Yoga for Infertility
At least 15 percent of Americans experience infertility and the likelihood increases with age. Couples trying to conceive contend with an array of stressors; physical, emotional , and financial. Many of the unseen stress is very powerful and draining energetically. The practice of yoga brings balance to the body – both the physical and subtle energetic bodies. It is also a practical and proven way to relieve and reduce stress. Stress management skills (the basis of many yoga practices) have been shown to help increase the odds of conception in couples undergoing in vitro fertilization. The University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson found that stress management skills when practiced by a group of patients over two sessions produced a result of 28% of couples conceiving versus the just 6% who conceived without practicing these techniques.
In a similar study one out of 3 infertile women conceived who participated in a relaxation response based behavioral training program became pregnant after 6 months. Breathing, massage, meditation and yoga are all excellent forms of stress management and when coupled with a balanced diet, avoidance of alcohol, limited intake of caffeine, artificial foods and chemicals, and overly processed foods provides a safe, practical and holistic way to approach infertility that should not adversely affect any other medical interventions.
Below is a miniature Fertility Yoga sequence I have developed – it focuses on opening the energy in the sacral and root chakras (those that effect the reproductive organs), as well as opening the hips and pelvis. The poses are no different that those found in any other yoga class, it is the intention of the practitioner, the sankalpa, that one sets that dictates the path energy takes during practice. Take a few moments in the starting pose to set an intention of love, acceptance and compassion for yourself, your body and your partner. Breathe into the lower abdomen for several moments before moving on. Finish with the self massage, sending thoughts of love to your womb as you massage, then move into a supported savasana. Make sure to complete poses on each side. As with all exercise, consult your primary health care provider.
