clad in my hyper-resilient New York City armor).
Over time, my adrenals (glands that produce and balance hormones, determining our energy levels and more) were kaput, my period left the building for over 2 years, and I was physically and mentally wiped out.
Although there is certainly a time and place when one must “power through,” doing so on autopilot or at all times is neither physically nor mentally sustainable. After a while, our body will somehow communicate its resulting burnout to us.
Living in France has taught me a lot about slowing down to a much more manageable pace, which coincides with honoring the seasons - something the French do very well (almost annoyingly so, i.e. “Let’s close everything and take off for the entire month of August, maybe even all summer. Vive les vacances!”).
This has also meant unlearning a lot of my own patterning around ignoring my body’s natural rhythm in favor of pushing forward, because I was “strong and capable and motivated!” until I didn’t feel like any of those things.
The body is very, very intelligent; I’ve been learning that the more consciously, intentionally, and deeply I communicate with it (i.e. listening, paying close attention to, inquiring, trusting, tuning out a lot of noise, responding accordingly via thoughts and actions), the better I feel.
It’s an ongoing and fluctuating journey, but it’s an important one for the sake of longevity and, more importantly, feeling balanced as said longevity unfolds.
Especially as I age (a fate of which no one is exempt, but can be upgraded and enjoyable with various tools), I’ve been more inspired to honor the literal cycles of my body in many ways - the same way we accept the cyclical nature of seasons.
We all know what it’s like when we ignore or resist the cycles of the seasons - for example, foregoing protective clothing during winter (a true privilege to even have cold-weather gear in the first place). We probably surrender at some point because we’re freaking freezing, and hard pass on hypothermia or frostbite.
In the same way, there is not a lot to gain from resisting or ignoring the cycles of our body (it will probably, in fact, actually hinder us further over time) - whatever gender we do or don’t identify with; whatever our age or current life circumstances.
I’ve been continually inspired by my studies with Nikki Costello, who was inspired by and studied with Geeta Iyengar, who was adamant about studying the female body in relation to yoga asana postures (she wrote Yoga: A Gem For Women, among other informational books).
Geeta’s father, B.K.S. Iyengar, was also an infinitely intelligent teacher regarding the modifications he created for a variety of circumstances - from illnesses to injuries to general physical obstacles - in order to receive the physiological benefits of a pose in some way, shape, or form.
By modifying postures in specific ways - whether on our cycle or working with another physical / psychological condition - we still reap the benefits of physical movement while also nourishing the cyclical functions of our bodies / organs. This makes for a much more integrated and interconnected experience.
The more we learn how to listen to vs ignore and respond to vs reject our bodies and their needs, the better and more balanced we’ll feel - and the more natural it will be to continue this cycle as our own cycles shift.
I am still learning - as we all are - but am happy to share with you some postures that have been beneficial for me personally.
I offer this short, simple sequence on YouTube to practice during your period - which is also beneficial for beginners or prenatal practitioners, when working with back pain, or to make space in the abdomen (i.e. to soothe digestive dis-ease).
Practice tip: Keep the muscles of the thighs engaged in postures where the legs are straight - this will stabilize the pelvis and create space in the belly / back. Use props like blocks, bolsters, or straps (or whatever you have at home) for further assistance.
Reach out to me with questions concerning modifications you might need to make, or work with me 1:1.
Enjoy taking care of your body in this way!
A variety of yoga and mindfulness tools can be found on my curated Amazon storefront (as an affiliate, I receive a small commission).
If it’s meditation you’re seeking, I have guided recordings on Insight Timer.
How do you honor the cycles of your body?
Take good care,
S
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