AF

[Candyperfumegirl]

Hi all,

I've been going to my yoga class for a good six months now and absolutely love it, however I find I have to miss a session each month due to af. It's really annoying especially as I have to pay in blocks so know I am always paying for a least one session I will not be able to attend. The yoga teacher is really nice but he's a bloke so...you know I don't really feel comfortable going up to him before the class letting him know it's my time of the month. I was just wondering what others do during their time of the month? Do you continue your yoga practice regardless or give it a miss? Do you wear something different eg jogging pants instead of leggings?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated :)

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Why would you miss it? just wear what you're comfortable in and get a mooncup

[GladAllOver]

I don't do yoga, but I do Pilates that also involves lots of stretching. I wear leggings and don't have any period problems, using internal protection.

[acornsandnuts]

I do Pilates and never missed a class due to AF.

What is it that's worrying you?

Don't you watch the bodyform adverts..you can roller skate and everything in these modern times

[Bobbiepin]

I know some yoga teachers say there's some moves like inversions that you shouldn't do on your period bit other than that, wear a tampon or a mooncup and a pantyliner if you are worried about leaks and get on with it. You'll feel better for going (I say that trying not to feel like a hypocrite for wanting to skip my yoga class tonight because of morning sickness!)

[Minimammoth]

There is always a 50/50 split into advice for this,those who don't and those who do. For my own part I would continue, unless you have pain or flooding. If you feel uncomfortable in any posture sit it out, or take a slightly easier asana.
I would always give permission for anyone in my class to stop if they are hurting or uncomfortable, for whatever reason. They don't have to tell me. I would wear something loose, stay tuned into how you feel, listen to your body.

[Wolfiefan]

Why would you miss classes? He may be a man but he's a teacher. Perhaps say you've been missing classes for this reason. What would be suggest? My teacher used to say no inversions. So no head stands etc. rest as normal.

[LordEmsworth]

There are a few things you shouldn't do while on your period, but there are lots and lots of things that will help.

The short version is no inversions (headstand/shoulderstand), no closed twists (where you turn towards your bent leg - turning away from bent leg is good), and nothing which hardens the abdomen (like boat pose). Anything that softens, broadens or lengthens the abdomen is good.

If your teacher has had proper training then he will know how to ensure you do the right things and will give you alternatives. He knows you probably have periods, it won't be a shock to him...

[Candyperfumegirl]

Sounds like I'm over thinking the situation lol, thanks for the advice.

[LeannePerrins]

If you're routinely missing a class once every four weeks then he has probably realised the reason already.

No inversions. Every teacher I've had, male or female, has always said explicitly 'don't do this if you are menstruating' before certain asanas. If I'm really heavy then I might double up on a tampon and a pad but there's really no reason not to practice.

[Kissisforpirate]

Sorry to jump in, but why should nt you do inversions while on?

Op- the bad yogi site has a video for yoga for period pains.

[cactusbutt]

The no-inversions thing is there for a few reasons. It takes a lot of abdominal strength to hold the stronger inversions - you don't want to be straining that area while you have your period. Yoga is also concerned with how 'energy' moves around your body. Periods are associated with the downward flow of energy - when you do inversions you're 'inverting' this energy, which is thought to be disruptive.

There are loads of poses you can do while you're menstruating though. Your teacher will be able to help if you tell him - he's a yoga teacher, they get trained in this stuff. I'm doing my teacher training at the moment and we get drilled on alternative poses for periods all the time.

[twolittleboysonetiredmum]

Never ever rely on a mooncup whilst doing yoga! Doing downward dog is enough to make mine break it's seal. That's the only advice I can give, I don't not do yoga when I have my period but limit what I do

[welshweasel]

Absolutely no reason at all not to do yoga whilst you have your period, including any inversions. What do you think is going to happen? This sort of thing makes me so cross, it's entirely the wrong sort of message to send out. Yoga can be brilliant for easing period pains too.

[cactusbutt]

Without wanting to start a fight about it, not practicing inversions while menstruating is very much a part of many schools of yoga.

I mean, of course you can do inversions during your period if you really want to - and nothing drastic will happen, other than that you might feel a bit tired and strained afterwards.

However, yoga isn't necessarily about doing something just because you can.

Listening to my body and respecting its needs is, for me anyway, far more important than pulling out a handstand or pincha mayurasana or whatever when I'm feeling cramped, achy and fatigued during my period. Stepping aside from a strong practice for a few days a month and practicing restorative poses isn't going to hurt me.

[welshweasel]

Yes, completely your choice and I totally respect that. But other people shouldn't be made to feel that they can't or shouldn't do these things during their period, if that's what they want.

[Bombardier25966]

I mean, of course you can do inversions during your period if you really want to - and nothing drastic will happen, other than that you might feel a bit tired and strained afterwards.

There's no clinical reason why exertion should make you any more tired and strained during your period than at any time. I actually choose a stronger routine when I'm on because it's a good distraction from the pain.

Maybe you should try it? You never know, it might help!

[ZoyaTheDestroyer]

This isn't the usual misogynistic bullshit designed to control what women can or cannot do. It is based upon the fundamental belief in prana and its role in the body. There's no modern physiological reason not to perform inversions when menstruating and most yoga practitioners in the West don't necessarily subscribe to the wider belief system but that doesn't mean that teachers are wrong to give that guidance. If they were just there to tell you the poses then it would be a Pilates class.

[cactusbutt]

Zoya yes, precisely. The asanas are really just the tip of the iceberg with yoga.

[SweetLuck]

I think that it should be made clear that the 'no inversions' thing is due to energy flow (aka made up mumbo jumbo) rather that any physiological reasons.

[BLUEsNewSpringWatch]

I find this somewhat intriguing as I'd never heard of it and my yoga teacher is very good at making clear when people can't do certain moves because of medical conditions, etc. Also what if, like me, you still have womb and ovaries, are on no hormonal contraception but due to womb lining being removed, have no periods. So my body still thinks it has periods but I don't get any actual bleeding.