Yoga Teacher Training Forum

Yoga and Migraine

Migraine affects more than 28 million Americans, and about 75% are women. It is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, mood changes, sensitivity to light and/or sound, tunnel vision or seeing spots, or dizziness. Pain may be felt on one or both sides of the head, at the back of the neck, around the eyes, on the face, or in the sinuses.

Triggers for Migraine attack vary for each individual. Among the factors include stress, certain food, weather changes, light, smells or odors, change in sleeping habits, some medications, and hormonal fluctuations. Scientists also think that imbalances in brain chemicals such as serotonin and magnesium may trigger Migraine attack. Fluctuation in estrogen and progesterone also seem to cause Migraine attack in Women.

Treatment includes pain relievers, stress reduction, exercise, and avoidance of the factors that trigger the attack such as alcohol, * contraceptive, and smoking. Stress reducing poses can also help in preventing Migraine Yoga Therapy for Migraine generally focuses on the prevention of the occurrence which includes stress reduction and avoidance of the various causes of the attacks. Yoga can also alleviate the headache pain by providing relief to sensory overload and relaxing your mind.

The following are the Yoga Poses that can help prevent Migraine attacks. You may also practice the Yoga Session for Tension-Type Headaches at the first sign of Migraine attack or during mild attacks. Remember that you should not practice Yoga during severe attacks:

 Kapalabhati Breathing

 Mountain Pose

 Forward Bend or Hands to Feet (Pada Hastasana)

 Warrior Pose

 Triangle Pose (Trikonasana)

 Tree Pose (Vrksasana)

 Lotus Pose (Padmasana)

 Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana)

 Child Pose (Balasana)

 Sage Twist (Marichyasana)

 Wind Relieving Pose

 Fish Pose (Matsyasana)

 Leg up the wall

 Final Corpse Pose(Savasana)