Yoga yenta's feminine flow…
Yoga Yenta
To go upside-down, or not go upside-down? That is the question. Like many issues in yoga and life, opinions vary regarding inversions during menstruation. Some yogis are adamantly against it; while others believe it’s a choice every woman should make based on her individual body. What’s a girl to do? As if that time of the month is not stressful enough!
So, I go to yoga the other day. It was a fantastic class – super challenging and ridiculously sweaty. I felt great, especially because the hottest babe in class placed his Manduka mat right next to mine. Yahoo!
The energy of our breath and bodies were blending in perfect rhythm and harmony when suddenly, the teacher instructed us to go into shoulder stand “or your favorite inversion,” (as if there were such a thing).
He explained that it’s important to go upside-down every day in order to calm the brain, improve circulation and reverse the blood flow and the daily effects of gravity”¦“Unless you’re on your moon cycle,”he warned.
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Oy. Panic sets in. What should I do? On the one hand, it would be lovely to get a bonus resting break in Supta Baddha Konasana just before Savasana.
But, on the other, does the entire studio – including my new boyfriend – need to get the press release announcing that Aunt Flo is visiting??? What’s going to happen if I go upside down while I’m “in my moon”? Will it start coming out my ears? Maybe that’s what they mean by flow yoga.
Some yoga experts say that inverting during menstruation can disturb our bodies’ natural downward energetic and gravitational flow. And let’s not overlook the potentially humiliating sound effects that could emerge from a sudden expulsion of trapped air when rolling out of shoulder stand. On second thought, lets.
Ancient yogi tradition teaches us about honoring ourselves in the present moment, letting go of our egos and finding balance and acceptance at every stage and cycle of our lives.
So, putting my new boyfriend issues aside, I decide to join my class’ “moon club,”and to give my feminine self the rest, renewal and relaxation it deserves. Yoga teaches us to honor ourselves in every way possible. Even, sometimes, to go with the flow”¦
Om Shanti & Infinite gratitude,
Yoga Yenta
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