Yoga Teacher Training Forum

Namaskar,

A common symptom of perimenopause is often insomnia. Not being able to sleep can take the starch out of you. Sleep deprivation is so commonplace that it can go on for a whle before the chronic effects are connected. Some people fall asleep at the wheel while driving automobiles!!!

Herbal teas with valerian hops or chamomile soothe the mind and this helps us to fall asleep. A daily yoga practice which combines standing poses, backbends with restorative poses might tire us at the beginning of class but later we realize it calms the nerves, quiets the mind, and relaxes the body.

Fuzzy thinking is also a common symptom. Thank God it is usually only temporary. After hot flashes the most common complaint about perimenopause is fatigue. Daily yoga practice massages and stimulates the adrenal glands, in order to replenish the energy levels.

Its good to start with forward bends then standing poses, extended triangle pose, half moon pose, these will invigorate the glands. Backbends will squeeze them and twists will help with the flow of oxygenated blood.

Yogas relaxing, rejuvenating inverted poses can break the vicious cycle of adrenal exhaustion, stimulation and fatigue and smooth out the emotions. Twists and backbends improve functioning of the adrenals helping them to increase the amount of estrogen in the body. These poses also stimulate the kidneys.

Personality, emotions, body, mind and spirit should not be separated from each other. The same gs for yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, diet and spirituality. They are all interrelated. And has a big effect on our health.

Shanti,
Lea