| The most common form of yoga practiced in the | | | | Menstrual Discomfort |
| United States is hatha yoga. Hatha yoga differs from | | | | Many medical facilities are dedicated to women's |
| other disciplines of yoga as it is more exercise than | | | | health alone because of a woman's unique anatomy |
| mental preparation for meditation. All yoga stretches | | | | and life changes. Hatha yoga is able to promote |
| are designed to relax the body on the path of spiritual | | | | women's health by providing an outlet for daily |
| enlightenment including meditation; however most | | | | exercise which is recommended by most doctors. |
| Americans practice the poses for the fitness benefits. | | | | Also the massaging of internal muscles, the poses and |
| Hatha yoga is a gentle exercise which strengthens the | | | | stretches are thought to ease menstrual pain or other |
| existing muscles without adding unwanted muscle bulk. | | | | discomforts associated with the menstrual cycle. |
| People who practice hatha yoga claim all kinds of | | | | Pregnancy |
| homeopathic benefits from illness relief to increased | | | | Some poses of hatha yoga are known to be safe |
| concentration while meditating. | | | | exercises for women while pregnant. However, not all |
| Hatha Yoga and Illness | | | | poses should be preformed while pregnant; poses |
| There is no conclusive scientific evidence that hatha | | | | which would require a woman to press on her |
| yoga has any positive or negative health benefits. | | | | stomach for instance would not be recommended. |
| However, the technique is thousands of years old and | | | | Also during the third trimester, only gentle stretches |
| the people which practice the poses and meditation | | | | and poses of hatha yoga should be practiced. Any |
| claim a variety of health benefits. Hatha yoga is said | | | | poses which would require a woman to lie on her back |
| by some to be able to ease every discomfort from | | | | or stand on one foot should be avoided late in |
| bowel problems to head aches. The stretches and | | | | pregnancy. |
| poses are said to massage the inner organs balancing | | | | There is a reason for each of these points; in the first |
| the body's chemicals naturally. | | | | case, there is a large system of veins that supply |
| Even if there is no conclusive evidence supporting the | | | | blood and oxygen to the baby that runs by the spine. |
| claims that hatha yoga does in fact have health | | | | The added weight of the baby on this system of veins |
| benefits beyond physical exercise, many people who | | | | can slow blood flow to the baby and deny it oxygen. |
| practice yoga have better self esteem, are more in | | | | The other is because during pregnancy, usually |
| tune with their bodies needs, and take a more active | | | | sometime in the second trimester, a woman's |
| role in their health by exercising regularly and eating | | | | equilibrium changes and she may have trouble |
| healthy foods. | | | | maintaining her balance while on one foot. |