“Woman is Shakti, the Creator.
Each Woman is a Shakti.
Just realize it”
~Sri M
Women are special in their many ways to nurture, nourish and support a child, their mental and emotional attributes like compassion, sensitivity, and most importantly, motherly love.
A woman’s body is biologically created for specific functions, and she undergoes many changes physically, physiologically, mentally as well. Yoga is a practical approach to help a woman understand their body and minds better. It also equips women to face the different changes and stages of life with grace and equanimity.
How are women unique?
The whole science of Yoga is based on the principle of experiencing one’s journey in their own unique way.
Sri M answers this in a very simple way, in his book My Friend.
“The difference between men and women is not just physical, because of the different body shape, but also a difference in sensations and feelings. Different psychological make-up, different movements of inner feelings.”
The 4 Phases in a Woman’s Life
A woman goes through four major biological transitions that impacts her physically, mentally and emotionally.
Puberty: Usually starts around early teenage and goes on till a girl matures into a woman. It starts with development of female reproductive organs and the menstrual cycles. This results in a lot of physical, hormonal and emotional changes that a young girl has to go through. This is a good age to introduce simple Yoga practices into their life.
Womanhood and Marriage: This phase brings in a significant change in one’s mental and emotional state. Biological changes also happen with sexual intimacy and with additional domestic responsibilities, most of the women end up neglecting their own well-being.
Motherhood– Becoming a mother is like a rebirth for a woman. A woman grows and nurtures a baby inside her body. During this period the body and mind undergoes countless changes and everything that a woman does now is primarily for the wellbeing of the new life that is growing inside her.
Menopause– With time, the body produces less reproductive hormones leading to stopping of the monthly cycles. This period is called menopause. This is also a gradual process like puberty and usually takes place in early to late forties. The gradual decrease of female reproductive hormones result in a number of physical and emotional changes.
During all these phases a woman not only undergoes biological changes but she is also subjected to mental and emotional challenges starting from adolescence up until menopause. The science of Yoga and its adoption as a lifestyle helps a woman combat these challenges at every point, and unlocks her highest potential.
Common Medical Health Issues Faced by Women
In addition to the bodily changes, the hormones inside a woman’s body are in a state of flux resulting from the combined feedback received from the inner system and outer environment. A disturbance or imbalance in either of the two results in a number of physical, mental and emotional problems. The current fast paced lifestyle, improper diet, sleep and most importantly stress are some of the major external factors that lead to hormone imbalance and the resulting health problems in women.
PCOS, PCOD, endometriosis, heavy menstrual bleeding, mood swings, weakness, depression, hot flashes, early menopause and insomnia, are few of the health issues that most women experience in their life.
How Does Yoga Help ?
The practice of Yoga is a combination of physical postures or Asanas, breathing techniques or Pranayama and concentration or meditation. It works on the physiological and psychological aspects of an individual’s health.
Physically:
- It helps in building full body strength by using one’s own body weight as resistance.
- Helps reduce stress and builds resilience by massaging the endocrine glands and calming the nerves.
- Improves cartilage and joint function and reduces their degeneration.
- Boost immunity by increasing lymph drainage through stretching and moving certain muscles and internal organs.
Mentally and Emotionally:
- Leads to an increased awareness of one’s body, thoughts and emotions. This leads to better control of one’s moods and increased sense of happiness and calm.
- Breathing techniques or pranayama help calm the mind and provide clarity of thought.
- Breath Balancing pranayama helps balance the energy flow in the system and makes the mind still.
- Meditation techniques allow the mind to remain focused internally and this also increases concentration in all the work one does externally.
“Hatha Yoga makes the body fit but yoga is not only physical. It deals with the endocrine system too. It is also about the psychological aspects. Asanas are done in such a way as to bring about changes in the hormonal system. You can alter your mood with physical asanas
Asanas are designed to keep the body supple, massage the internal organs and keep the channels clear for uninterrupted flow of energy.” -Sri M
Some of the practices that can help improve female health, bring about hormonal balance and reduce stress are listed below:
- Greeva sanchalana (neck stretches)
- Marjari Asana
- Supta Pawanmuktasna
- Skanda chakra (shoulder rotations)
- Titli Asana (full butterfly)
- Surya Namaskar
- Janu Sirshasana
- Setubandhasana
- Ardha Shalabhasana
- Balasana
- Shavasana
- Bhramari
- Nadi Shodhana or Anuloma Viloma
Daily practice along with observing moderation in all activities is the key to achieving success in Yoga.
Regular practice of Asanas, pranayama and meditation techniques helps one slowly improve in each aspect of one’s life and ultimately leads one to unlock their highest potential.
Our specially designed online course SakhyaM enables women to develop a deep understanding of their own self and take control of their physical, mental and emotional well-being through the practice of Yoga.
To know more, write to us at bharatyoga@satsang-foundation.org
