Since there are about 10 million women worldwide living with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), that means there are a lot of women dealing with a wide variety of potentially painful and relentlessly frustrating symptoms every single day, including things like irregular periods, pelvic pain, cystic acne, chronic fatigue, and mood swings. While there isn't a cure for PCOS, self-care practices — including a nutritious diet, plenty of sleep, and gentle exercise — are extremely beneficial for managing and coping with the symptoms. So, with that in mind, is yoga good for PCOS and some of the symptoms that come with the condition?
You bet it is. A general, consistent yoga practice boasts benefits that extend well beyond just keeping your body strong and stretched, but certain yoga poses are shown to be especially great for soothing painful symptoms associated with PCOS, such as back and pelvic pain.
If you're living with PCOS, remember that you are not alone; it is one of the most common hormonal disorders that we know of. As disruptive as the symptoms can feel when trying to enjoy your everyday life, cultivating self-care practices that help you feel your best is absolutely key for coping with anything and everything life plans on throwing your way. Try some of these restorative, relaxing yoga poses the next time you're looking for a little relief.
A classic sun salutation often starts off a typical yoga class, and it technically has about 12 poses in total that create a short, energizing flow. Overall, it's a really great way to warm up the body, but it's also, apparently, really effective in aiding hormonal imbalance and improving blood flow throughout the body.
Balanced poses like tree pose help to both calm and focus the mind, and they're particularly great for when you're mentally feeling a bit off-balance.
These types of poses are thought to have a positive effect on how you approach life circumstances outside of your yoga practice. This can be really helpful if you're struggling with depression or mood swings, both of which can be symptoms that are part of coping with PCOS.
Child's pose is a relaxing and restorative posture that's really great for easing lower back and pelvic pain, both of which are often part of living with PCOS day-to-day.
Try melting into this pose with your knees spread apart if you need a little extra stretch in the pelvis.
Skin issues can be a real struggle that come along with the hormonal imbalances associated with PCOS, but believe it or not, inverted poses (aka poses that get your feet above your head) are thought to be good for treating acne, as they bring circulation and blood to the face, and are considered detoxifying.
Camel pose is thought to be energizing for the mind and body, as it opens the heart and increases blood flow to the organs. Poses that feel invigorating are going to be super helpful in battling any fatigue you might be feeling with PCOS.
If you've ever attended a yoga class, you may have tried this breathing technique once before. Admittedly, it feels a little strange to do at first, but it's actually a really powerful tool used in yoga that's both energizing and detoxifying for the body. Try it out in the middle of the day for a quick boost in your mood if you're feeling a little sluggish.
Remember, while PCOS symptoms can definitely feel overwhelming at times, there are so many ways to cope, and so many people who are happy to help you do so. You are never alone in this.
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