I get asked often about yoga and fertility – specifically if yoga can boost fertility. The answer is no, not directly or at least there are no studies on it.
But, still, Yoga has enormous benefits and can be extremely helpful if you are planning a family. It is known to relieve stress which is the primary cause of infertility in women. High levels of stress and cortisol reduce the chances of ovulation and increase the risk of miscarriage.
Yoga can also improve the results of fertility treatments. This has led to many clinics introducing fertility yoga programs.
How Does Yoga Benefit Women Who Are Wanting to Start A Family?
Yoga is extremely beneficial for the body. It is a low impact work out that can significantly reduce and even eradicate the risk of diabetes and pregnancy complications. Yoga relaxes the mind and body which is why there seems to be no direct connection between Yoga and fertility but seems to definitely have an indirect impact while conceiving.
Once conceived, make sure you do yoga only under the supervision of a trained yoga instructor. This way you’ll be covering all the relevant poses for a smooth pregnancy and will also avoid overdoing it. When you practice yoga when pregnant, your body releases a hormone called “relaxin”. This hormone eases the entire process of delivery.
Yoga and Fertility
Some of the poses you should consider while trying to conceive are:
Janu Sirsasana
This asana is one of the best for getting rid of belly fat, provides the brain with calming effects thereby reducing mild depression and anxiety. It is said to improve digestion, relieve menstrual pain and cramps and symptoms of menopause. It is extremely beneficial in strengthening the back during pregnancy until the second trimester.
Setu Bandha Sarvangasana
This pose has a calming effect on the body, heart rate, and blood pressure are reduced significantly. This pose is said to breakdown the stress hormone thus, hugely beneficial in times of stress and anxiety. This pose also releases the stress trapped in the back muscles. It increases blood circulation in the pituitary gland, thyroid, and adrenal glands so they perform efficiently.
Paschimottanasana
Paschimottanasana is a Sanskrit word meaning “Seated Forward Bend Pose”. It is one of the most important poses for stretching the entire body. Extremely beneficial for the ones that are diabetic and have high blood pressure.
This pose should preferably be performed in the morning, on an empty stomach and meals that have been consumed well in advance.
If you have back injuries, diarrhea and are asthmatic, you should absolutely avoid this pose. This pose increases blood circulation in all the abdominal organs like the liver, pancreas, kidneys and the intestines thus, improving the overall digestion.
Paschimottanasana improves blood circulation in the pelvic region, thoroughly nourishing all the reproductive organs. It can positively impact the ones that lack sexual desires and infertility and impotence.
Viparita Karani
This asana can be extremely beneficial in improving the blood circulation towards and around the neck region, thus stimulating the endocrine gland as well as the thyroid gland which is responsible for the hormonal balance.
This pose helps in reducing fat around the waist and tones up the neck and spine and the organs in the abdomen. It calms the mind and helps fight headaches, insomnia, anxiety and depression and blood pressure problems, migraine, premenstrual syndrome, cramps, and menopause.
Bad lifestyle habits tend to take a toll on your overall health and fertility. While planning a family you need to take care of yourself in order to overcome fertility issues and become pregnant.
Baddha Konasana
It stretches the inner thighs, knees, and groins and stimulates the abdominal organs like the prostate gland, kidneys, ovaries, and the bladder. Regular practice of this pose helps to calm the mind, anxiety, and depression. Soothes sciatica pain and menstrual cramps relieve symptoms of Menopause. Therapeutic for infertility and asthma.
Related Content
Written by:
Vivek Roy is an enthusiastic Yoga blogger and Traveller from India. He has done yoga teacher training in rishikesh. He loves to travel and share the knowledge of yoga around the world. For more information about him visit his website.