Polycistic Ovary Syndrome, also known as PCOS, can cause many problems for a woman. Fortunately, there are ways to cope with the syndrome. Doing certain yoga asanas for PCOS treatment can improve the symptoms and help you enjoy a better lifestyle.
What Is PCOS?
PCOS involves the growth of cysts on a woman’s ovaries. As a result, there are hormonal imbalances. It can make it difficult to get pregnant, cause physical changes, and may even lead to long term problems like diabetes and heart disease. The hormonal imbalance associated with this syndrome can cause insulin problems, and may result in fatigue. If a woman with PCOS becomes pregnant, there is a higher risk for complications.
There are several symptoms of PCOS. These symptoms include:
- Depression
- Excess hair growth on your face or body
- Acne
- Difficulty getting pregnant
- Irregular period cycles
- Hair thinning on your scalp
- Weight gain
- Difficulty losing weight
- Symptoms of diabetes
If you experience any of the above symptoms, you may be suffering from PCOS. A medical professional can diagnose you, and you can address the issue as you begin to treat the symptoms.
Why Do Yoga for PCOS Treatment?
Many women wonder “Is yoga good for PCOS?” Some yoga poses, commonly called yoga asanas, can treat the symptoms of PCOS. A combination of the physical and emotional benefits of yoga have been shown to play an important role in treating women who suffer from the syndrome. To help deal with the stress and mood swings associated with the issue, yoga asanas teach you how to breathe and meditate. This can keep you relaxed and calm through the most stressful of times.
On a physical level, the benefits of yoga asanas can keep you healthy and fit even when you are suffering from low energy levels. Additionally, the workout that comes with performing a regular yoga routine can help you lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.
Types of Yoga Asanas That Are Good for PCOS Treatment
There are several yoga postures for PCOS. You can play music while doing these poses to stay relaxed and stress-free. Breathing deep and long breaths is an important part of each pose, as is achieving the proper form. Guidance from an experienced yoga teacher can ensure that you are making the most of your routine and can greatly decrease the chance of injury. Going to a yoga class or watching a yoga video can maximize the benefits of the following poses. Below we outline several yoga poses for PCOS treatment.
1. Reclining Butterfly Pose:
Lay on your back with a pillow under your hip and your knees bent. Drop your left knee to the left side, your right knee to the right, and touch the soles of your feet together. Avoid moving your legs and concentrate on holding the pose.
2. Bharadvaja’s Twist:
This pose is a simple seated twist. It improves balance and is very relaxing.
3. Moving the Grinding Wheel:
As you sit on the ground with your legs straight in front of you, you reach forward in a clockwise circular motion. This exercise can be repeated several times and done in a counter-clockwise direction. This exercise benefits your organs and improves the elasticity of your spinal column.
4. Corpse Pose:
This relaxing pose has been known to combat depression, reduce fatigue, and lower blood pressure. To do the corpse pose, you lay flat on your back with your arms 45 degrees at and your legs rolled naturally outwards.
5. Padma Sadhana:
This sequence of poses involves five stages that include stability, awareness, grace, perfection, and blossoming. It is important to avoid putting too much pressure on your abdomen while performing these poses.
6. Sun Salutation:
This pose can be done rapidly for weight loss, or slowly for relaxation. Maintaining the proper form throughout the pose is slightly challenging, but critical.
Incorporate Yoga Asanas Into Your Routine
You can perform the poses mentioned above as a daily, timed routine or you can create different routines and vary them throughout the week. The Padma Sadhana is particularly effective when practiced for about 45 minutes straight, so you can focus on this one or two days a week and alternate with a routine involving the other yoga asanas. Whatever you decide, maintaining a steady routine can keep you healthy and happy.
Coping with PCOS can be challenging, but treating it with yoga can make it much more manageable. A healthy and happy life is only a few asanas poses away.