There is something that happens to many women during yoga inversions that can be really embarrassing and it does not get talked about nearly enough. Plus: why we practice differently during menstruation, and how yoga supports women\'s health through all life stages.
What Happens in Inversions?
There is something that happens to many women during Yoga inversions — it can be really embarrassing and it does not get talked about nearly enough. It is a noise of air, like suction or breaking wind, that can occur when the pelvis is inverted.
This is completely normal, has nothing to do with the digestive system, and happens because air enters the vaginal canal when the pelvis is above the heart. Understanding this can help women feel less embarrassed and more comfortable in their inversions.
Yoga and the Menstrual Cycle
At HIYC, female students are guided not to practise inverted yoga postures whilst they have their period. This is not a cultural taboo — it has a physiological basis. During menstruation, the natural downward flow of the body (apana vayu) is assisted by gravity. Inverting the body works against this natural flow.
Instead, during menstruation, HIYC recommends a modified practice: supported forward bends, gentle twists, and restorative poses that support the body\'s natural process rather than working against it.
Yoga Across All Life Stages
The Sharat Arora method is particularly well-suited to women\'s health because of its emphasis on alignment and therapeutic adjustment. The practice can be adapted for pregnancy, postpartum recovery, perimenopause and beyond.
Many women find that a regular practice significantly reduces the symptoms of hormonal fluctuation — mood swings, fatigue, anxiety — by regulating the endocrine system and calming the nervous system.
Transform Your Practice in the Himalayas
The transformation described in this article is available to you. Join us at the Himalayan Iyengar Yoga Centre in Dharamkot, Dharamsala.
