Yoga and Fertility

I'm teaching a morning Hatha yoga intensive, and there is a couple in their late 30's who attend the class three days per week. They told me today that they have been trying to conceive for some time and asked if I knew of any specific yoga postures that would help to promote fertility. The woman was also concerned about the effects of practicing inversions during ovulation. I would be grateful for any information you have on which postures help or hinder fertility and why.

Blessings & Peace,
Jodi

ANSWERS:

From Lisa Powers, Expanding Light

I don't think anyone can prove that particular postures are going to improve fertility. However, postures that move energy through the second chakra, and ones that stimulate the abdominal area would make sense.

Other than that, breathing, meditation, and cultivating an attitude of acceptance (not preaching) that everything that is ours will come to us, will all help. A practice of any type which is emotionally soothing will also help them—especially if they've been trying for some time or have experienced miscarriage(s). Most of the asanas that are cooling and that turn on the PNS are also the most stimulating for the abdominal area. (Forward bends, twists, inversions.)

I do know that when you're trying to conceive and have been at it for a while it can take over the focus of your life. (Been there) That's why I think practicing meditation and "being" with "what is" can be very helpful. Have you ever noticed that when you finally stop needing something to be a certain way in order to be happy, it comes? It also helps people let go of a sense that it might be one or the other's "fault" that it's not happening.

They need to look at their lifestyle, too. Nourishment, fatigue, too much work, where are the pressures in their lives - is this another one? How are they doing with the yamas and niyamas. Can they live in the present or is "it' all depending upon the arrival of a child. It could do them good to try looking ahead at life without children to see what that can be, too. See the blessing in all possibilities.

Prayer—pray for the highest good and invite a beautiful soul in, be willing to offer a family to a soul waiting to come in. Speak to that soul, inviting them in.

These would all be a yogic approaches.

Inversions during ovulation. It doesn't seem like one would hold it long enough to be a significant factor, but who knows?

Yogananda has specific techniques to draw a spiritually minded soul into a family. Mary Kretzmann could tell you more about that (prayers@ananda.org).

From Jorge Sevillano, YTT Oct-Nov 2001

Hi Jodi:

There is a routine specifically for infertility problems in the book "Yoga the path to Holistic Health" By Iyengar. The routine is under women's problems.

Good luck

From Rosa, AYTT Spring '02

Dear Jodi,

There is a wonderful book called "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Weschler, MPH. A brilliant book regarding a natural birth control method known as FAM, and for pregnancy achievement. Excellently written, and it contains a lot of answers that your students might have regarding trying to conceive. This Dr. definitely knows her stuff. I highly recommend it as it was highly recommended to me by Dr. Tina M Brents.

Good Luck, love, Rosa