Recent studies suggest that women nowadays are facing difficulty in conceiving due to various factors including stress, irregular monthly cycle, and hormonal distress. Can yoga treat infertility in women and increase their chances of conceiving? Are there any specific yoga postures that help females to attain complete womanhood? The answer is a big YES.
Being a mother is an incredibly beautiful feeling and brings a never-experienced joy in a woman’s life. Sadly, the physical and psychological stress a woman faces in her day to day life takes a lot of toll on her body, resulting in difficulty in conceiving. According to statistics published by the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 15% of the total couples in the world seek infertility treatment. And this percentage is increasing every year. That is the reason fertility yoga is gaining immense popularity these days.
Stress and other physical factors not only affect female reproductive organs but also has the same amount of adverse effect on males also. There are many yoga postures mentioned in 5000-yrs old ancient Indian practice that stimulates the reproductive organs, balances the hormones, increases the sperm count, and improves the chances of parenthood in a couple. Yoga postures mentioned by fertility yoga experts, may not be a complete cure for infertility but it definitely reduces the stress level and makes you feel fitter than before. Studies have proven that the ones who incorporate fertility-boosting yoga postures in their treatment are more likely to conceive than the ones who don’t.
What is fertility yoga?
Fertility yoga involves a set of yoga postures that helps you to create an optimal health condition of your body especially in the uterus and pelvic tissues, providing a conducive environment for conceiving. These yoga postures help you to release the stress and clean the body toxins.
Can yoga postures increase fertility?
Specific yoga postures increase the blood flow to reproductive organs, thus strengthening and stimulating them. It can clear the blockages in the reproductive system which may be hindering your chances of getting pregnant. Incorporating yoga in your daily life may lower the stress and anxiety level, regulates body function, and supports sperm production. Regular practice of yoga naturally cures the ovary related issues and keeps the hormones in check. A healthier body responds better to the medicines used to induce pregnancy.
Yoga postures boosting fertility and increasing chances of conceiving
These yoga postures are perfect for you if you are stressed about getting pregnant lately. Try these asanas to fight infertility.
1. Sarvangasana
Also known as the shoulder stand, this yoga posture treats thyroid dysfunction effectively. This inverted pose increases the blood flow to the head and relieves the stress.
Thyroid dysfunction is one of the most common causes of problems in natural conceiving. Due to a lack of Thyroid-Stimulating-Hormone (TSH), many hormonal problems including infertility arise. As Sarvangasana directly targets the thyroid gland, it is one of the most effective poses to treat infertility.
2. Setu Bandhasana
Popularly known as bridge pose, it has a calming effect on the central nervous system. It improves blood circulation in the whole body. It releases the tension in the lower abdomen and strengthens the hip muscles. Gives a great stimulating effect on your reproductive organs. It further boosts your chances of getting pregnant.
3. Baddha Konasana
This yoga posture is also known as the butterfly pose or bound angle pose. It stretches the muscles of your inner thighs, hips, and knees. It increases your flexibility and relaxes the whole body. It is also recommended to pregnant ladies as it is highly beneficial in smoother and less painful delivery. Click here for more information about pregnancy yoga poses.
According to Iyengar, this yoga posture is a blessing to the women due to its therapeutic effects on the health of the ovaries and abdomen. It opens the hip muscles and increases the blood flow to the reproductive organs.
4. Viparit Dandasana
This is a complex exercise and advised to perform under your yoga trainer’s observation. It improves flexibility and opens up the chest, stimulates the adrenal, thyroid, pituitary, and pineal glands. This is the perfect remedy to treat depression. It is a must for a woman stressed with fertility issues.
5. Balasana
Balasana stimulates the Anahata chakra because it stretches the spine as you go down on your chest and stomach. This is often why the asana relaxes both your body and your mind, releasing all the dissipated energy.
6. Bhujangasana
One of the poses from Surya Namaskara, it can be performed separately to increases fertility. As it resembles the cobra the pose is also known as the cobra pose. It tones the abdomen muscles, increases flexibility, strengthens the spine, opens the shoulders, and increases blood circulation.
7. Pashchimottanasana
The seated forward bend pose stretches the muscles of your lower back, hamstring, and hips. It is one of the very useful yoga postures as it vitalizes important organs like the ovaries and stomach while reducing mental stress. This leads to increased fertility in women.
8. Hastapadasana
Popularly known as standing forward bend, it stretches all the muscles in your back and legs, further improving the blood circulation in the whole body. It releases all the stress from the abdomen area and its regular practice increases your chances of conceiving.
9. Salamba Shirsasana
This is a classic headstand pose and one of the most challenging ones too. Advised to perform strictly under the observance of a trained professional it is one of the best yoga postures for fertility. You can perform the pose with the support of props like cable or with help of someone to avoid injuries.
10. Shavasana
A very popular yoga posture due to its simplicity. Also known as the corpse position. This pose is usually performed in between the resting period in a yoga session or at the end of the yoga classes, to normalize the heartbeats and relax the strained muscles.
11. Bhramari Pranayama
Bhramari pranayama is great in treating stress and anxiety. As stress is one of the major reasons for infertility in both men and women, this asana is a must-try yoga posture for couples trying to conceive. It is also known as the humming bee breathing technique.
12. Kapalbhati Pranayama
It is one of the most popular types of pranayama due to its remedial effects for many maladies. It refreshes your mind to a great extent, reducing your stress levels, and feeling you with positive energy.