When period pain strikes, the last thing you want to do is exercise. Yet, it's been long said that gentle movement, such as yoga, helps those suffering with pesky menstrual cramps.
And one woman who swears yoga's healing powers is London-based yogi Florence Lefebvre, who spoke to Pretty 52 about the best poses to ease period pain when it's your time of the month.
The yoga practitioner explains that aside from breathing exercises, if Aunty Flow has come to visit then try these moves at home:
Full Forward Bend
This pose is said to have a calming and re-energising effect on the body while you sit with your legs out in front and lean over them.
Explaining the benefits, Florence said: "This helps alleviate menstrual discomfort by stretching the back and encouraging discharge thanks to the gentle pressure of the abdomen against the thighs."
Knees To Chest
When your period pains start to kick in, we often feel like curling up into a little ball when period pains kick in. Apanasana is a nice way to apply gentle pressure on your abdominal area, acting as a massage as you breathe deeply in and out.
Florence says: "Try lying on your back with your knees to your chest, before rocking side to side to really target the lower back which is also a sensitive area during moon cycles. This is due to contractions in the uterus which ripple through the pelvic region via a web of nerves."
Spinal Twist
Florence explains that a spinal twist, also known as Jathara Parivartanāsana, is superb for gently stretching the lower back and a good move to transition From Apanasana.
She says to open your arms to the sides at shoulder-height and roll over to your right. After 10 breaths, switch side.
Child Pose
The pose stretches the back and as Florence says, "you get that lovely feeling of being all curled up, warm and safe while massaging your abdominal area through the rise and fall of your belly as you breathe in and out deeply"
And it's not only Florence who discussed the healing powers of yoga during your period as Intimina's consultant Gynaecologist Dr. Anne Henderson told Pretty 52 that it has a "calming influence on the body."
"There is also evidence that vigorous activity can reduce the frequency and intensity of uterine contractions, which also helps alleviate pain," she shared.
"Finally, any form of exercise will increase circulating endorphins and other 'positive hormones' which enhances a sense of wellbeing and prevents the draining fatigue which can accompany periods - all very beneficial!"
Although there is no evidence that certain poses will have an adverse impact on menstrual bleeding, Dr Henderson says: "The relaxing benefits of Yoga can also help reduce other symptoms such as breast tenderness and muscle pain."
So if you're suffering with your time of the month then grab your mat and get practising!
Featured Image Credit: UnsplashTopics: Life News, Periods, Real, Health